Multiple sclerosis, more commonly known as MS is an autoimmune disorder that causes the breakdown of the material that insulates the nerves. Just as damaged insulation surrounding a wire can cause electrical problems, damage to the central nervous system caused by MS can lead chronic fatigue, vision changes, neuropathic pain, depression and tremors.
The disease causes the immune system to attack the protective sheath that normally covers the nerve fibers called myelin. This disrupts communication from your nerves to your brain and can over time cause permanent damage to nerve fibers. While MS is a serious condition that cannot yet be cured, its progression can be slowed and symptoms managed with proper medical care.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with MS, you can rely on the team of providers at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Neurology to provide you with compassionate, high-quality care to help you navigate through your treatment.
Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
MS symptoms can vary greatly depending on where the worst nerve damage has occurred and how the course of the disease has developed. Because symptoms of MS are often similar to those of other, less severe neuropathies, your doctor will have to first rule out other possibilities before providing an MS diagnosis. Potential symptoms include:
- Issues with movement (weak or shaky limbs, tremors, lack of coordination)
- Numbness, tingling or shock-like neuropathic pain
- Vision loss, often accompanied by pain during eye movement
- Fatigue or weakness
- Mood changes like depression
- Trouble with bladder and bowel control
- Difficulty with memory and thinking
People with MS may experience intense symptoms for days or weeks with longer remission periods in between. In the early stages of the disease, it is possible but less typical to experience symptoms consistently without remission periods.
What causes MS?
The causes of MS are currently unknown. However, we do know that MS symptoms are created by damage to the protective coating, or myelin, surrounding the nerves in the body. It is not yet clear exactly what causes the disease to present in some people and not others, but researchers believe that a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors may contribute to MS being triggered.
Who’s at risk for MS?
There is an estimated one million people living with MS in the United States today. Anyone can be afflicted with MS, but it does occur in some individuals more than others. Some risk factors include:
- Age
Typically, the first onset of MS symptoms occurs in adults between 20 and 40 years old. - Family history
Individuals with parents or siblings who have MS are more likely to be diagnosed with MS themselves. - Sex
Women are more prone to have relapses of MS than men. - Certain autoimmune diseases
A slightly higher risk of developing MS is associated with other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or IBS. - Vitamin deficiency
MS has been linked to those with low levels of vitamin D and lack of exposure to sunlight. - Race
While the disease afflicts people of all background, those with lighter skin, especially descending from Northern Europe, have the highest risk of developing MS.
Additional risk factors include smoking, certain viral infections and climate.
How is MS diagnosed?
MS is diagnosed based on symptoms reported to your doctor along with physical and neurological examinations. Your doctor will ask you questions about your daily habits prior to the onset of your condition, establishing a detailed patient history to assist in the diagnosis. There are several tests that your doctor may order to rule out other disorders.
- MRI
This imaging can show areas of MS, known as lesions, on the spinal cord and brain. - Spinal tap
A spinal tap, or lumbar puncture, allows for the testing of cerebrospinal fluid, which can show changes in the antibodies linked to MS. - Blood testing
Blood tests can help rule out other diseases that have symptoms similar to MS. - Optical coherence tomography
This imaging checks for an MS condition called optic neuritis that can cause changes in the retina. - Electrical stimulus test
Also known as evoked potential tests, this testing records the response of your nervous system to stimuli.
Once MS is suspected, the diagnosis may be confirmed with an MRI scan or another type of imaging that checks for scarring in the brain caused by the breakdown of myelin.
How is Multiple Sclerosis treated?
There is currently no cure for MS. Treatment includes symptom management and aiding recovery from attacks. Additionally, medications can be prescribed to slow down the progression of the disease. Treatments for MS vary depending on symptoms, stage of the disease and your doctor’s recommendation.
Symptom Management
While MS does not have a cure, some medications have been found to reduce common symptoms of the disease. Your doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants, antidepressants, anti-fatigue medication or others that can target your specific symptoms. Many new therapies are being studied to lessen the impacts of the disease and its symptoms, talk with your doctor about what treatments will work best for you.
Episode Recovery
Medications to assist in MS attack recovery may be administered either orally or with injections. These medications work by reducing the inflammation of the nerves that occur in MS patients. Patients may also be treated with a plasma exchange if symptoms are severe and do not respond to steroids.
Slowing Progression
Medications that can slow the progression of the MS can also be administered orally or by injection. Some infusion medicines may be recommended based on your assessment. As always, you should consult with your doctor to determine the best course of action to slow your disease progression.
Supplemental Therapies
Your doctor may suggest visiting a physical or occupational therapist to help you manage the symptoms of your disease. Physical therapy can help improve muscle weakness and difficulty walking, and your therapist can show you how to use mobility aids to make daily tasks less difficult.
Choose NGPG for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
If you are a loved one experience difficulties related to multiple sclerosis, you deserve confidence in the care that you receive. Treatment for MS is constantly improving, so it’s important to choose the right provider who is aware of the latest updates and focuses on helping you find the best course of treatment for your case. At NGPG Neurology our board-certified neurologists collaborate with a team of neurosurgeons, neurointerventional surgeons, neuropsychiatrists and other specialists work to provide our patients with comprehensive care and access to the latest advancements. We strive to ensure that our patients have the treatment options they need to slow down the progression of their disease, minimize symptoms and maintain their independence.