Multiple sclerosis (MS), which is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, currently affects around one million individuals in the U.S. The condition occurs when the protective coverings around your nerves become damaged or destroyed, forming scar tissue known as sclerosis. This damage can affect how your nerves function, causing an array of physical and cognitive issues. Speak with a Bayhealth neurology expert about MS.
Signs and Symptoms
Exact symptoms of MS (and how intense they are) vary from patient to patient, although most individuals affected by the condition experience some or all of the following.
Symptoms of MS can be mild or severe, short-term or long-term, and include cognitive issues such as poor concentration, memory loss and impaired judgment. Some individuals may lose the ability to write, speak or walk. Speak with a neurology expert at Bayhealth about MS.
Risk Factors
While exact causes of MS aren’t always clear, some factors may increase the risk of developing the condition at some point in your life. Those risk factors include the following.
- Age: Although MS can occur at any age, onset most commonly occurs between the ages of 20 and 40.
- Gender: Women are twice as likely to develop MS compared to men.
- Race and Ethnicity: White individuals of Northern European descent have the highest rates of MS, for unclear reasons.
- Genetics: MS can develop in anyone, but it commonly occurs in individuals whose family has a history of the condition.
- Other Conditions: Several viruses and autoimmune diseases are known to increase your risk of developing MS, including thyroid disease, pernicious anemia and Epstein-Barr, an autoimmune disease that causes infectious mononucleosis.
How We Diagnose Multiple Sclerosis
Our experts use the following procedures to diagnose MS.
- Blood Work: A blood test may reveal signs of multiple sclerosis as well as rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A combination of a magnetic field and radio waves creates three-dimensional images of specific areas of your body.
- Computerized Tomography (CT): Certified experts use computer-processed X-rays to generate a scan of your body in “slices” to create highly accurate images.
- Lumbar Puncture: During this procedure, a small amount of fluid is extracted from your spinal canal for analysis in a pathology lab. Also known as a spinal tap, the lumbar puncture can determine if an underlying illness is causing your symptoms.
- Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Analysis: This test involves extracting a sample of cerebrospinal fluid, which is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, for evidence of any abnormalities that may affect the central nervous system.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Test: An imaging test that uses reflected light to create detailed, three-dimensional images of your eye, the OCT test can detect MS-related damage to your eyes and vision.
- Evoked Potential (EP) Test: Using electrodes attached to your head or other parts of your body, an EP test measures electrical activity in your central nervous system in response to stimuli such as light, sound and touch.
Treatment Options
Because there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, treatment approaches tend to focus on promoting your physical comfort and emotional health. Depending on several factors—including your age, medical history and identifiable symptoms—our neurology experts may prescribe the following therapies to address your condition.
- Physical Therapy: Depending on how MS has impacted your body, our experts may suggest various forms of rehab. These treatments can restore your body’s functions by addressing issues around mobility, muscle weakness, speech decline and incontinence.
- Medications: An array of medications could be prescribed to target specific symptoms caused by MS. Since each patient experiences the condition differently, your drug regimen depends on your symptoms, as well as your age and medical history.
For cases of MS with physical symptoms that affect how you move, our experts may prescribe assistive walking devices such as canes or walkers. Schedule an appointment to speak with a neurologist, or learn more about neurological conditions treated at Bayhealth.
