Common Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

The symptomatic spectrum of multiple sclerosis can be very diverse, involving different manifestations according to the affected body regions. Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory neurological disease, causing dysfunctions mainly at the level of the central nervous system. Due to the fact that multiple sclerosis affects the nervous system, people with this form of neurological disease can in time experience symptoms in most innervated regions of the body.

An estimated number of over 2 million people worldwide suffer from multiple sclerosis, while in the United States the disease affects around 350.000 people. For some reason, multiple sclerosis predominantly affects the female gender. Although the disease can also be developed by men, multiple sclerosis is very common in women. Another interesting characteristic of multiple sclerosis is that it commonly affects young people. The disease has the highest incidence in people with ages between 20 and 40, rarely affecting the elderly.

Multiple sclerosis involves damage of the nervous cells, destroying myelin, a substance that normally covers neurons. Myelin has a vital role in transmitting nervous impulses throughout the entire body, establishing connections between the neighboring nervous cells. When the layers of myelin are affected, nervous impulses travel at reduced speed between neurons and the body is unable to adequately respond to external stimuli.

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are diversified and they can be perceived in different regions of the body. Most patients have individualized symptoms of multiple sclerosis, and they tend to occur in episodes, or "flares". The evolution of multiple sclerosis is unpredictable, alternating between stages of remission and stages of relapse. Most people with multiple sclerosis experience intermittent, recidivating symptoms which amplify in the stages of recurrence. Considering the fact that the symptoms of multiple sclerosis are various and at certain stages of the disease unspecific, multiple sclerosis can't be diagnosed only upon clinical manifestations. Multiple sclerosis is usually diagnosed upon laboratory tests, blood analyses and elaborate neurological examinations.

Common, generalized symptoms of multiple sclerosis are: pronounced fatigue, body weakness, sensations of tingling, burning, pain, itching and numbness of the muscles, loss of dexterity and uncoordinated body movement. Other physical symptoms of multiple sclerosis are: decreased vision, loss of mobility, shaking, spasms, tremors, poor balance, dizziness, vertigo. In later stages of the disease, the symptoms of multiple sclerosis can include partial paralysis, renal and gastrointestinal dysfunctions.

Neuropsychological symptoms of multiple sclerosis are: mental confusion; altered, inaccurate perceptions; poor concentration; short-term memory loss; compromised judgment and unpredictable, sudden changes of mood. A symptom of multiple sclerosis that commonly occurs in people with this form of neurological disease is depression. Most people affected by multiple sclerosis eventually become depressed and avoid any kind of interaction with other people.

Although many symptoms of multiple sclerosis can be very pronounced at certain stages of the disease, they can be alleviated through the means of medical treatment. Medical treatments available today are able to ease the symptoms of multiple sclerosis in the periods of relapse and in time they can even help the reconstruction of myelin, thus helping patients to recover from the disease. It is important to timely discover the symptoms of multiple sclerosis in order to begin the administration of an appropriate medical treatment before the disease becomes serious.

Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

While many patients go undiagnosed during the early stages of MS, the primary progressive multiple sclerosis symptoms are often what drives them to seek a diagnosis. This is generally because in the early or relapsing remitting stage the average person is likely to experience a single exacerbation that is mild in nature and they may not have another for months or even years. In most cases these symptoms go completely ignored.

Common Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

One of the most common and easily identifiable symptoms of primary progressive multiple sclerosis is the slow onset of mobility issues. The typical patient will start to have problems walking that will gradually worsen over time. According to research approximately 80-90 percent of all MS patients will exhibit this problem. Among the difficulties noticed is a spastic gait that is characterized by the leg muscles stiffening up and causing a noticeable limp or jerky walking gait.

In many patients there is distinct spastic hemiparesis, which presents itself as a weakness or loss of use of one side of the body, either in the arms or legs. This can make it difficult to hold onto things and can cause a person to appear clumsy, experience excessive stiffness, stumble and fall down unexpectedly. An MRI scan of the brain may not show any lesions at this point, but may show atrophy of the spinal cord.

Rare Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

Approximately 10% of all patients will exhibit tremors and imbalance as primary progressive multiple sclerosis symptoms. Medically termed Progressive Cerebellar Syndrome, it is characterized by excessive shaking of the hands that makes it very difficult to perform any kind of small movement. Many patients begin to see a noticeable loss of muscle tone and begin to have problems with their balance. Other symptoms include a lack of coordination, a staggered walk and an inability to perform rapid movements that alternate.

Among the rarest primary progressive multiple sclerosis symptoms, are Brainstem Syndrome which manifests as problems swallowing, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and a nystagmus. Approximately 1% of all patients may suffer a loss of vision that gets progressive worse. The same percentage of patients may begin to have a loss of cognitive and verbal skills. These symptoms are likely due to inflammation of the brain and an MRI is likely to reveal a brain scan than looks similar to that of someone in the secondary progressive stage of MS.

Multiple Sclerosis - An Overview Of This Debilitating Condition

You may have heard about the disease normally known as Multiple Sclerosis - but what is it and what causes it?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system. First described by Jean-Martin Charcot in 1868, MS(formerly known as disseminated sclerosis) is more common in women than in men and typically affects - depending on country and actual population - between 2 and 150 people per 100,000. The disease usually has its onset in early adulthood.

The disease affects the 'white matter' of the brain. Cells in white matter - present in the brain and spinal cord - carry signals for processing to 'grey matter' areas and also between these areas and the rest of the body. MS affects the neurons in the white matter - specifically destroying the cells known as 'oligodendrocytes' that are cells responsible for creating the 'myelin sheath' - a fatty layer that assists the neurons in the carrying of electrical signals.

The effect of the disease thins or destroys the myelin, though it can also cut the neuron's extensions or 'axons'. With loss of the myelin, the neurons cannot continue to effectively transmit their electrical signals, giving rise to the symptoms of the disease. The name 'Multiple Sclerosis' actually refers to plaques or lesions in the white matter - also called scleroses (scars). The loss of myelin in scarred regions cause some of the symptoms of the disease, which vary widely depending on just which signals are interrupted or lost.

MS appears in several forms, including progressive (accumulative) and relapsing (discrete) forms. Symptoms may disappear completely between attacks but permanent neurological issues tend to persist, particularly as the disease advances.

The cause of MS is unknown, despite much being known about the actual way the disease works upon the human body. The general opinion is that it is caused by attacks by the immune system upon the body's own nervous system. Other theories claim that it is metabolically dependent whilst still others cite a virus as the cause. Still others claim that, as MS is almost unknown in tropical regions it may be caused by a lack of vitamin D in childhood.

Sadly, there is no cure -yet! - for Multiple Sclerosis and treatments tend to focus on returning function and mobility after an attack, the prevention of further attacks and the avoidance of disability. Many patients pursue 'alternative medicine' remedies, despite there being little evidence of effectiveness.

The expected course of the disease (prognosis) depends on exactly which type of the disease is present, initial symptoms, individual characteristics and degrees of disability experienced or likely to be tolerated by the sufferer. The life expectancy of people with MS is, however, virtually identical with healthy, unaffected people and in many cases a near-normal life is possible.

If for any reason you suspect that you may be affected by Multiple Sclerosis, a visit to your doctor or specialist is of paramount importance - if indeed you do have this illness, early diagnosis is immensely important to your future well-being.

Optic Neuritis Symptoms - Vision Problems Associated With MS

One of the more multiple sclerosis symptoms is optic neuritis. There are over 50 documented symptoms of multiple sclerosis and due the nature of the disease the chances of any two patients experiencing exactly the same symptoms are extremely minute. Vision problems however are one of the earliest symptoms of MS and can range from blurry vision to double vision and even temporary blindness. If you find yourself experiencing sudden changes in your vision you should seek prompt medical help from your doctor.

Before we look at the symptoms of optic neuritis as it relates to multiple sclerosis, you should first know that optic neuritis is the medical term for the swelling of the optic nerve. There can be several different causes for this condition along with an equal number of treatments available to take care of the problem. It is considered a very common symptom of MS because there is a high possibility of the diseases causing lesions to form around the optic nerve which would create inflammation and swelling.

What are the Symptoms of Optic Neuritis?

