Description An autoimmune disor...
Description
An autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Nerve cells normally are surrounded by an insulating sheath made of a fatty substance called myelin that helps to transmit nerve impulses. In MS, this myelin sheath is inflamed or damaged. This disrupts or slows nerve impulses and causes nerves to malfunction. Scarring (sclerosis) occurs in the white matter of the brain and spinal cord. These areas of myelin damage and scarring are called MS plaques. The disease periodically flares up with episodes of increased symptoms. The disease can be mild, and non-progressive disease, can slowly get worse, or get worse rapidly. It is slightly more common in women between the ages of 20 to 40.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary widely. They may come and go or remain permanently. Symptoms include impaired vision, numbness, weakness, decreased coordination, poor balance, halting speech, muscle spasms (especially in the legs), muscle spasticity, impaired bladder function.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Diagnosis is made by ruling out other conditions. Tests that are used to confirm multiple sclerosis include: Head MRI scan, spine MRI, lumbar puncture (spinal tap), cerebrospinal fluid tests including CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) oligoclonal banding.
Tests:
CT Scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Other Specific Tests: Lumbar puncture (spinal tap), cerebrospinal fluid tests including CSF oligoclonal banding
Specialists:
Neurology, Pediatric Neurology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (physiatry)
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Diagnosis is made by ruling out other conditions. Tests that are used to confirm multiple sclerosis include: Head MRI scan, spine MRI, lumbar puncture (spinal tap), cerebrospinal fluid tests including CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) oligoclonal banding.
Tests:
CT Scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Other Specific Tests: Lumbar puncture (spinal tap), cerebrospinal fluid tests including CSF oligoclonal banding
Specialists:
Neurology, Pediatric Neurology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (physiatry)
Treatment
There is no definitive cure, but new treatments can help slow the progression of the disease. Medications that alter the immune response include: immune modulators such as interferon (Avonex, Betaseron, or Rebif), monoclonal antibodies (Tysabri), and glatiramer acetate (Copaxone). Short courses of a corticosteroid (prednisone) can decrease the severity of attacks. Medicines to reduce muscle spasms include baclofen (Lioresal), tizanidine (Zanaflex), or a benzodiazepine such as diazepam (Valium).