ms disease is an autoimmune condition that affects the central nervous system. People with ms have an abnormal immune system that attacks the sheath (myelin) that covers and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord, causing inflammation and disrupting the flow of electrical signals. Symptoms may vary between people and across different types of ms. Some people experience clear attacks followed by remissions, while others have symptoms that gradually get worse over time. The cause of ms is unknown, but scientists know that certain genes make people more susceptible to developing the disease.
Symptoms can be mild and not noticed by others or they can be severe and impact work, family and relationships. Early reporting of cognitive changes to your GP, MS nurse or neurologist can help with formal assessments and support services.
The first symptoms of ms may be trouble walking, uncontrollable shaking or vision problems such as blurred vision, blindness in one eye or uncontrolled movements of the eyes (nystagmus or opsoclonus). People with ms often have pain in the muscles and joints and are more likely to have bladder and bowel problems including constipation and difficulty urinating. Fatigue is a common symptom and can be felt throughout the day but is often worse in the late afternoon.
Ms can damage nerves in any part of the brain or spinal cord, so symptoms can appear anywhere in the body. Your doctor will assess you to see how your symptoms relate to the condition and rule out other conditions that can cause them, such as a viral infection, a slipped disc or rheumatoid arthritis.
Your doctor will ask about your past health, symptoms and family history and perform a physical exam. MRI scans, which use large magnets and sound waves to make detailed pictures of organs and structures within the body, can find signs of tissue damage or scarring. Other diagnostic tests may include a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), brain CT scan, evoked potentials and spinal fluid analysis.
Some doctors will prescribe corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system during an attack of ms. These medications can be taken orally, for example Solu-Medrol, or intravenously, such as methylprednisolone. They are usually only used for short periods of time to avoid steroid side effects, which can include infection, mood disturbance, stomach ulceration, bone weakness and weight gain.
Some people with ms may have a form of the disease that gets slowly worse over time, which is called secondary progressive MS. Other people have an attack followed by a period of remission, which is called relapsing-remitting MS. New treatments are helping to slow the progression of ms and improve quality of life. If you have relapsing-remitting disease, your treatment will focus on speeding recovery from attacks and reducing the number of new lesions on the brain or spinal cord, as well as managing the symptoms. In addition, you can help reduce your risk of future attacks by being as active as possible and taking steps to prevent fatigue and stress.