1. Pain: Most people describe the pain as a burning sensation behind one eye. This pain occurs in at least 90% of all people with optic neuritis and will usually go away in a couple of days as the swelling goes down.

2. Loss of Visual Acuity: Many patients with this problem suffer from some form of vision problems including but not limited to blurry vision, an absence of color or seeing too much of a one color, a reduction in the amount of light they see, Phosphenes or flashes of light that occur when they move their eyes or a blank spot or scotoma in the middle of the vision of the affected eye.

3. One Eye: These symptoms usually only occur in one eye, if you are experiencing the problem in both eyes you probably have a different problem

4. Onset time: In most cases the problems occur over a very short period of time hitting their peak within 24 to 48 hours.

How Common is Optic Neuritis?

In patients who have multiple sclerosis, research shows that approximately 30-40% of all patients will exhibit some symptoms of optic neuritis at some time in their lives. In many cases it is the one symptom that is responsible for helping their doctor to make the diagnosis of MS. Studies show that of all the people that have a single episode of optic neuritis and average of 50-60% of them will eventually be diagnosed with MS.

With this in mind if you exhibit any of the symptoms of optic neuritis, you should talk to your doctor about being tested for multiple sclerosis. The earlier this disease is detected the better your chances of getting started on a treatment that can help slow down or stop the progression are.

What Are The Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

Multiple sclerosis is a difficult illness that affects more than one million people. Those affected loose control over their senses, because multiple sclerosis attacks the central nervous system, which processes the signals sent from the nerves in the body, making us able to touch, see, smell and everything else.

These nerves are protected by a membrane called myelin. When a patient has multiple sclerosis, the central nervous system sends the white blood cells and antibodies against the myelin, damaging it and causing a temporary loss of the sense involved. Antibodies together with white blood cells are cells that the central nervous system controls, and that are designed to fight viruses, bacteria, and infections that enter the body. Multiple sclerosis interferes with the normal defense process and makes the central nervous system confuse normal body cells with viruses and send the guardians cells attack them.

Why does this happen? The cause of multiple sclerosis is not known yes, research is still in progress and scientists hope to find the causes soon.

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are very different from one patient to another, because they depend on which of the senses is affected by the multiple sclerosis attack. However there are some general symptoms that appear at many of those suffering from multiple sclerosis. Among these more general symptoms the most common are:

-loss of strength and dexterity

-mood swings, the patient can feel euphoria and the sadness and depression

-general state of weakness and fatigue

-memory loss

-balance loss

The others symptoms depend on the sense that is affected.

If the visual sense in involved then blurred vision, temporary loss of vision, double vision, eye pain and disability to distinguish colors occurs.

If the motor system gets attacked the patient experiences involuntary leg and hand movement, sudden loss of strength and balance, temporary paralysis, problems while speaking or shaking and tremor.

Other particular symptoms are acid reflux, memory loss, irregular bowel activity, respiratory issues and sometimes seizures.

Symptoms vary very much so it's quite difficult for doctors to recognize multiple sclerosis. If you experience any of the things mentioned above visit a doctor for a complete series of tests and evaluation that can help find if you have multiple sclerosis or not. If you are diagnosed with this illness you must begin therapy at once. Unfortunately multiple sclerosis cannot be cured, the only thing that can be done to help patients with it is to relieve its symptoms and to try to reduce the intensity of the attacks or completely stop them if possible.

Multiple Sclerosis - The Possible Causes of Multiple Sclerosis

While no one cause has been identified when it comes to the development of multiple sclerosis or MS there are many possible causes that could result in the onset of this autoimmune disease.

Medical professionals such as neurologists, general doctors, and even medical researchers have studied this condition at depth for several years. In the course of these studies, they have established that there are many possible causes associated with multiple sclerosis.

While there are four individual theories behind the cause of this condition, there are many doctors that strongly believe that when a person experiences this condition that all four theories may be to blame at once. In this health guide, you will learn about the theories that have been established pertaining to the onset of MS.

Genetics

One of the first theories pertaining to the onset of MS is genetics. It has been established that if an individual has a relative that suffers from this autoimmune disease that they have a higher chance of developing the condition themselves. This does not mean that the medical condition is a genetic condition; it just means that if a relative has the condition, the probability increases for developing the condition.

Statistically speaking, if a person has a parent or a brother or a sister with the condition, they have a one in forty chance of acquiring the illness. If a person has no relative with the condition, the probability that MS will develop is one in one thousand. Genetics are still being researched to learn more about its relation to MS.

The Immune System

It has been established that the immune system seems to play an important role in the onset of multiple sclerosis. In patients that have been evaluated for this condition, it was found that the body's natural defense system seemed to literally attack various internal components of the body.

The two main areas that seem to suffer the most damage as a result of these attacks are the components of the central nervous system - the brain as well as the spinal cord. The nerves are the components that are directly targeted by a person's immunity. Once the nerves are damaged, it could result in complications as far as cognitive functioning and range of mobility.

Environmental Factors

Many doctors believe that MS may be caused by environmental based factors. This theory comes as a result that it has been found that certain individuals in certain regions of the world are more prone to developing this autoimmune disease. Most cases of this condition are located quite far away from the equator.

It is a known fact that as a person moves farther away from this imaginary line that breaks the world in half that they receive less exposure to the sun. This could indicate that Vitamin D that comes from the sun could have a larger impact on a person's risk of suffering from MS.

Infection

The next possible cause of MS is one or more viruses. It is a known fact that viruses have the potential to damage the body. It could be that a particular virus is experienced that causes confusion in the body's natural defense system.

Instead of looking for potentially dangerous foreign agents, the immune system seeks out the healthy cells and nerved of the body. If you or someone that you know suffers from this condition, it is quite likely that you will never learn the reasons behind the onset of the disease. However, there are many treatments that will assist in the progression of the illness.

Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Test

One of the biggest problems with multiple sclerosis is that no matter what you have heard, there are no tests that can be used to diagnose the disease. Even though a person might exhibit the most common multiple sclerosis symptoms, a test needs to be found that can give a more definitive answer instead of having to eliminate all other possibilities before settling on a diagnosis of MS. The main issue is that this disease needs to be caught as early as possible in order to treat it properly.

Explain the Existing MS Symptoms Test

If there is current no one multiple sclerosis symptoms tests, how do doctors make the final determination that you have MS instead of another disease. This is a disease that primarily affects the nervous system, as it progresses lesions attach themselves to the myelin sheath that protects the spinal cord and the brain. These lesions will destroy this protective layer and cause damage to the nerves that it protects them.

Once this occurs the patient will exhibit a range of symptoms such as vision problems, muscle spasticity, slurred speech and mobility issues. Displaying these symptoms is also indicative of other disorders and is only used as one part of the full diagnosis process. If your doctor feels that you may have MS he will most likely send you to see a neurologist first. He will perform a series of physical tests that are designed to indicate the high likelihood that you have MS.

What other Test for Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms do They Use?

If your neurologist feels that his test for multiple sclerosis symptoms is indicative that you have the disease, he is likely to send you for an MRI and a CT scan. Both of these tests take a complete series of images of the inside of your body. If you have any of the lesions that are associated with MS they will show up in at least one of the scans. The presence of these lesions is considered to be confirmation that you have the disease.

However, even if you have had every MS symptoms test and there are no lesions present, you may still have MS and it is in its earliest stages. Keep in mind that you should continue to go back to have further testing on a regular basis, this way you will be able to catch the disease at its earliest stages and get started on a regimen of treatment that can provide you with the highest chance of keeping it under control.

Multiple Sclerosis Tingling - Why Do I Get This Tingling Feeling?

Of all the different symptoms of multiple sclerosis, tingling and numbness are two of the most commonly reported. Known as paresthesia to the medical community, you will find that the vast majority of MS patients will have experienced this symptom multiple times and may in fact be one of the symptoms that led them to seek a diagnosis in the first place.

While it is not by any means disabling this numbness and tingling in multiple sclerosis patients can most certainly be a major source of annoyance. Most patients will tell that although the medical professionals do not consider it to be a benign symptom, the tingling, burning and itching can become almost unbearable. Many will tell you that these symptoms can become so bad that it is like being slowly tortured both in a physical and a mental sense.

