Multiple Sclerosis (MS Disease): Signs And Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment

What is multiple sclerosis (MS disease)?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system (the brains and spinal cord). In MS, the nerves can not transmit good messages. Thus people with MS have the following symptoms:

1. blurred vision;
2. a heavy feeling in the arms and legs;
3. numbness, tingling or burning pain, for example an arm or leg;
4. severe fatigue that is not about.

Later, as complaints come as spasticity, paralysis and difficulty talking. Walking can become increasingly difficult, but most people with multiple sclerosis (MS disease) never need a wheelchair.
Many people with MS have periods of symptoms and improved by between periods. But some people are continuing to deteriorate, with no improvements between.

Multiple sclerosis disease can not be cured. By the symptoms are there different medications. Some drugs inhibit the disease off too.
Therapies against the complaints are physiotherapy, Cesar therapy, Mensendieck therapy and occupational therapy.

MS is an autoimmune disease. The exact cause of the disease is not yet known.

What are the signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS disease)?

MS usually starts with a short period of time with a sudden complaints. Such a period is called a relapse. A scale takes several days or weeks. Then the complaints are again months or years away.

Most people with MS disease may have a relapse and then a period of recovery. Other people are gradually getting sicker. Symptoms disappear anymore. This is progressive multiple sclerosis. About three out of ten people with MS progressive multiple sclerosis disease.
People first have recovered after relapses, then may still have progressive MS. Some people only get one scale. Thereafter, the disease is not or hardly get worse.

During a relapse, you can have:

1. eye problems (blurred or double vision);
2. sensation problems in the arms or legs (tingling, dormant feelings, numbness);
3. impaired balance and clumsiness of movement;
4. muscle weakness in arms and legs;
5. paralysis;
6. difficulty concentrating;
7. memory disorders;
8. constipation;
9. trembling;
10. slurred speech;
11. bladder and bowel problems;
12. mood swings, difficulty controlling emotions;
13. orgasm problems, impotence in men;
14. pain (burning and itching sensation in the arms and legs, trunk, face, pain in the lower back).

Some people also suffer from depression. This is mainly because they are uncertain about their future.
Besides real relapses can sometimes have short bouts of seconds, with facial pain, muscle spasms, fall, tingling and itching. In addition, many people with multiple sclerosis constantly tired.

How is multiple sclerosis diagnosed?

It often takes a long time before it is certain whether someone has multiple sclerosis disease. Many of the symptoms are common to other diseases. Your doctor may therefore first think of something other than MS.

If your doctor thinks you might have MS, they will refer you to a neurologist. The neurologist doing different studies:

1. On an MRI scan, the doctor can see if there is any damage to your nervous system.
2. A lumbar puncture takes the doctor some fluid between the vertebrae out. In the spinal fluid are many people with MS disease more white blood cells, proteins and antibodies.
3. The neurologist measures how quickly you respond to stimuli, such as flashing lights or sound clicks. In MS, the brains respond less quickly. This test is called an evoked responses test or evoked potentials test.

What is the treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS disease)?

Multiple sclerosis disease itself is not curable. You can still get drugs to combat relapses and to slow the disease:

1. Anti-inflammatory medications (corticosteroids. These help prevent relapses, but brakes not the disease.
2. The drugs interferon and interferon-beta help to prevent relapses and to slow the disease.
3. Mitoxantrone is a chemotherapeutic drug. You get it through a drip. It has a strong effect on the immune system and inhibit the disease. This is a very difficult way with many side effects.
4. Natalizumab stops new attacks. In some people the disease even stops completely. You can still get side effects. Talk to your doctor if this medicine is suitable for you.
5. Drugs to treat certain symptoms. Such as antidepressants, muscle relaxants and laxatives.

In addition to medication is a paramedical treatment often makes sense. For example physiotherapy, exercise therapy Cesar or Mensendieck, occupational, or speech therapy).
Maybe you need tools and rehabilitation after a major decline.
It has developed a special therapy for MS disease fatigue.

Some multiple sclerosis patients opt to use a medical treatment for an alternative treatment method such as:

1. feldenkrais;
2. acupuncture;
3. a diet, for example, a gluten-free diet (one diet for humans with hypersensitivity to gluten);
4. tea marijuana. This tea would reduce cramping of the muscles, allowing for example walking is better.

Talk to your doctor before using alternative treatment methods.
In some countries, people with MS are treated with bee stabbing. Many people say that the treatment helps. However, research shows that bee sting therapy has no effect on the disease.

Multiple sclerosis (MS disease) and sexuality

People with MS may have to deal with sexual problems. If you are too tired, you may have less interest in sex. Men with MS can suffer from erectile dysfunction (impotence). You can use drugs or tools for that. Women with multiple sclerosis (MS disease) sometimes have trouble getting aroused or achieving orgasm. The clitoris may be less sensitive or even hypersensitive, and the vagina can be very dry. Then you can use resources that make the vagina moist. Bladder and bowel problems can also cause problems with sex.

Sexual problems can also have emotional causes. Try to be open with your partner. It may also be useful to ask the help of an expert, such as a sexologist or psychologist.
A woman with MS can use any contraceptives. The pill will make MS worse.

I have multiple sclerosis disease, can I get pregnant?

Women with multiple sclerosis can be just pregnant. It is best if the disease in a while is stable. However, some medications are harmful to the development of the unborn child. Therefore talk to your doctor before trying to conceive.

If you are pregnant, you have less chance of a relapse. However, in the months following the birth, the risk of a relapse actually increased. The pregnancy has no effect on the multiple sclerosis disease.

You do not have special requirements before delivery. If your obstetrician know that you have MS, you can also give birth at home. If you prefer, you can of course discuss this with your doctor first.

The first few months after childbirth are quite heavy by the restless nights. Please try as closely as possible to prepare for. You may receive care or home care, and your partner may be able to take parental leave.