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No specific test for MS

- 2023-06-14 00:00:00

No specific test is available to diagnose multiple sclerosis. But a healthcare provider can make a diagnosis by following a careful process to rule out other causes and diseases. Two things must be true to make a diagnosis of MS:
You must have had 2 attacks at least 1 month apart. An attack is when any MS symptoms show up suddenly. Or when any MS symptoms get worse for at least 24 hours.
You must have more than 1 area of damage to the central nervous system myelin. Myelin is the sheath that surrounds and protects nerve fibres. This damage must have occurred at more than 1 point in time and not have been caused by any other disease.
Generally a single attack along with certain patterns of changes in brain tissue seen on an MRI scan of the brain performed with contrast can mean that you have MS.
An MS evaluation involves a complete health history and neurological exam. This includes: mental, emotional and language functions, movement and coordination, vision, balance, functions of the five senses.
The following may be used when evaluating a person for multiple sclerosis:
MRI - A diagnostic test that uses a combination of large magnets, sound waves, and a computer to make detailed pictures of organs and structures within the body. It can find plaques or scarring caused by MS.
Evoked potentials - These tests record the brain's electrical response to visual, auditory, and sensory stimuli. These tests show if you have a slowing of messages in the different parts of the brain.
Cerebral spinal fluid analysis - This is also called a spinal tap or lumbar puncture. It looks at the fluid taken from the spinal column to make an evaluation or diagnosis. This test checks for cellular and chemical abnormalities seen with MS.
Blood tests - These are done to rule out other causes for various neurological symptoms.
Evaluation and diagnosis of MS requires a variety of tools to rule out other possible disorders. It also requires a series of lab tests that, if positive, confirms the diagnosis.
How is multiple sclerosis treated?
Your healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment plan for you based on: your age, overall health, and past health; how sick you are; how well you can handle certain medicines, treatments, or therapies; how long your condition is expected to last and your opinion or preference.
There is no cure yet for MS. But you can do things to help change the course of the disease, treat flare-ups, manage symptoms, and improve your function and mobility.
Treatments for the conditions seen with MS may include medicines (talk with your provider to see what medicines may be an option for you); equipment such as canes, braces, or walkers; rehabilitation activities.
Rehabilitation varies depending on your symptoms and how severe they are. MS rehabilitation may help you to:
• Get back functions that are important for daily living.
• Be as independent as you can.
• Involve your family.
• Make the right decisions relating to your care.
• Learn about equipment like canes, braces, or walkers that can make is easier to move around.
• Set up an exercise program that builds muscle strength, endurance, and control.
• Get back motor skills.
• Speak more easily if you have weakness or a lack of coordination of face and tongue muscles.
• Manage bowel or bladder incontinence.
• Relearn thinking skills.
• Change the way your home is set up to keep you safe but allow you to move about as easily as possible. – Source: hopkinsmedicine.org
STATS
What causes multiple sclerosis?
• Autoimmune disorders
• Infectious agents, such as viruses
• Environmental factors
• Genetic factors
Did you know?
Think
About 50% of all people with MS have thinking (cognitive) problems linked to the disease.
Health tip
It's important to take your medicines as directed.
Health precaution tip
Changing the way your home is set up can help you stay independent.