What Does the Tingling in Multiple Sclerosis Feel Like?

If you were to ask a range of MS patients to describe the how their multiple sclerosis tingling feels, you are likely to get a range of answers based on their personal experiences. This is because MS manifests itself differently in every patient. However the most common descriptions of this sensation include:

1.Pins and Needles, like you would feel if your foot or hand "fell asleep"

2.A painful burning sensation

3.Numbness in one or more extremity

4.Unbearable and incurable itchiness in one or more areas of the body

5.A tingling, buzzing or vibrating sensation at skin level in the affected area

What Cause Multiple Sclerosis Tingling and Can it Be Stopped?

The tingling in multiple sclerosis is a result of the formation of lesions on the spinal cord or the brain. It can be the result of touching something that sets it off or in many cases simply occurs at random, seemingly with a will of its own. In many cases it is the end result of another symptom such as heat intolerance or over MS related fatigue.

If you talk to your doctor regarding the tingling and multiple sclerosis and how long you can expect it to last, he is not likely to be able to answer your question. While it may be the one symptom that finally drove you to your doctor for a diagnosis, there is little that can be done to cure it. Like many of the symptoms of MS it will run its own course and may come and go at various times during the patient's life seemingly at random.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - A Disease Of Unknown Origins!

Introduction

Multiple Sclerosis, more commonly referred to as MS, is a progressive disease of the nervous system along with a hardening of the muscles and can often result in damage to the nerves of the face, a painful condition known as "trigeminal neuralgia". MS is a diagnosis that can be made only after every other possible explanation for the signs and symptoms has been ruled out. An interesting observation: People in non-Westernized and/or non-Christian societies rarely, if ever, eat Pork or use Pork products, and rarely, if ever, suffer from Muscular Sclerosis.

Symptoms

The diagnosis of MS is based upon a clinical evaluation including documentation of "symptoms" and "signs" of the disease. The diagnosis of clinically definite MS requires documentation of two distinct episodes of symptoms and two or more signs evident from the neurological examination. Symptomatic episodes must last at least 24 hours and be separated by one or more months. The diagnosis can be difficult to establish, especially when the initial symptoms are unaccompanied by signs, abnormalities on MRI or electrophysiological tests, or analyses of spinal fluid. Even when the initial symptoms IS accompanied by abnormalities on the neurological examination, it is still possible that the correct diagnosis is something other than MS.

The symptoms are not unlike those of diabetes and impending stroke victims. Some of the signs include blurred vision, loss of muscle strength and coordination, numbness, and tremors, all of which inhibit many from living a normal life. Even when there are no symptoms, there is progression of damage to the central nervous system over time. After initial symptoms, there may be gradual improvement, sometimes after several weeks. In some, these symptoms can occur early in the disease; in others, they can come later. If you are experiencing any of these feelings or symptoms, discuss them with your MD or Health Care Practioner.

Conclusion

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The Latin word for scar is sclerosis. Thus, the term multiple sclerosis was chosen to describe the appearance of the brain in patients who died with this illness. The symptoms depend largely on which particular nerve fiber pathway is involved in the CNS.

Although the cause is unknown, evidence suggests that the disease may result from an environmental agent that triggers the illness in a genetically susceptible individual. Support for this theory includes the observation that the disease is diagnosed more frequently in temperate than tropical or subtropical climates. Men with multiple sclerosis can find it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection. In women, multiple sclerosis often causes a loss of sexual sensitivity, pain during intercourse, an inability to achieve an orgasm, or a reduction in naturally produced lubrication. Like most other MS symptoms, these problems can be temporary (during a relapse), or they can be a permanent result of the progression of the disease.

Many people with the disease experience fatigue or tiredness, but since fatigue can be a sign of so many other diseases, it is not often immediately identified as being caused by multiple sclerosis. There are a number of medicines available to help manage MS. They fall into two basic categories: Medicines that treat symptoms, Medicines that treat the underlying disease. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best treatment option. for you.

Identifying Multiple Sclerosis Early Symptoms

Multiple Sclerosis early symptoms can be present without you even being aware of them because they can be so subtle. Like almost any disease, it is important to be able to recognize these early symptoms because most diseases that can be caught and diagnosed early have a much better chance of being resolved.

Multiple sclerosis which is also known simply as MS is a neurological disorder, and a debilitating disease that often comes with no warning whatsoever, and nobody is immune from it. Sometimes the early warning signs of MS are very subtle so that you do not even realize it, although other times the signs are so quick and dramatic that leaves little doubt in your mind as to what the source of the problem is. The big problem is that if you are not aware of the typical early symptoms of multiple sclerosis, you may dismiss it without getting a diagnosis, and by the time you do see your doctor about it, the disease has progressed to a more advanced form where controlling it or resolving it may no longer be an option for you.

Multiple sclerosis does not appear to be related to age of the afflicted patient, although it appears most prevalent in people between the ages of 20 and 40. That does not mean it does not affect people of other ages, but that age range is most prominent amongst reported cases of it. MS also does not discriminate between the sex of the individual, although females are almost three times more likely to contract it than males.

Recognizing and identifying multiple sclerosis includes having the ability to known some of the early warning signs of the affliction. The following list is not exhaustive but includes some common things to watch for. Know that these things could be nothing at all or could be a sign of sosmething else, but someone suffering from the onset of multiple sclerosis may be showing some of the following symptoms:

• Tingling - This is common in the areas of the hands, fingers, feet, and toes.
  


• Numbness - This could occur in any area of the body.
  


• Double or Blurred Vision
  


• Weakness in extremities or limbs
  


• Balance Troubles - Having difficulties standing, walking, and keeping on balance.
  

Though not as common as the signs and symptoms listed above, some other multiple sclerosis early symptoms may also include:

• Cognitive Troubles
  


• Coordination Troubles
  


• Sudden paralysis in extremeties
  


• Slurred speech
  

Again, a person showing one or two of these signs does not automatically mean that they have MS, but these are common signs to watch for, and especially if someone consistently experiences one or more of these signs, it may not hurt to get a diagnosis. As the disease progresses, other symptoms could also come into play, such as:

• Heat Sensitivity - In ability to withstand heat inside or outside, rather this be from weather or other things like hot water.
  


• Fatigue - This could come in the form of mental or physical fatigue, as well as drowsiness or sleepiness, which is typical during the middle part of the afternoon, and may or may not be in conjunction with weakness of the muscles.
  


• Decreased muscular control, such as muscle spasms, strange sensations, difficulty in speech or swallowing, difficulty in walking, tremors.
  

Be sure that you know what the multiple sclerosis early symptoms include and watch for them. It may not mean MS is present, but keep in mind that an early diagnosis is your best defense against a disease as debilitating as MS.

The Many Manifestations of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that exposes itself in different ways in different people. No two people show exactly the same set of symptoms. Some people may just have a single symptom that later disappears for months or years. Some may suffer from a lot of symptoms that may also get worse within a few weeks or months. The symptoms may be steadily increasing over time for some people while for others there may be periodic relapses and remissions.

Why do the symptoms vary from person to person?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder that affects different areas of the brain and spinal cord. The symptoms vary depending on the nerves affected. MS is actually an immune-mediated inflammatory disease. It causes damage to the protective myelin sheath that covers the nerves of the brain and spinal cord. Scar tissue replaces the myelin sheath in the affected region and the damage involves different areas at various points in time. The frequency and severity of symptoms depend on how deep and extreme the damage is. Hence, there is no defined pattern of presentation in MS.

What are the various possible symptoms?

Though MS has a range of manifestations, there are some common symptoms that people with the disease usually complain of.

Changes in vision

In many cases, visual problems are the first symptoms to be noticed. This occurs due to the optic nerve involvement. This nerve extends from the eyeball to the brain. When the nerve gets inflamed, it leads to a condition called optic neuritis. The result is a painful reduction or loss of vision in the affected eye. The pain is more pronounced during movements of the involved eyeball. Defective color vision can also occur. Another common visual symptom is double vision. This occurs due to a condition called nystagmus which means involuntary movement of the eyes.

Paresthesia or abnormal sensation

This is another common early symptom of MS. Numbness, tingling sensation, burning and itching are commonly reported by people with MS. These abnormal sensations can occur anywhere in the body depending on the nerve involved. Some common sites are the face, arms, fingers and legs.

