The symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis can be clouded by other diseases such as stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Studies have shown that it could have taken one to ten years longer to diagnose MS in people who had mental health issues, were obese, or who had other physical problems, including smoking.
Thankfully, things have progressed in the process of diagnosing neurological diseases with imaging techniques that now can help diagnose diseases of the brain quicker and tell more of the destruction caused by it.
Since there are no single test to diagnose multiple sclerosis, several tools are used to first rule out other damaging disorders.
Lesions in the nervous system can be found by using imaging technologies. The plaque is the result of the loss of myelin. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MRI, is painless and exposes no radiation.
An MRS, magnetic resonance spectroscopy can give information about the brain chemical N-acetyl aspartate. Decreased levels may show nerve damage.
Magnetization Transfer Imaging, MTI, detects white matter problem areas before lesions exist.
A Functional MRI (FMRI) uses radio waves to measure differences in the physical function of the brain such as mental problems and blood flow.
VEP, Visual Evoked Potential is the study of cerebrospinal fluid that circulates through the brain and the spinal cord. This exam can show cellular and chemical abnormalities associated with MS.
With these aids, physicians are able to more easily diagnose what is a true MS attack, but there can be similar symptoms in some conditions and diseases. Polyarteritis, lupus erythematosus, syringomyelin, tropical spastic Para paresis, some cancers, and certain tumors may show attacks and some MS like lesions of the brains white matter. Often it is understood to take a closer look when there are a reoccurrence of the MS symptoms.
Neurological exams performed by a physician can show decreases in nerve function. This might be a loss in sensations such as numbness (pins and needles). There may be signs of the loss of neurologic functions including changes in vision, speech or the ability to move parts of the body.
The Babinski reflex test may show as a positive. This test is done on the outside sole of the foot with a painful stimulus. A positive result would be for an upward movement of the big toe instead of the normal result of a downward flex.
Eye exams show pupil responses, changes in peripheral vision, or rapid eye movements triggered by eye movement. It can also show any problems with the internal structure of the eye.
There are many therapies that may slow the disease allowing you to control your system and the quality of life. Always talk to your physician for guidelines to the diagnosis and treatment of any disease.
Gilbert Lowe has been dealing with multiple sclerosis for more than 14 years. You can see how he manages Multiple Sclerosis at www.gilbertlowe.info
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