Our nervous system acts as an alarm system, sending signals about what is happening throughout the body and alerting us to dangers.

However, with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease, the protective cover that surrounds nerve cells is removed, leading to issues in the central nervous system.  

Dr. Nina Bozinov, an MS specialist at Kootenai Health, said vision loss, numbness, tingling, mood changes, memory problems, pain, fatigue or even bowel or bladder issues can be among the symptoms.

“It kind of disrupts that signal," Bozinov said. "One of the biggest challenges in MS is that where the spots happen can determine what symptoms happen.”  

Coeur d’Alene Fire Chief Tom Greif was diagnosed with MS in 2019. He spoke of his diagnosis at the Coeur d’Alene City Council meeting Tuesday, when a city proclamation declared MS Week from March 8 to 14.   

When he first learned he had it, even though he had been a paramedic for years, he had to look it up to learn more. 

“It was life-changing for me and my family,” Greif said. 

He first struggled coming to terms with it. He credited the support of family, friends and medical professionals for seeing him through. 

"I feel like I'm back to a point where I don't think about it as much. But it gave me a different perspective on this job," he told The Press in a previous interview.

Bozinov said of the 1 million Americans with MS, 6,700 people in Idaho have it. The Idaho Panhandle’s northern latitude is believed to contribute to higher MS prevalence in this region.

“MS today is not what we think of in decades past," Bozinov said. "Now that we have more treatments available, it may be more difficult to identify people living with this condition. There are ongoing silent challenges."  

There was a gap in MS specialists in North Idaho between 2017 and 2020, before Bozinov joined Kootenai Health.  

“I am the only fellowship-trained MS specialist in this part of the state,” Bozinov said.    

In addition to North Idaho patients, she treats patients from Washington and Montana. 

During this MS week and national awareness month in March, Bozinov hopes others can support community members living with MS and their caregivers.  

“There are patient champions that are willing to get out there and share their stories,” she said.  

Early diagnosis can lessen the side effects of the lifelong condition.

“It allows us to stop the attacks from happening, which is the ultimate goal,” Bozinov said. 

The next free MS educational event in North Idaho is scheduled May 17, at the Kootenai Health Resource Center, 2003 Kootenai Health Way.

Bozinov hopes that eventually, MS will be able to be diagnosed through a blood test instead of a combination of medical history, physical exam, MRIs and a spinal tap. 

“We still don’t really know the cause and that’s one of the reasons we haven’t yet determined a cure,” Bozinov said.