Myelin sheath ensures faster conduction of nerve signals to the brain and spinal cord. Due to the damage caused to the myelin sheath and nerves, the signals are not properly conducted. This leads to numbness. When the nerve tract that transmits signals like touch, pain, and temperature is affected, some non-specific altered sensations like tingling, burning and itching occur. These are due to exaggerated responses or hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli like light touch. These abnormal sensations can also occur without any stimulus.

Muscle spasms and cramps

Involuntary stiffening of muscles (spasms) is common in people with MS. The cramps (pain) occur due to the spasm of muscles and they are usually felt in the legs. The spasticity makes the muscle movements difficult. Therefore, people need more energy to perform their day-to-day activities. This eventually leads to muscle weakness and tiredness. Fatigue is another common symptom that most people with MS complain of. It can occur all of a sudden without any history of exertion.

Loss of balance and co-ordination

The cerebellum of the brain helps maintain balance and co-ordination. The involvement of this part results in difficulty maintaining balance during walking and co-ordination problems like holding things with hands. In addition to this, fatigue and numbness make walking difficult. Tremors, dizziness, light headed feeling, slurred speech and vertigo are some other manifestations of cerebellar and brain stem involvement.

Sensitivity to heat

Another peculiar problem that is commonly seen in people with MS is their excessive sensitivity to heat. The symptoms of MS seem to be triggered or aggravated by an increase in body temperature or in warm surroundings.

Bladder and bowel disturbances

These symptoms are very common in people with MS. Bladder problems include frequent urination, nocturia (frequent urination at night times), an urge to urinate, incomplete emptying and urinary incontinence (leakage). Constipation is the usual bowel disturbance seen in people with MS. Diarrhea and bowel incontinence are less commonly seen.

Sexual dysfunction

Women with MS complain of dryness of vagina and men complain of difficulty in maintaining erection. Both men and women lack interest in sexual activity and find trouble in achieving orgasm. Sexual dysfunction is another common problem faced by most of the people with MS.

Cognitive dysfunction

Cognitive difficulties are seen in about half of the people with MS. Memory problems and attention difficulties are the common cognitive problems. Some people have problems in language comprehension and usage. People also face difficulties in decision-making, reasoning, planning, and execution of scheduled activities.

Emotional changes

Depression is common in people with MS. The actual reason for depression is not very clear. It could be due to the damage caused to the nerves or simply the other distressing symptoms of MS. Anxiety, irritability and mood swings are not unusual. Some people with MS can exhibit a condition called pseudobulbar affect. This condition is characterized by rapid and uncontrollable mood swings with episodes of laughing and crying irrelevant to the existing situations.

Other symptoms

Seizures, swallowing difficulties and breathing problems are other non-specific symptoms by which Multiple Sclerosis can present itself.

As it is obvious, most of the manifestations of Multiple Sclerosis are subjective - they are felt by the person who suffers from the disease and are not visible to others. The myriad manifestations and their unpredictable pattern of presentation make the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis difficult.

Furthermore, the symptoms of the disease are not specific to it - they can occur in other conditions also. It is just as difficult to attribute these symptoms to MS as it is to diagnose the condition.

Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

Multiple Sclerosis is the most common of the demyelinating diseases, but the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) will vary from person to person.

At first there may only be an isolated symptom or a combination of several. The initial onset may only last for a short period of time and then be followed by a remission. However, as the condition progresses, the following disturbances and multiple sclerosis symptoms become apparent, depending on the areas of the brain and central nervous system affected. Incidence of multiple sclerosis, however, varies widely in different geographical areas. For example it is very low in the tropics but high in the temperate zones of both the northern and southern hemispheres.

Visual symptoms of MS

Involvement of the optic nerve may give rise to blurred vision, severe pain and tenderness of either one or both eyes. Double vision and nystagmus (oscillatory eye movement) or drooping of the eyelid may be present. In some severe cases of multiple sclerosis, blindness in one or both eyes has been known to occur on a temporary basis.

Motor and sensory symptoms of MS

General weakness and 'clumsiness' in one or both legs in the early stages are common. This might be indicated, for example, by toes catching on irregularities on the ground causing tripping. It may also be associated with a feeling of heaviness. There might also be numbness or tingling at the ends of hands and feet.

Bladder and bowel symptoms

Frequency, urgency and incontinence of urine can be of particular concern and is fairly common. On the other hand there may be retention of urine and constipation.

Sexual problems and symptoms

There may be partial or complete impotence. Lack of sensation and lack of vaginal lubrication will also cause distress.

Psychological and emotional symptoms

Euphoria, when it occurs, is quite significant. Depression is often present due to the emotional reaction to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and in some cases can become severe enough to require specific treatment.

Communication impairment

Slurred speech is not uncommon and will occur if the bulbar area of the brain is affected. The speech may become slow and deliberate with emphasis on each syllable.

A common picture of multiple sclerosis is therefore one of a variety of symptoms, such as an ataxic gait (clumsiness in walking), intention tremor, lack of coordination and loss of dexterity. The person becomes weak and easily fatigues. As the condition progresses he or she will become increasingly dependent on others.

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinsons Disease

Children and adults with debilitating diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's and Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS) undergo a gradual reduction in their body's ability to perform voluntary muscular functions. They are slow diseases without cures. Today's treatment generally consists of medications and techniques to slow down the symptoms of the disease and the degeneration of the body. Scientists are not quite sure what causes these diseases; though there are cases that show that a small number of sufferers may inherit them.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that causes the immune system of your body to consume the protective covering over your nerves. This leads to irreversible nerve damage. The degree and impact of the disease relies on which nerves are affected. The disease can develop at any age, but generally strikes those between 20 and 40 and women over men. Though the effects are fleeting in the beginning, those with MS will experience a gradual deterioration. A positive attitude is just as important to the treatment of the disease as any medical therapies.

A shortage of dopamine in the brain is the cause of Parkinson's disease. This chemical acts as a messenger, so low dopamine levels mean that signals in the brain are not getting through. Parkinson's typically shows up mid to late in life as a tremor in one hand. Men are affected more often than women are. Gradually, it affects speech and movement, causes muscle rigidity and can even impair memory and involuntary movements such as blinking. It is thought that ongoing exposure to pesticides and herbicides may increase the risk of Parkinson's.

While those with MS or Parkinson's can live a long life with the disease, those with Lou Gehrig's disease do not. ALS causes the nerve cells in your muscles to die over time. Symptoms begin with slurred speech or a twitching of the hand or foot. Eventually ALS patients lose all muscle function, including the ability to chew, swallow, speak or breathe. Most ALS patients will eventually require the use of feeding tubes and breathing apparatus to sustain life. ALS also significantly increases the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's. Many people who develop ALS die within three to five years after contracting the disease due to respiratory failure. It typically strikes people between the ages of 40 to 60, and more men than women are affected.

These diseases are often hard to detect and are not discovered until the definitive onset of symptoms. Since there are no specific tests available and the early symptoms are generally mild and are shared by many other ailments, diagnosis is a long and stressful process. Maintaining a positive, healthy attitude during diagnosis and treatment, as well as trying to retain as normal a life as possible is vital. Drug therapy, combined with movement therapy and traditional physical therapy help to drastically improve the quality of life for these patients. The use of aids such as walking aids and motorized chairs can prolong the period of independence and functionality as well, allowing patients to experience greater satisfaction with their lives.

Early Onset Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

As of the last survey there were somewhere around 2.5 -3.0 million people in the world that have some form of MS. This potentially devastating disease can lie dormant for years and then manifest itself as a variety of symptoms in young adults in the age range of 20-40. In many cases the onset symptoms of multiple sclerosis are so infrequent and mild that they go completely unnoticed. Many doctors also miss the symptoms until the point where they are too obvious to miss.

Early Onset Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Diagnosing MS can be very difficult as it is a disease that attacks a person's central nervous system. As such it can cause any one or more of over 50 different early onset symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Each person can exhibit one or more of these symptoms such as blurry vision or excessive fatigue even though they have been no more active than normal. Often this fatigue is accompanied by an elevated body temperature. While only a small number of MS patients exhibit this symptom during the early stages, most will suffer varying levels of exhaustions the disease progresses.

