Multiple sclerosis is defined on dictionary.com as "a chronic degenerative, often episodic disease of the central nervous system marked by patchy destruction of the myelin that surrounds and insulates nerve fibers, usually appearing in young adulthood and manifested by one or more mild to severe neural and muscular impairments, as spastic weakness in one or more limbs, local sensory losses, bladder dysfunction, or visual disturbances."
MS is a disease that affects the central nervous system by impeding the flow of information from the brain to rest of the body. It is often unpredictable and can be very disabling. Sclerosis refers to the scarring process on the brain, spine and optic nerves. Multiple sclerosis can be translated as "many scars."
MS is a disease that affects the central nervous system by impeding the flow of information from the brain to rest of the body. It is often unpredictable and can be very disabling. Sclerosis refers to the scarring process on the brain, spine and optic nerves. Multiple sclerosis can be translated as "many scars."
Symptoms
The more common symptoms of MS are fatigue, numbness or tingling, vision problems, pain, walking difficulties, emotional and cognitive changes, depression, bladder or bowel problems, dizziness and vertigo, and spasticity (usually in the legs a feeling of stiffness of muscle spasm). Less common symptoms include: seizures, breathing or speech problems, itching, difficulty swallowing, tremors, headache and possible hearing loss.
Click here for more symptom information from the National MS Society webpage.
The more common symptoms of MS are fatigue, numbness or tingling, vision problems, pain, walking difficulties, emotional and cognitive changes, depression, bladder or bowel problems, dizziness and vertigo, and spasticity (usually in the legs a feeling of stiffness of muscle spasm). Less common symptoms include: seizures, breathing or speech problems, itching, difficulty swallowing, tremors, headache and possible hearing loss.
Click here for more symptom information from the National MS Society webpage.
Diagnosis
Unfortunately, there is no one single method to test whether or not a person has MS. A doctor will use a combination of strategies including an MRI, a patients medical history, evoked potentials (a test that measures the brains reaction to stimulation of the nerves), and a spinal fluid analysis. There are three areas of criteria in order for a doctor to make a diagnosis of MS:
Unfortunately, there is no one single method to test whether or not a person has MS. A doctor will use a combination of strategies including an MRI, a patients medical history, evoked potentials (a test that measures the brains reaction to stimulation of the nerves), and a spinal fluid analysis. There are three areas of criteria in order for a doctor to make a diagnosis of MS:
- Find evidence of damage in at least two separate areas of the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves AND
- Find evidence that the damage occurred at least one month apart AND
- Rule out all other possible diagnoses
Treatment
Multiple sclerosis is a very complex disease and therefore requires and varied approach for treatment. The major focuses are to manage the symptoms using medication and rehab. Attempt to modify the course of the disease using medications that help reduce relapses, may slow down possible disability, and to reduce the build up of lesions. Treat exaberations using high-dose corticosteroids aiding in the reduction of the swelling. Providing emotional support to support, diagnose and treat possible anxiety, mood changes or depression that can occur in MS. Lastly is to promote function using rehabilitation techniques. These techniques and programs are designed to help with basic fitness as well as focusing on areas in cognitive and vocational rehabilitation, physical and speech therapy, swallowing problems, and more. Currently there are 10 FDA approved medications to assist in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis is a very complex disease and therefore requires and varied approach for treatment. The major focuses are to manage the symptoms using medication and rehab. Attempt to modify the course of the disease using medications that help reduce relapses, may slow down possible disability, and to reduce the build up of lesions. Treat exaberations using high-dose corticosteroids aiding in the reduction of the swelling. Providing emotional support to support, diagnose and treat possible anxiety, mood changes or depression that can occur in MS. Lastly is to promote function using rehabilitation techniques. These techniques and programs are designed to help with basic fitness as well as focusing on areas in cognitive and vocational rehabilitation, physical and speech therapy, swallowing problems, and more. Currently there are 10 FDA approved medications to assist in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
This brief overview was a collection of information from the National MS Society website. For more detailed information please visit http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ and help spread the word about this debilitating disease.