When my husband was first experiencing symptoms of MS, the doctors told him it was “all in his head”. He also suffers from spinal arthritis. His whole spine is fused, from the top of the neck to the bottom of the spine. Often times, arthritis and MS go hand in hand. They are both auto-immune diseases. We live in Canada, and it took a trip to the Mayo Clinic to get a definite diagnosis. An MRI is usually what finally gives the affirmation, that, yes, you have MS. They say that MS is a very difficult disease to diagnose because it can mimmick so many other conditions. Ot times, MS is diagnosed only after all other options have been exhausted.

Multiple Sclerosis, also known more simply as MS, is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system. It has been found to affect more young adults during their most productive years. Doctors have found many factors that contribute to the onset of Multiple Sclerosis. These etiologies range from viral and autoimmune etiologies as well as genetic factors that are said to contribute to the disease. However, no specific cause of MS has been found. MS is characterized by the presence of areas of demyelination and T-cell predominant perivascular inflammation in the brain white matter. The disease usually begins wit the presence of acute or sub acute neurological abnormalities. These abnormalities vary in severity from person to person. In some people they may take years to present themselves while in other people they appear at a rapid rate. Most usually last for years.

There are many early symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. These symptoms include such things as numbness and/or paraesthesia and double vision. People in the early stages of MS have also been found to have bladder control problems. Other problems include such things as vertigo, incoordination and other cerebral problems. Some symptoms are not so obvious and are not linked specifically to this disease. These symptoms include depression, fatigue and pain that can be linked to any other type of disorder or disease.

There are several tests that can be done to check for the presence of Multiple Sclerosis. These include neurological findings, clinical observation and results of a MRI. A spinal fluid examination will also help to find if a person has MS or not.

The diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis can fall into one of many categories or classifications. It can either be benign, relapsing-remitting (the most common form), progressive-relapsing, primary progressive and secondary progressive. Once a person has been diagnosed with this disease other tests are taken to see where the person falls and in which category.

Unfortunately there is no corrective treatment for Multiple Sclerosis. There are however, a number of medications that are taken to help control the disease and to make life easier for those who suffer from it. The medications that are prescribed to a patient will depend on what symptoms that they suffer from.

About the Author

James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest. Read more at www.multiple-sclerosis-central.info