Many patients report having various problems with their extremities, it is not uncommon for a patient in the early stages to have temporary losses of muscle control (spasticity) in both arms and legs. The feeling you get of pins and needles when your foot falls "asleep", also described as a burning or tingling sensation is also very common.

Unusual Early Onset Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

There are other early onset symptoms of multiple sclerosis that while rare can be just as unpleasant if not more so and are good indicators that a person needs to seek professional medical diagnosis. These problems can include bladder and bowel control problems that include being unable to control urination or bowel movements. Many men report sexual dysfunction, almost 70% of all male MS patients live with erectile dysfunction and a large percentage of women have vaginal dryness that reduces sexual desire.

Not only does MS cause a variety of physical symptoms, there are emotional and mental onset symptoms of multiple sclerosis such as depression that must be dealt with. Many patients also report issues with memory and concentration, both of which can wreak havoc with home and work life. These are just a few of the more well-known symptoms that can indicate the onset of this devastating disease. If you experience any of these or anything that is out of the ordinary in your health or well-being, you should at least touch base with your family doctor for a proper diagnosis.

The Early Signs of Multiple Sclerosis

There are several early signs of multiple sclerosis. Have you ever experienced tingling, numbness, loss of balance, weakness in one or more limbs, blurred or double vision? These are some of the most typical signs or symptoms that might suggest to a doctor that you have multiple sclerosis.

The signs may come on so gradually that you may not even know you're having any symptoms until you look back years later. The signs can range from very mild to very severe. When mild, the signs may be barely noticeable. When severe, you may end up in the hospital wondering what is going on. The doctors may have to put you through several tests to find out the cause of your symptoms.

The when and who of MS

When do these signs or symptoms usually occur? They usually occur in women or men typically around the ages 20 to 40. Very rarely do they effect children or adults over 50, but it does happen. Most young adults are otherwise healthy and active.

They may be at the beginning of their careers, as well. A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis can force them to rethink and possibly even change their life goals. If the diagnosis is relapsing-remitting MS, then there may be very little change other than learning how to manage the symptoms so that they can continue working.

These early signs of multiple sclerosis can come and go over a period of several years. Vision problems are another sign that many people who come to develop MS experience early on. An episode of optic neuritis (ON) may cause your doctor to send you to a neurologist to decide if it was caused by multiple sclerosis.

Maybe it's a CIS

Have you ever experienced one or more of the early signs of multiple sclerosis? Some people may experience what is called a clinical isolated syndrome or a CIS. It is a single symptom or a set of symptoms that happens only once. The person is only considered to have MS if the sign or symptom happens a second time. An MRI or other test must confirm that the cause is indeed a result of MS, and the diagnosis is usually said to be the relapsing-remitting type of the disease after the second attack.

Occasionally there is no second attack. About twenty to forty percent of the time, a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis can't be given. The CIS is said to be the only cause. The person has one sign or symptom that is typical of MS like optic neuritis, but no other episodes or attacks in the months or years that follow. Unfortunately, in about sixty to eighty percent of those who have a CIS, multiple sclerosis will develop later on.

List of early signs

The following is a list of the earliest signs common to MS. Of course, in and of themselves, they could be a symptom of any number of things. That's why it takes a complete examination by a neurologist to rule out any other diseases or conditions. This examination may take more than one visit, however. A complete medical history and battery of tests, including an MRI, will show whether or not you actually have the disease.

optic neuritis

fatigue

sensations in the arms or legs

muscle weakness

lhermitte's sign

spasticity

imbalance

Even though you may experience one of the signs or symptoms in the list above, don't automatically assume that you have MS. The best thing to do is to go to your doctor and talk to them about your concerns. Your doctor knows your history, and you know your body better than anyone.

Sooner rather than later

You are more likely to realize that something is not right long before anyone else does. Obviously, the earlier this condition is diagnosed, the earlier you can begin to do something about it. Whether it's learning how to manage the symptoms or making decisions about which treatments to use. If you have any of the early signs of multiple sclerosis listed above, and they are bothersome, the best course of action is to see your doctor. He or she may be able to rule out MS or some other condition. And if it turns out to be multiple sclerosis, at least you'll know and can begin to deal with it now rather than later.

How Is Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosed

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system that affects the nerves and causes a lot of vision, balance and control problems. People that have passed half of their lives are usually more at risk of suffering from multiple sclerosis.

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Multiple sclerosis makes the body attack it's own nerves, the membrane that protects them to be more precise. This membrane, called myelin sheaths is attacked by white blood cells and antibodies, which should normally attack bacteria and viruses that threaten to cause an infection in the body, or diseased cells that don't do what they are suppose to anymore. For some unknown reason they attack the healthy nerve-protecting cells. When the myelin steath is under attack the nerves can't send the normal signals to the nervous system and the sense in cause is seriously damaged.

Multiple sclerosis has a large variety of symptoms that vary from what patient to another and that depend on which nerve endings are attacked and do not function properly anymore. Among the most common symptoms you can find: tremor, partial or total temporary loss of vision, strength loss and weakness, confusion, head aches, memory loss an balance loss.

Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is not easy. It is based on the patient's medical history and a series of tests are also required.

First of all the patient must take some blood tests that scan for other diseases in order to determine if the symptoms are caused by other illnesses.

Then MRI testing is performed. MRI can give us detailed images of the brain and the other parts of the nervous system so we can determine whether something is wrong or not. During the MRI tests a very strong magnet scans the brain and the spine, and images with certain patterns on it will result. The doctors will determine if the patterns are normal or not. MRI can detect lesions that are specific only to sclerosis.

And finally, sometimes evoked potential tests are done. The evoked potentials are the electric impulses that the central nervous system sends to the nerves as a feedback to the information they send about the environment. When a person suffers from multiple sclerosis these impulses are slowed very much by a substance that appears in the case of a multiple sclerosis. The test try to measure the speed of the impulses and compare it to the normal speed.

Elaborate tests need to be done to diagnose sclerosis because it is often confused with other diseases with similar symptoms like osteoarthritis and epilepsy.

After the diagnosis is done the treament must begin. There is no know cure for multiple sclerosis so the only things we can do is to try to stop the attacks when they occur. A lot of research is done in order to ease the diagnosis process and to the multiple sclerosis causes.

Multiple Sclerosis - Life After Diagnosis and Treatment

Multiple sclerosis, which is often abbreviated to MS, is a chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system. There is evidence that tells us that it is an autoimmune disease, where your body's immune system starts attacking itself and it is not curable. However, if you or someone that you love has been diagnosed with this disorder, it is important to remember that there are many treatment out there that can effectively slow the progression of the disease down. Understanding MS is something that can take some time, but once you have the basic information, it is not so difficult.

MS is very much a disease that differs from person to person, and there are more than fifty symptoms that are associated with this disorder. Some people experience the symptoms in a mild fashion, while for other people, the symptoms are painfully debilitating. Numbness and tingling are two common symptoms, as is bladder and bowel dysfunction and dizziness or vertigo. Spasticity is another sign as is pain that cannot be explained and sexual dysfunction relating to these symptoms. Fatigue and depression are also common. These symptoms can also come and go, which make MS occasionally difficult to diagnose.

When looking to treat MS, it is worth noting that the drugs in question will usually act through slowing the disease. Currently, the most common drugs used to treat MS include Betaseron, Copaxone and Avonex, among others. These drugs are all designed to lesson the frequency of the symptoms and to avoid relapses once treatment has been begun. It is very important to utilize the right drug for treatment. For instance, Avonex is used to treat relapsing-remitting MS and it can reduce the relapse rate by thirty percent. Some side effects do include flu like symptoms with liver dysfunction and depression occurring more sporadically. Betaseron has the same function, but due to the fact that it is injected, it can also cause swelling, redness and pain.

It is worth noting that some of the real issues that come along with MS relate to the complications that are experienced. It is worth noting that the spasticity and the fatigue alone can be extremely problematic, leading to issues that can have results as shortening the life span. Also keep in mind that there is a significant emotional consequence to the disease, which can be as destructive as the physical components.

