What is Multiple Sclerosis & What Are The Symptoms?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) impacts nearly a million people in the U.S., according to a National MS Society survey.

The disease is degenerative and can impact any part of the brain. But what does MS do to the brain, how does it impact your body and health and what are the treatment options if you are diagnosed?

A Degenerative Disease

MS is a degenerative disease that inflicts inflammatory damage on the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. This makes up the central nervous system, which means MS can impact essentially how you control everything you do.

Risk factors for MS include your age, sex, family history, geography, genetic makeup and exposure to particular viruses like the Epstein-Barr Virus.

In the Pacific Northwest region, three females are diagnosed with MS for every male who is diagnosed.

MS Symptoms

Because MS can impact any part of the brain, there are numerous pathways and symptoms that you may experience.

Here are some different ways your symptoms may present:

• Asymmetrical Symptoms: You may experience numbness and tingling in one arm, vision changes in one eye and other incongruency in your sensations.
• Pinpoint Symptoms: Your symptoms may be more poignant to one part of your body. For example, you may have urinary incontinence or experience sharp pain down your spine while looking down.
• Common Yet Vague Symptoms: You might experience some symptoms that are common for MS but also other diseases. These include fatigue, memory loss and trouble with your speech.

Oftentimes, expert providers with the EvergreenHealth Multiple Sclerosis Center, part of the Eastside Neuroscience Institute, will receive referrals from the Emergency Department or Primary Care providers with these symptoms. However, you’ll undergo additional screening to ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis.

Treating MS

As it is with most health conditions, the chances for improved outcomes and a better quality of life greatly increase the earlier you are diagnosed.

If you are referred to the EvergreenHealth MS Center, your provider will begin by confirming your diagnosis through an MRI, blood work and possibly a spinal tap. They also work with your entire care team to ensure they are not only managing your disease but also promoting your overall health and wellness, comfort, independence and quality of life.

While there is no cure for MS, your provider will treat your symptoms, beginning with your first symptoms and continuing through your life. At the EvergreenHealth MS Center, you will have access to advanced treatments including infusion therapies as well as clinical research trials.

You, your provider and your entire care team will work together to lower your risk of disability so that you can continue living the life you want.

This article has been adapted from the New Day Northwest segment "Multiple Sclerosis: Diagnosis and Treatment Plans."