How to Tell If You Have Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
MS has many symptoms and requires proper diagnosis
MS has many symptoms and requires proper diagnosis
Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system and can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, trouble walking and vision problems.
Early signs of MS can look like other illnesses, so it’s important to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. If your primary care doctor suspects you may have MS, they may refer you to a neurologist.
“If you have symptoms of multiple sclerosis, it’s important to see a doctor for an evaluation. Without treatment, MS symptoms can get worse,” says Louis Goodrich, DO, a neurologist at Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines and Scripps Clinic Encinitas. “However, there are many new treatments that can help to manage symptoms, slow down progression of the disease and improve quality of life for people with MS,” he says.
How MS affects the central nervous system
MS happens when the immune system attacks the central nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. This damages the protective layer around nerve cells known as the myelin sheath.
“The attack causes scars or lesions, making it hard for your brain to communicate with your body and affecting functions like vision, sensation and movement,” Dr. Goodrich says.
Around one million people in the United States have MS, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MS is three times more common in women than men, with diagnosis usually made as young adults.
The exact reason for MS is not known. Studies show that exposure to certain viruses, like Epstein-Barr, may increase a person’s risk of developing MS. Other risk factors for MS include having low levels of vitamin D in the blood.
Scripps is a Partner for MS Care with the Multiple Sclerosis Society, a designation given to health care providers who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in treating people with MS.
Types of MS
The most common types of MS are:
- Clinically isolated syndrome (may or may not recur)
- Relapsing remitting (most common, attacks come and go)
- Primary progressive (slow and steady worsening of strength)
- Secondary progressive (starts as relapsing remitting and later gradually worsens)
About 85% of people with MS have relapsing-remitting MS. Most people diagnosed with this type of MS are in their 20s and 30s. Symptoms or flare-ups may last for days or weeks before improving. The period between attacks is known as remission. Over time, recovery may not be complete, leading to a progressive decline in function and increased disability.
What are the symptoms of MS?
There is a long list of possible MS symptoms, and they vary from person to person. Symptoms depend on where in the central nervous system the MS attack causes damage.
Common symptoms of MS include:
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Spasticity (muscle tightness or spasms)
- Difficulty walking (gait)
- Bowel problems
- Bladder problems
- Sexual dysfunction
- Cognitive and memory problems
- Speech disorders
- Vision problems (optic neuritis)
- Eye movement problems
“The symptoms of MS represent loss of function in the part of the central nervous system that is damaged by lesions,” Dr. Goodrich says. “Some people may first notice blurry vision with pain in one eye. Others may feel numbness or weakness in an arm or leg.”
How is MS diagnosed?
Diagnosing MS is not simple, and no single test can diagnose it. Doctors rely on medical history, physical exams and various tests to make a diagnosis. The neurologist typically orders MRIs of the brain and spinal cord to look for lesions characteristic of MS. MRIs are also used to monitor the disease’s progression.
“When a patient complains of symptoms that suggest MS, the first step is to rule out other possible causes,” Dr. Goodrich says.
How is MS treated?
There is no cure for MS, but treatments can help manage symptoms, prevent relapses and slow the disease’s progression. Most of the current medications are for patients with relapsing-remitting MS.
A holistic treatment plan for MS includes medication, physical therapy and mental health counseling. Medications can help prevent relapses and new lesions.
“New treatments have greatly improved the outlook for MS patients. In the past, MS would often disable people within 10 years of diagnosis. But now, treatments have improved and changed the outlook for patients. Newly diagnosed patients can now expect to live a fairly normal life,” Dr. Goodrich says.