That being said, however, the prognosis regarding MS can be reasonably good. Maintenance and an attention to triggers can help enormously as can medication that is thoroughly investigated and tested for the person in question. There is also an increased interest in things like diet and exercise being used to treat this disorder. Vitamin D, an increase in Omega 3 fatty acids and an increased intake in antioxidants have all been thought to be helpful.

Take a moment to learn more about multiple sclerosis is something that can help you a great deal. The more information you have,the more informed your decisions will be.

MS Symptoms - Early Detection Can Make a Big Difference

It can be very hard to diagnose multiple sclerosis in a patient as they can vary dramatically from one person to the next. However this being said most specialists have drawn up a very basic list of MS Symptoms - early stage and beyond to try and help doctors catch the disease as soon as possible so that therapeutic treatments can be started. This potentially devastating disease usually occurs in those aged between 20 and 40 and may progress slowly or very rapidly depending on the individual.

MS Symptoms -Early Stages

When a person first displays MS symptoms - early stages can be difficult to differentiate from many other diseases or in some cases simple everyday occurrences that we all tend to deal with. In many cases we tend to just pass them off as having an off day or one of those things that are of no real consequence. The earliest symptoms of multiple sclerosis are generally:

1.Headaches

2.Loss of balance

3.Blurry vision

4.Numbness in an extremity

5.Weakness in one or more limbs

These symptoms can come and go quite rapidly, often only lasting 24 hours making it easy for a person to pass them off and not seek medical attention. While having these types of symptoms is not necessarily an indication of actually having multiple sclerosis they are generally considered to be the most common early symptoms of the disease.

More Unusual MS Symptoms

While the above list is those that are considered to be the most common MS symptoms - early exacerbations can be far more obvious. Again these symptoms are considered to be highly indicative of MS they can still be the result of other diseases and should be thoroughly checked out by your doctor and a specialist so that proper treatments can begin that will help relieve the symptoms as soon as possible. These symptoms can include:

1.Slurred speech

2.Temporary paralysis in one or more limbs

3.A noticeable lack of coordination

4.Excessive fatigue

5.Double vision

If your medical professional has diagnosed you as having MS symptoms - early treatments and lifestyle changes can help to slow down the progression of the disease. While there is no known cure for the disease at this time there are things that you can do for yourself that have been proven to help slow down the progression and reduce the number and severity of the exacerbations.

Changes in your diet can make a big difference such as removing processed foods from your diet and adding in foods that are high in essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals such as leafy green vegetables. Taking good care of your body naturally is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Even if your doctor suggests some form of drug therapy, you can still make a big difference in the progression of the disease with a healthy diet.

What Are The CCSVI Symptoms?

Those who have a history of Multiple Sclerosis or CCSVI in the family might wonder what kind of symptoms to look out for when avoiding the disease themselves. It is important to understand how these two conditions are linked and how they might affect you if you are a victim of either or both of them.

While not everyone who has CCSVI has Multiple Sclerosis, everyone who has Multiple Sclerosis has CCSVI. This is because CCSVI is characterized by veins that are not sufficiently able to carry blood back from the brain and the central nervous system to the heart. CCSVI is known to some as the cause of Multiple Sclerosis. However, it is hard to say whether it is the Multiple Sclerosis that causes the blockages of the veins, or vice-versa.

This is because the veins that are affected with CCSVI might soon be surrounded by lesions, which are what affect the neurons in the central nervous system. When the blood is not able to drain from the central nervous system back tot he heart, it could reflux back into the brain. As a result, the neurons are affected, and the myelin sheath is damaged. When the myelin sheath is damaged, the brain is no longer able to properly process messages to the rest of the body. Pulses of information can be slowed down, causing the motor functions of the human being to be negatively affected. A person who is affected by CCSVI can use medications to reverse these symptoms, and can even look into a procedure called "Liberation Treatment" to greatly improve their condition.

When a person has CCSVI, they might have no symptoms at all, or they might experience some minor symptoms such as muscle spasms or erectile dysfunction. Others still will have problems with their eyesight, or might experience urinary or bowel incontinence. Some might feel weakness in one or more of the limbs. If you or a loved one experiences one or more of these symptoms, there is a good chance that it could have any number of causes. Conditions that affect that central nervous system, such as CCSVI, can cause many symptoms that can be associated with many other diseases.

Those who experience symptoms of CCSVI should contact a doctor about tests such as Duplex Ultrasonography, Magnetic Resonance Venography, CT Venography, or Catheter Venography. A medical practitioner will be able to show you if there are any blockages or narrowing of the cardiovascular passages in the central nervous system, the major CCSVI symptom.

Multiple Sclerosis Test - How Do the Doctors Test For Multiple Sclerosis?

Because Multiple Sclerosis has such a wide variety of symptoms that can vary so dramatically from one patient to another, it can take months or even years for a doctor to finally decide to perform some kind of test for Multiple Sclerosis. Many patients can suffer the more mild symptoms for years without ever realizing that they are indicative of a bigger problem and unless you go to a specialist these symptoms may not be enough to trigger your doctors suspicions enough to proceed with testing.

Early Testing

When your doctor first suspects that you may be experiencing the effects of MS he will start out by creating a very detailed history of everything you can tell him about your symptoms as far back as you can remember. This is very important as the symptoms can often be so mild that they are thought to be nothing more than a normal part of life and as they go away are something that most of us never think about, especially as part of a growing problem.

Once your doctor has fully evaluated your medical history and compared it to known symptoms he will then be able to make his recommendations. At this point you will be referred to a clinic or hospital that has the necessary equipment and experience to test for Multiple Sclerosis. This stage of testing will involve a variety of both physical and neurological testing so that the specialists can make a full diagnosis and either confirm or rule out MS.

Actual Testing

Most facilities use a combination of three testing procedures to confirm the diagnosis of MS in a patient. However there are also requirements that the patient exhibits two completely separate events or symptoms over a period of time for a final diagnosis to be made. These three tests are the most commonly used to test for Multiple Sclerosis:

1. MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging is used in conjunction with an IV solution of gadolinium to help pinpoint the lesions associated with Multiple Sclerosis. It can help the physician find, identify and in some cases actually put a beginning date on the lesions as well as help to track their growth over time.

2. Electro-physical testing: Here the electrical pulses the travel from one nerves to another as well as the speed at which they move are measured to determine if they are moving at the proper speed or are moving too slowly, which is one of the symptoms of MS.

3. Examination: By examining the fluids that surround both the spine and the brain, known as cerebro-spinal fluid, it is possible in some cases to identify antibodies or abnormal cells that do not belong there. Their presence is often seen as indicative of multiple sclerosis.

These tests are the most commonly used to determine whether or not a patient has MS, however patients' symptoms are also considered a major factor in the diagnosis and in some cases are likely to be enough to provide sufficient proof that they do indeed suffer from Multiple Sclerosis. While there is currently no known cure for this disease there are very successful treatments, medications and diets that work wonders in reducing and eliminating the symptoms.

Multiple Sclerosis - Dizziness - One of the Classic Symptoms of MS

While dizziness is often considered to be one of the first symptoms of MS there is a lot of confusion when it comes to differentiating between the term dizziness and vertigo. The big problem here is that people tend to describe the feelings they have in a very subjective way and the feelings that one person is describing under these generic thoughts may not be the same as another person and in fact may not relate to dizziness in multiple sclerosis.

Indications

While dizziness in MS is definitely not the only symptom it is considered to be one of the most common symptoms and the most frequently recurring. As multiple sclerosis is the demyelinating of the tissue that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord the symptoms that accompany it tend alternate between exacerbations and remissions, the severity of the exacerbations also tends to vary with each episode.

While only some 5% of all patients show signs of dizziness in the early stage of diagnosis, more than 50% of all MS patients will complain of the feelings of dizziness and vertigo at some point during the disease. At the same time approximately 10% of patients experience hearing loss further exacerbating problems such as vertigo and overall feelings of dizziness.

In the patient with multiple sclerosis, dizziness is described as a feeling of lightheadedness or of feeling faint, whereas vertigo is more of a feeling that the ground is spinning or rushing up to meet you. Dizziness in multiple sclerosis is fairly common where vertigo is relatively rare in patients with MS, according to one particular study less than 20% of all MS patients suffer from vertigo.

