You are looking for information about multiple sclerosis. Specialists for treatment or rehabilitation? Here you will find only experienced specialists and clinics in Germany, Switzerland or Austria. Find out about symptoms, signs, diagnosis and therapy or contact our experts.
List of doctors for multiple sclerosis
Schmieder Allensbach Clinics
Neurological Rehabilitation Allensbach
Prof. Dr. med. Andreas R. Air
Neurological Rehabilitation Vitznau
Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Muller
Neurology, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Berlin
Information about multiple sclerosis
What is MS??
Multiple sclerosis, also called encephalomyelitis disseminata, is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. There are foci of inflammation (lesions) in the brain and spinal cord.
2.5 million people worldwide are affected, with more than twice as many women as men suffering from the disease. The disease is characterized by loss of the myelin sheaths of the nerve fibers. Until today the cause of the disease is unknown.
MS shows a high variability in its expression. Depending on the location of the lesions, a variety of neurological symptoms are possible. Different courses of this disease can also be found. It can be either relapsing or continuously worsening.
Until a few years ago, the diagnosis was made purely on the basis of clinical symptoms. In the meantime, laboratory findings are also. MRI images of the central nervous system as evidence added. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for MS. However, immunosuppressive therapy can. Immunomodulatory drugs positively influence the course of the disease.
What makes MS?
The cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown. An autoreactive response of the body to an antigen is suspected, which leads to a false attack of the own immune system against the myelin sheaths of the nerve fibers. Viral infections are discussed as possible antigens; among others, the Eppstein-Barr virus, the trigger of Pfeiffer's glandular fever, is suspected of causing multiple sclerosis. What are signs. Symptoms of multiple sclerosis?The symptoms of MS are very variable and individual. In most cases MS starts relapsing with a clinical symptom. This condition is also called "clinically isolated syndrome". Clinically isolated syndrome is a precursor of MS. 80% of those affected develop another clinical syndrome, so that it is then referred to as multiple sclerosis. 20% of those affected are spared a second episode up to 20 years after the clinically isolated syndrome and do not develop MS. As the most frequent symptoms are indicated by affected persons:
– Visual disturbances – Sensory disturbances – Permanent fatigue
The symptoms often disappear completely or incompletely within days or weeks. In the further course of the disease, there are further relapses with the same symptoms or new onset symptoms such as:
– Motor disorders – Bladder emptying disorders – Sexual dysfunction disorders Tremor with movement – daytime fatigue – depressiveness – memory disorders – concentration disorders
Diagnosis: Multiple Sclerosis Test
The diagnosis of MS is done in three steps. Based on the anamnesis interview, the doctor can already suspect an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Subsequently, other diseases, so-called differential diagnoses, are excluded by laboratory tests and MRI images. The third diagnosis is the so-called "spatial. Temporal dissemination" detected. It means that at least two lesions have occurred at different times or places in the body. Only then can multiple sclerosis be diagnosed.
Multiple Sclerosis Course
There are three different forms of multiple sclerosis.
The relapsing-remitting MS Describes the form in which patients experience relapses of clinical symptoms, but these (almost) completely resolve after days to weeks. There is no increase of the disease between the relapses. It is the most common form with 85% of all MS patients.
In more than half of the patients, multiple sclerosis develops Secondary progressive MS . In this case, the disability continues to increase; relapses can also occur in between.
On the other hand, there are ca. 15% of patients to a primary progressive MS . This form has the worse prognosis. Describes a progressively worsening disability without relapses.
Multiple Sclerosis Therapy
Unfortunately, there is no therapy that treats the cause of multiple sclerosis yet, as it is still unknown. The therapy basically consists of three pillars:
– relapse therapy – course modifying therapy – symptomatic therapy
In an acute attack, high doses of cortisol are given for 3-5 days. Progression-modifying therapy uses immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory medications to prolong relapse intervals and reduce disease activity. To alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychotherapy u.a. used as supportive measures.
Rehab for MS
The goal of rehabilitation in general is to maintain the patient's ability to function, independence and thus participation in social life. For multiple sclerosis patients, the focus is on symptom relief from spasticity, pain, and bladder and bowel problems. In addition, the motor and cognitive abilities of those affected should be maintained.
The rehabilitation measures can be carried out either ambulatory, or in severe cases also stationarily. In special neuro-rehabilitation clinics, the staff u.a. MS patients trained. Can promote this particularly well. Which specialists. Clinics are MS specialists?Multiple sclerosis falls into the area of the specialists for neurology. In large clinics, these physicians work in close cooperation with neuroradiologists to diagnose and treat MS patients with.
We help you find an expert for your disease. All listed doctors and clinics have been reviewed by us for their outstanding specialization in multiple sclerosis and are awaiting your inquiry or treatment request.