There are three categories of MS symptoms; primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary symptoms can lead to secondary symptoms and both of these can then lead to tertiary ones. This chain reaction all starts with the immune system of the body. MS develops when the immune system begins attacking nerve cells, causing lesions in the brain, on the spinal cord, along the optic nerves, or in all three locations. As the nerve cells are being attacked, they are being stripped of their myelin coating, or sheath. This sheath is used to help conduct electrical signals more effectively.
Without their outer cover fully intact, nerve cells are unable to send signals efficiently. The brain, spinal cord, or optic nerves are affected in various ways as the signals are lost.
As for primary symptoms, which are the symptoms connected directly to the stripping of the myelin coating, these can include loss of balance, paralysis, bladder or bowel issues, numbness, tingling, overall weakness or of a limb, as well as many others. Any of these can lead to secondary symptoms, such as paralysis leading to bedsores, or incontinence leading to urinary tract infections. Either of these issues might cause the MS patient to become depressed over the situation. Depression would then be considered a tertiary symptom.
An MS Symptoms Checklist to Follow
The MS symptoms early and late diagnosis reveals includes more than 50 symptoms. Each varies from person to person, as well as between the degrees of progression each patient displays. Early MS symptoms include; tingling, numbness, overall weakness, difficulty thinking, loss of balance, and blurred vision.
What are MS symptoms that appear later on? Well, these include spasticity, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, tremors, and difficulty walking. Some patients may experience the same symptoms no matter how much their MS progresses.
MS Symptoms Diagnosis Techniques
Treatment for MS symptoms cannot be provided until a diagnosis has been made. Once the doctor is certain the symptoms are caused by MS, then the proper treatment can be given. To diagnose Multiple Sclerosis, the patient needs to have had at least two attacks of MS-related symptoms at least a month apart. Lesions must also be present on the spinal cord or brain. An MRI is used to check for lesions. This scan is taken after the patient is injected with gadolinium; a colorless dye used to highlight lesions.
A doctor will need to perform a neurological exam as well. Patients are tested for the ability to swallow and talk, the level of coordination is checked, as well as sensation, reflexes, and strength. A spinal tap is done to check the cerebrospinal fluid for an elevated number of antibodies. A higher number of antibodies present means the immune system has increased activity.
One more test that will be issued to make sure the MS symptoms are actually connected to MS is a blood test. The blood will be checked for Lyme disease, HIV, and other illnesses commonly found in the blood stream. Once these many tests are performed, treatment can proceed.
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