Treatments

There are several different ways to approach treating dizziness in multiple sclerosis patients, some of which involves the use of different medications. The most common medication prescribed is Dramamine (Meclizine) the same medication given to those who suffer from motion sickness. Others like Scopoderm (a scopolamine or hyoscine) are generally administered in the form of a patch that is placed behind the ear. For those suffering with extreme levels of multiple sclerosis dizziness a course of corticosteroids may be recommended.

The most popular non drug treatment for multiple sclerosis dizziness is VRT or Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy in which the therapist works with the patient to retrain the way their brain interprets and processes the information that it receives from the vestibular system along with the sight proprioception so that the brain no is no longer affected. This particular treatment is often successful enough to enable the patient to no longer need any medical intervention to overcome their dizziness once and for all.

A Diagnosis of MS Does Not Have to Mean Disability

There are many conditions and diseases in that may qualify Americans to obtain disability payments from the Social Security Administration, or SSA. The SSA was initially developed as a type of retirement fund for senior citizens once they reach the age of retirement. As the Social Security System progressed, a program for working Americans with certain disabilities was developed to assist disabled Americans who were facing difficult life changes as well as financial hardships because they were unable to maintain sustainable employment due to their disability.

One of the conditions covered by the SSA is Multiple Sclerosis or MS. Multiple Sclerosis is a mild to moderately progressive, disabling auto-immune disease of the Central Nervous System or CNS.

There are several different "types" of MS, however, most people when first diagnosed will fit into one of two "types." The first type is called Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis or RRMS. People with this form of MS will usually have either one or multiple symptoms that will "flare up" from time to time. These "flares" are called exacerbations.

The symptoms of MS can vary widely from patient to patient but one of the most prominent complaints nearly every patient complains of is fatigue. Aside from fatigue, many people also will experience some numbness and tingling of their hands and feet.

Most people, when diagnosed with MS will find that their symptoms will entirely, or almost entirely disappear once an exacerbation has run its course, thus allowing them to return to work and their normal lifestyles, if it was in fact affected during the flare up. Sometimes an exacerbation is very mild and the affected person does not realize that it is happening, for this reason, it is vitally important to choose an MS Therapy Medication that has been proven to reduce or slow the progression of Multiple Sclerosis.

The Social Security Administration recognizes this disease as a "qualifying" disease for Americans who are unable to remain working due to the progression of their condition. Although, even with a positive diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, this does not mean you will automatically qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits.

There is still an application process set forth that you will need to be follow and it can be very complicated. There is a heavy flow of new applicants submitting requests for approval by the SSA and because of this, the Administration must follow a strict process to determine whether or not the applicant is in fact unable to maintain gainful employment due to their condition, level of disability or stage of disease.

While a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis can be devastating news, it is important to do your best to maintain a positive attitude. Arm yourself with information, read as much literature as you can and talk about your concerns with a professional. Your Neurologist can probably refer you to a therapist or Psychologist that specializes in helping people cope with a diagnosis such as this and stay ahead of your disease by putting an action plan in place, it is a lot easier to deal with things when you are prepared and ready to take charge of your life rather than letting the disease control you!

I was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) in 1997, in 2001 shortly after the birth of my oldest son, I was diagnosed with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS) and approved for SSD, I am now on SSD, have re-married, had a second son in 2007 and I have recently decided to share my story, you can follow me on my blog the link is posted below.

Diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis - Three Reasons Doctors Delay

Although it is still relatively rare, multiple sclerosis is found in increasing numbers of patients, especially in societies such as in America, the United Kingdom or Australia. Doctors often delay telling their patients what they suspect may be wrong for months, or even years.

There is a generally agreed set of symptoms that show someone has multiple sclerosis in mpst cases. From some simple tests that most doctors can conduct in their own surgery in just a few minutes to brain scans that use advanced computerized imaging equipment the eventual diagnosis can be made with reasonable confidence. This article explains three reasons why doctors do not rush to diagnose this disease, even though a diagnosis should be possible.

1. Doctors are reluctant to tell anyone they are suffering from a big name disease such as multiple sclerosis with no known cure unless they are as sure as possible of their diagnosis. Even with efforts being made all over the world there is not even total agreement about what causes the various sign and symptoms of multiple sclerosis and there are even rare cases of someone being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and then being un-diagnosed a few years later.There is certainly no single cure that always works for every patient.

2. Individual symptoms of multiple sclerosis can be usually explained by many different causes, so merely to mention the possibility of the disease could be a false alarm. The name "multiple sclerosis" is Latin for "many scars", with the scars being hidden inside the brain. The individual symptoms normally need to occur in different parts of the body over a period of weeks or months before a definite diagnosis possible.

3. The signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis are inconsistent for every patient, and come and (usually) go at different times and at different speeds. It is quite common for a patient to delay making an appointment with a specialist (perhaps out of fear of the diagnosis), so that by the time a doctor sees the patient the condition has improved, so both the doctor and the patient are happy to agree that there is nothing to worry about, at least for the time being.

Full test are not often considered if there is any other plausible explanation for the symptoms the patient has reported. This is only to be expected with such an unpredictable disease.

Multiple Sclerosis Misdiagnosis - Why This Happens?

Multiple sclerosis has a range of symptoms that are similar to a number of other illnesses including autoimmune, infectious, vascular and other diseases. This can increase the likelihood of misdiagnosis so it is imperative that you are sure your diagnosis of MS or one of the other illnesses that can mimic MS is correct.

The issues of varied presentation amongst sufferers and a number of illnesses that have similar symptoms of MS can pose difficulties for doctors not only with diagnosis but also with treatment. These mimics may have similar symptoms but different treatments so a wrong diagnosis will only lead to wrong treatment being prescribed and possible complications for the individual in the future. Research suggests that up to 10% of people diagnosed with MS may have been misdiagnosed.

How is MS diagnosed?

Doctors need an accurate family and personal history detailing information on all the risk factors such as neurological problems in the family, geographic locations you have lived, substance abuse, reactions to heat, medications taken, past surgeries, illnesses and allergies.

You should tell the doctor about any symptoms you have been experiencing, when they started, information about what you were doing when you experienced them can also provide the doctor with insights into the diagnosis.

Neurological examinations to test exaggerated reflexes, eye examinations to determine optic nerve damage. MRI scans to identify lesions in the brain and possibly determine when they were developed gives the doctor additional evidence which they can then use to rule out alternative diagnoses and illnesses that mimic the symptoms of MS.

All this information will help the doctors avoid possible multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis.

What illnesses look like MS?

This is one of the most important questions asked by persons who may be experiencing symptoms and are concerned that they may have MS.

Autoimmune, infectious, vascular and other disorders can display symptoms that mimic MS.

Autoimmune disorders

Lupus or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) affects the blood and kidneys. Many of its symptoms resemble those of MS including extreme fatigue, sun or light sensitivity, achy, swollen joints and seizures.

Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) affects the brain and the spinal cord. Optic neuritis, lethargy, delirium and paralysis of a limb on one side of the body are common symptoms of this disease.

Sjögren's Syndrome affects the entire body as it is a systemic disease. Symptoms can include fatigue, difficulty swallowing and speaking, joint pain and numbness.

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) sufferers can exhibit muscle fatigue, weakness of the limbs and impaired eye coordination amongst other symptoms.

Sarcoidosis patients can experience vision problems, excessive thirst and fatigue and chronic arthritis.

Any of these illnesses can result in a multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis when proper history and testing are ignored.

Infectious diseases

Neurosyphillis and Lyme disease are infectious diseases that mimic MS. Partial paralysis of the lower limbs, incontinence of the bladder and bowel and impotence are some of the symptoms of Lyme disease whilst Neurosyphillis can cause visual problems.

Vascular disorders

Strokes, Central Nervous System Angitis,Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas and Binswanger's are all vascular diseases that mimic MS and can escalate the chances of multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis.

Others

Muscular dystrophy (MD), Fibromyalgia, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), vitamin B12 deficiency, migraine, Beçhets, hypo-thyroidism, Arnold-Chiari deformity and hypertension all mimic MS and can increase the likelihood of multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis.

