NASCAR driver Trevor Bayne diagnosed with multiple sclerosis

Jacque Wilson, CNN
Updated 4:18 PM EST, Tue November 12, 2013
Actress Selma Blair was diagnosed with MS in 2018 but said her symptoms started after the birth of her son in 2011.
Photos: Famous people with multiple sclerosis
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Actress Selma Blair was diagnosed with MS in 2018 but said her symptoms started after the birth of her son in 2011.
Comedian, actor, and voice actor Jonathan Katz said he initially began experiencing MS symptoms in 1996.
Photos: Famous people with multiple sclerosis
Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images
Comedian, actor, and voice actor Jonathan Katz said he initially began experiencing MS symptoms in 1996.
TV personality Jack Osbourne was diagnosed with MS in 2012, just weeks after the birth of his daughter.
Photos: Famous people with multiple sclerosis
Larry Busacca/NARAS/Getty Images
TV personality Jack Osbourne was diagnosed with MS in 2012, just weeks after the birth of his daughter.
"Sopranos" actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler, 34, revealed that she has multiple sclerosis in People magazine. She told the magazine she was diagnosed with the disease when she was 20.
Photos: Famous people with multiple sclerosis
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Art of Elysium
"Sopranos" actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler, 34, revealed that she has multiple sclerosis in People magazine. She told the magazine she was diagnosed with the disease when she was 20.
NASCAR driver Trevor Bayne announced that he was <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/12/health/trevor-bayne-multiple-sclerosis/index.html">diagnosed </a>in 2013. The chronic disease affects the central nervous system, often causing pain, numbness in the limbs and a loss of vision.
Photos: Famous people with multiple sclerosis
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
NASCAR driver Trevor Bayne announced that he was diagnosed in 2013. The chronic disease affects the central nervous system, often causing pain, numbness in the limbs and a loss of vision.
Actress Teri Garr was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999. Garr might be best known for her roles in the iconic 1980s films "Mr. Mom" and "Tootsie."
Photos: Famous people with multiple sclerosis
Columbia Pictures Industries
Actress Teri Garr was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999. Garr might be best known for her roles in the iconic 1980s films "Mr. Mom" and "Tootsie."
It has been more than 15 years since musician Clay Walker was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He says he's learned to <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/07/health/human-factor-walker/">manage his condition</a> by eating a healthy diet, exercising and taking his medication.
Photos: Famous people with multiple sclerosis
Ethan Miller/ACMA/Getty Images
It has been more than 15 years since musician Clay Walker was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He says he's learned to manage his condition by eating a healthy diet, exercising and taking his medication.
Josh Harding, formerly a goaltender with the NHL's Minnesota Wild, was diagnosed with MS at the age of 28.
Photos: Famous people with multiple sclerosis
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Josh Harding, formerly a goaltender with the NHL's Minnesota Wild, was diagnosed with MS at the age of 28.
Singer Alan Osmond, left, and his son David Osmond both live with multiple sclerosis.
Photos: Famous people with multiple sclerosis
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Singer Alan Osmond, left, and his son David Osmond both live with multiple sclerosis.
Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1997.
Photos: Famous people with multiple sclerosis
Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images
Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1997.
Talk-show host Montel Williams was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999. Williams said then that he had been misdiagnosed for 10 years.
Photos: Famous people with multiple sclerosis
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Talk-show host Montel Williams was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999. Williams said then that he had been misdiagnosed for 10 years.
Noah "40" Shebib, a Canadian hip-hop producer who has collaborated with artists such as Drake and Lil Wayne, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in his early 20s.
Photos: Famous people with multiple sclerosis
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
Noah "40" Shebib, a Canadian hip-hop producer who has collaborated with artists such as Drake and Lil Wayne, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in his early 20s.
David Lander, left, who played Squiggy on TV's "Laverne & Shirley," hid his diagnosis for 15 years "primarily because I didn't think show business would embrace the fact that I have a chronic disease known as multiple sclerosis," he said in a 2001 <a href="http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0105/17/lad.08.html">interview with CNN</a>.
Photos: Famous people with multiple sclerosis
ABC Photo Archives/ABC/Getty Images
David Lander, left, who played Squiggy on TV's "Laverne & Shirley," hid his diagnosis for 15 years "primarily because I didn't think show business would embrace the fact that I have a chronic disease known as multiple sclerosis," he said in a 2001 interview with CNN.
Ann Romney, wife of former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, was diagnosed with MS in 1998.
Photos: Famous people with multiple sclerosis
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Ann Romney, wife of former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, was diagnosed with MS in 1998.
Ten years ago, singer Tamia Hill was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She has recorded four albums since.
Photos: Famous people with multiple sclerosis
Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Ten years ago, singer Tamia Hill was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She has recorded four albums since.
Chris Wright was the first-known NBA player with multiple sclerosis. The former Dallas Maverick now plays professionally in Israel.
Photos: Famous people with multiple sclerosis
Brandon Wade/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT/Getty Images
Chris Wright was the first-known NBA player with multiple sclerosis. The former Dallas Maverick now plays professionally in Israel.

Story highlights

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system

Doctors have cleared Trevor Bayne, 22, to compete, his racing team says

There is no cure for MS, but patients can manage symptoms with medication, healthy lifestyle

CNN —  

NASCAR driver Trevor Bayne has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, according to his racing team.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system, often causing pain, numbness in the limbs and a loss of vision. Symptoms vary by patient and can disappear for months at a time, making it difficult to diagnose early on.

Doctors have cleared Bayne, 22, to compete, said a statement by Roush Fenway Racing.

“I am in the best shape I’ve ever been in, and I feel good,” Bayne said. “There are currently no symptoms and I’m committed to continuing to take the best care of my body as possible.”

Bayne was the youngest driver in NASCAR history to win the Daytona 500 in 2011. He said he plans to race in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship in 2014.

Daytona 500 fast facts

Scientists do not know what causes multiple sclerosis, according to the Mayo Clinic, although a person’s risk increases if a family member has the disease.

Women are more likely than men to develop the disease, and it affects Caucasians more than other ethnic groups. More than 2.3 million people worldwide have been diagnosed, according to the National MS Society.

With MS, the body’s immune system destroys a fatty substance called myelin that protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This causes communication problems between the brain and body, according to the Mayo Clinic, and may damage the nerves permanently.

There is currently no cure for MS. Doctors focus treatment on managing the patient’s symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease with medication, physical therapy and an overall healthy lifestyle, such as getting plenty of sleep and eating right. Stress can trigger MS symptoms, so patients often do yoga or meditate to relieve anxiety.

As the disease progresses, patients may experience extreme fatigue, balance problems and muscle weakness. Occasionally MS will lead to partial or full paralysis. It is not normally fatal; most patients with MS have “a normal or near-normal life expectancy,” the National MS Society says.