Multiple sclerosis symptoms diagnosis treatment care box

Multiple sclerosis, abbreviated MS, is a chronic disease of the central nervous system, the causes of which are still largely unknown. Nerve inflammation in the brain. spinal cord cause the different MS symptoms. There are several different forms of MS disease. In most cases there is a relapsing worsening of the symptoms, which do not always disappear completely with therapy. Multiple sclerosis is not curable, but its progression can be slowed by consistent therapy.

In this article we inform you about the causes and the treatment of MS. For more in-depth information on the symptoms, progression, and definition of an MS flare, please refer to additional pages in this guidebook series, linked below in the text.

MS – definition

MS is a Disease of the central nervous system. To the central nervous system the Brain and that Spinal cord counted. Inflammation occurs there in the multiple sclerosis. The technical term for MS is "Encephalomyelitis disseminata", which can be translated roughly as "scattered inflammation of the brain and spinal cord". MS is a chronic disease, which is currently not curable is.

For a long time, MS patients are often able to cope with their daily lives alone. In the later course of the MS disease, people increasingly need help from others. If you or one of your relatives have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, family physicians and neurologists are the best contacts for all questions about the disease.

Frequency of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is the most common chronic neurological disease, which can occur even in young people and leads to long-term limitations. In Germany there are currently more than 120 000 sufferers. Worldwide exist over 2.5 million MS patients.

As Autoimmune disease MS is one of a large group of diseases that are nowadays increasingly frequent can be diagnosed.

Multiple Sclerosis Causes

Despite intensive research, the causes of MS are still largely associated unknown. Probably occurs due to partly genetic, partly environmental factors for the development of so-called autoreactive immune cells, which are wrongly directed against the own immune system. These cause a Inflammation in the central nervous system and destroy nerve cells that are responsible for movements, coordination, vision and sensitivity, for example.

At least partly responsible for the increasing frequency of today's lifestyle with damaging Environmental factors made responsible.

risk factors for multiple sclerosis

MS mainly affects European, light-skinned population or its descendants and therefore occurs especially in Europe, North America, New Zealand and Australia. Overall women significantly more often affected than men.

Involved in the development of autoimmune diseases such as MS environmental factors are Smoking, Obesity and unhealthy diet. But also certain Viral infections and Vitamin D deficiency increase the risk of MS.

Probably the MS hereditary. siblings and Children of MS patients have a higher incidence of MS than the general population twenty-fold increased risk for MS.

One of the first symptoms of MS is usually a Inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis) with visual disturbances and eye pain. But also Sensory disturbances and extreme fatigue, the so-called Fatigue, can be the first sign of MS.

The course of MS is characterized by either relapsing or continuous Increase of symptoms (as a cause of trembling hands to headaches) characterized. New symptoms can also be added.

– eye movement disorders leading to double vision – paralysis symptoms, often initially in the hands or feet – headaches

Signs of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis types

The most common form is relapsing-remitting MS, which is usually abbreviated to RRMS (relapse-remitting MS). In this form, MS relapses occur at different intervals with worsening of the existing MS symptoms or the appearance of new symptoms. Initially relapsing. Later is continuously progressive.

The third, rarest form is primary progressive MS (PPMS). Affected persons rarely have relapsing symptoms. mainly suffering from a continuous increase of symptoms. PPMS is the only form of MS that affects about the same number of men as women.

MS diagnosis

The MS diagnosis consists first of all of a detailed survey of the disease history (Anamnesis). It is important that you also tell the doctor about minor abnormalities that may no longer be present. In addition, you will be thoroughly Physically examined. After this clinical impression can be made for an:n experienced:n doctor or. Physician often already suspects the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

Further diagnostics include imaging of the brain with Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in which the doctor can see the inflammatory foci. In addition, the collection of nerve fluid (CSF), in which the MS-typical antibodies are detected. Severity of the disease. Their progression.

For the Differentiation from other diseases In addition, a Urine and blood diagnostics. MS are conspicuous. The diagnosis could be confirmed. Thus, further diagnostics only serve to confirm the MS diagnosis. The exclusion of other possible diseases.