The Stages of Multiple Sclerosis

By its very nature, multiple sclerosis affects each patient in a different way. The younger a person is when they first experience symptoms of MS the more the likelihood is that they will experience complete recovery for longer periods of time. At some time most people diagnosed will progress through the various stages of multiple sclerosis. The younger a person is the longer it seems to take for them to progress through these stages and in some cases some may never progress through them all.

The first of the stages of multiple sclerosis is known as benign, and occurs in approximately 20% of people. It consists of one or two attacks that occur but cause no lasting disability. While for some the symptoms may never reoccur and the disease will never develop and in fact will never be diagnosed unless it progresses to the next stage. Even though many of the symptoms are identical to full blown early MS, there is complete recovery with no signs of lesions.

The second of the stages of multiple sclerosis is also the most common beginning phase and is called the relapsing/remitting phase. It is characterized by occasional attacks, known as relapses or exacerbations of any of a list of symptoms such as optic neuritis, muscle spasticity or speech problems. These are caused by the appearance of lesions on the myelin sheath that protects the brain and spinal cord. A person may live within this stage for many years.

The progressive stages of multiple sclerosis can be subdivided in to primary and secondary categories. In the primary/progressive stage there is a slow but steady onset of symptoms such as difficulty walking and loss of motor function that can lead to disability. In secondary/progressive the progression is somewhat faster with less time in between relapses and the amount of recovery is less complete.  The results are more permanent disability due to continued damage from the lesions.

In progressive/relapsing MS the course is similar to that of primary/progressive MS but is far more damaging. The amount of disability increases due to long periods of acute exacerbations that cause permanent damage. Functions that are lost are never recovered and there is a high mortality rate in this final stage of multiple sclerosis. Being diagnosed as early as possible is the best possible way to manage multiple sclerosis and keep it from progressing for as long as possible providing for a quality life.

Multiple Sclerosis - Reactions to the Diagnosis

A patient always knows better than anyone else how he or she is feeling, but will not usually know how to interpret these feelings. In my own case, I was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in October 1988. Although the news was very unwelcome, I was not very surprised. No one knows how your own body feels as well as you do yourself. I can now see that signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis had been appearing for over 5 years, even though I did not know it at the time.

When I was diagnosed, I was partly prepared for bad news but was completely ignorant of what to expect from the diagnosis. I knew Jacqueline du Pré, one of the greatest cellists of the twentieth century, had died recently from the disease while her reputation was at an all-time high, but I had no idea whether her case was typical or not. I was ready to fight the disease that had invaded my body but I didn't really know what was going to happen next. It seemed the illness was little known or discussed, compared with other "big name" killers such as heart attack, cancer or AIDS.

The doctor who told me I had multiple sclerosis never mentioned the disease by name again, but that a treatment would probably be found within 5 years. He said the signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis would come and go over the years, but I would have a normal life expectancy, and wheelchairs were not usually needed. Otherwise, I was told there was no way of knowing how my condition would evolve and effectively I had to hope for the best.

Now, over 20 years since I was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, there is almost too much information available from books, the Internet, handouts and press reports. A lot of this information is confusing and contradictory so a quick start guide to multiple sclerosis would be useful to newly-diagnosed patients, their families and friends.

When they are first diagnosed, people with multiple sclerosis need a clear explanation of what the disease actually is, and their families and friends need this information just as much. This information needs to be clear and positive, because multiple sclerosis is not fatal in most cases and there are steps that can be taken to manage the signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

There is a tragic minority of people with multiple sclerosis who will find their battle with multiple sclerosis will be tough (much tougher than mine has been) but even so there is a need for some fresh ideas for them to try. Even the most disabled have sometimes recovered by trying new treatments.

Multiple Sclerosis - Eye Problems Can Be Early Symptoms

While the symptoms that can lead to a diagnosis of MS are varied and differ from person to person there are some that are classified under the category of early symptoms. Multiple sclerosis is called "multiple" for good reason, there are many different forms that it can takes and for some it may cause minor issues while for others it can cause severe disabilities. Knowing what to look for can be important to helping your doctor make the decision to test you for MS.

One of the more common early symptoms of multiple sclerosis is problems with your eyes however while they may affect your eyesight very rarely do they ever cause blindness. Episodes of double vision can occur when the muscles that control one of your eyes is slightly weaker than the other and both eyes do not stay coordinated, this usually goes away on its own in a short period of time.

Optic neuritis is one of the most common early symptoms of multiple sclerosis and causes a number of different eye problems. You may notice a burning sensation or pain when you move your eyes and may require medication to reduce the inflammation. Temporary loss of vision in one eye that starts out as graying then rapidly progresses to full loss of vision that lasts several days before recovering has been cited as occurring frequently. Studies show that some form of optic neuritis occurs in at least 50 percent of all patients and that it is the first symptom noted in approximately 16 percent of all MS patients.

A nystagmus can be one of the early symptoms of multiple sclerosis and on the average a person who develops this will most likely diagnosed with this disease within 2 years of it being found. A nystagmus is the involuntary jerky movement of the eyes. For many people this can be mild but in others it can be severe enough to affect their vision.

If you have noticed any of these early symptoms of MS or your optometrist tells you that they see any of these problems tell your physician, so that they can do the necessary tests. The best way to treat MS is by catching in the early stages.

Common Criteria of Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory neurological disease which generates a wide symptomatic spectrum. Multiple sclerosis primarily affects the central nervous system, interfering with the normal activity of the nervous cells. Multiple sclerosis involves deterioration of the neurons' myelin, a very important substance that facilitates the transmission of nervous signals between nervous cells. If myelin is affected, the connections between neurons are compromised and the body fails to respond promptly to external stimuli.

Multiple sclerosis can cause various dysfunctions in different regions of the body, causing a wide range of physical, neurological and psychological manifestations. The deterioration of myelin can affect the body's motor functions, causing difficulty walking, loss of dexterity, poorly coordinated moves, loss of balance; sensorial functions, causing decreased visual acuity, altered perceptions of external stimuli; and cognitive functions, causing poor mental performance, loss of concentration and even memory loss. In some cases, multiple sclerosis can even interfere with the normal activity of the internal organs, causing renal affections and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

Due to the complex nature of multiple sclerosis symptoms, it is virtually impossible to diagnose the disease relying solely on patients' external manifestations. The symptoms generated by neurological diseases have an unspecific character, thus making the process of multiple sclerosis diagnosis even more difficult. Hence, multiple sclerosis can be correctly diagnosed only after performing elaborate physical examinations and various laboratory tests.

Multiple sclerosis diagnosis involves the accumulation of various suggestive data through the means of specific medical procedures and laboratory analyses. The first step in the process of multiple sclerosis diagnosis usually involves the examination of patients' motor functions. People with this type of neurological disease generally have trouble walking and maintaining their balance. Loss of dexterity, muscle weakness and poorly coordinated moves are also suggestive signs for multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Furthermore, sensorial dysfunctions, such as decreased vision, are very common to people with neurological diseases and an important multiple sclerosis diagnosis criterion involves looking for signs of internuclear ophthalmoplegia (double, blurred vision).

The process of multiple sclerosis diagnosis often involves MRI scans and lumbar puncture. MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging) are an important step in confirming the multiple sclerosis diagnosis. MRI scans verify the integrity of the nervous system, using magnetic waves for generating pictures. If MRI scans can sometimes be inconclusive in the process of multiple sclerosis diagnosis, lumbar puncture is a reliable criterion in verifying the presence of neurological disease. Through the means of lumbar puncture, doctors are able to inspect the state of the spinal cord's fluid, checking for evidence of inflammation at the level of the nervous system.

Neuropsychological tests are also very important in the process of multiple sclerosis diagnosis. The aim of these tests is to find evidence of compromised mental performance due to destruction of myelin. Most patients with neurological diseases often suffer from poor concentration, decreased judgment and even short-term memory loss and the main purpose of neuropsychological tests is to reveal the presence of these symptoms. Another important step in establishing the multiple sclerosis diagnosis involves looking for signs of depression, as more than 80 percent of people affected by this type of neurological disease eventually become depressed.

Multiple sclerosis diagnosis is very complex and requires various medical procedures and tests for revealing conclusive signs of the disease. Most patients are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis only if more than two specific tests confirm the presence of neurological dysfunctions.