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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. It reduces muscle control by damaging the ability of nerve cells to conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain. Symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe and often worsen over time.
Patients with MS experience progressive damage to the myelin sheath, a fatty tissue that surrounds and protects nerve fibers. This damage forms scar tissue which interferes with nerve cells as they carry messages between the brain and muscles.
We are not yet certain what triggers the onset of MS, but possible causes include immune system disorders, viruses and environmental and genetic factors. There is no cure for MS, but there are many treatment options to manage existing symptoms, delay the onset of new ones and preserve the patient’s independence as much as possible.
MS symptoms can vary widely between patients and over time. Some patients may have only mild symptoms while others might experience more severe or debilitating ones. They may last a long time or disappear quickly. This makes them hard to predict.
Initial symptoms: For many MS patients, early signs and symptoms involve sensory distortions. These can include blurry or double vision (or loss of vision), red and green color distortion, eye pain, difficulty walking and/or numbness, prickling, or "pins and needles" in the extremities.
As MS progresses, symptoms can increase beyond sensory distortions to include other physical problems. These could occur individually or in combination. Common symptoms could include:
Cognitive symptoms: About half of MS patients also experience changes in their cognitive functioning. These can include depression as well as problems with memory, concentration, judgment or attention.
Secondary symptoms: Sometimes the physical symptoms of MS can cause other problems that are not a direct result of the disease itself. For example, paralysis can cause bedsores. Inactivity can result in muscle imbalance, weakness, poor alignment, reduced bone density and shallow breathing. Bladder problems can cause urinary tract infections.
If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms and has not seen a physician about them, see a neurologist as soon as possible for an evaluation. If the evaluation indicates an MS diagnosis, there are many treatment and rehabilitation options available to help the patient adapt and improve functioning.
The individual symptoms of MS can be similar to those of other conditions, so patients should always consult a doctor for a diagnosis. Although there is no definitive test to diagnose MS, it is possible to arrive at a diagnosis with reasonable certainty by conducting an MS evaluation.
MS Characteristics
The MS Evaluation: If a patient meets these two criteria, a formal evaluation is warranted. The evaluation starts with a complete medical history and neurological exam. The patient is checked for balance, emotional and sensory functioning, language, mental acuity, movement, coordination and vision. The evaluation may also include a series of medical diagnostic procedures, including:
To learn more about the medical procedures used to diagnose MS, including MRI and other technologies, click on Diagnostic Testing.
There are several steps patients can take in consultation with the medical team to slow the progression of MS, treat flare-ups and attacks, manage symptoms and improve functioning and mobility.
When the diagnosis of MS is made, the physician will determine a course of treatment that’s based on several factors. These include:
The course of treatment will probably include a combination of medications, clinical trials of new therapies, assistive technology and rehabilitation.
Although there are limited treatment options for MS, there is much that can be done to improve the daily lives of MS patients through rehabilitation, including adaptation, assistive technologies, exercise and more.
Rehabilitation for patients with MS can take many forms, depending upon the range, type, severity, and progression of symptoms. Typically, rehabilitation efforts actively promote the involvement of family members in addition to the patient. The goals of a personalized MS rehabilitation program revolve around helping the patient to enjoy as much independence as possible, for as long as possible.
Some elements of an MS rehabilitation program focus on adapting the home environment to maximize the patient’s function, safety, accessibility and mobility. The program might also establish a customized exercise program that promotes muscle strength, endurance and control. For patients with difficulty speaking, there are programs to improve communication skills. Other rehabilitation programs can address specific issues like:
MS is one of many conditions we treat at Baptist Neurology Group. Learn about various diagnostic testing procedures and treatment options. Or make an appointment to see one of our top-rated neurologists. We have offices conveniently located throughout the Jacksonville area.