The way a disease such as Multiple Sclerosis is diagnosed is by using a series of MS Tests. These Multiple Sclerosis tests are designed to rule out other ailments. The reason for this is that there is no one test that can diagnose MS in any given person. For this reason, the doctor will start by gathering information on the patient’s medical history and symptoms. It is very important for the patient to be as detailed as possible on any symptoms no matter how minor they seem. A good approach to an effective diagnosis is to keep a journal that records all the symptoms as they appear, including when they started, how long they last for and how severe those symptoms are. With this, it is good to record any particulars on what makes such symptoms better or worse.
Some of the tests that are run along with this information are a spinal tap and an MRI, as well as a series of blood tests that are used to eliminate bacteria and viruses as causal agents, specifically things like Lyme disease or HIV. A lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap, is done so that the doctor can determine if the antibodies that are contained in the cerebrospinal fluid have increased. If the number of these antibodies is bigger than normal, it is very likely that the body is fighting off an invasion or an infection.
One of the most crucial tests is the MRI scan which is used mainly to check for lesions or scarring on the brain or the spinal cord. These particular lesions or scars are sometimes an indicator of other ailments, specifically high blood pressure or migraines, but can also be a sign of MS. However, early on, such scars may be difficult to see. The doctors usually inject a colorless dye gadolinium before the MRI scan takes place. As part of one of these Multiple Sclerosis tests, this dye makes any scars or lesions look a lot brighter than the surrounding tissue.
Signs and Symptoms of MS
It is very important to understand that these tests are vital in diagnosing this disease and as early as possible. Because this ailment manifests over a period that can last many years, some people may not know when to go to the doctor, which is why it is important to know what to look out for. Starting the medications that manage this disease goes a long way to controlling the pain that patients go through, stopping the progression and reducing relapses.
The earliest signs of MS are certain sensations such as a numbness or tingling in the limbs or in the face, a tendency to lose balance and feel weak in the limbs, and finally, seeing double or blurry. Another list of symptoms that may be experienced although more rarely are slurred speech, a lack of fine motor coordination, cognitive difficulties and a sudden paralysis of a particular limb or even multiple limbs.
What many people may not know is that these particular characteristics of MS can occur for a very long time, sometimes decades, and will frequently come and go making it hard to notice.
However, using MS tests to correctly diagnose this disease, despite how invasive Multiple Sclerosis tests are, is vital because these symptoms will get worse and progress into more profound symptoms such as fatigue, muscle spasms, heat intolerance, perceptional changes and sexual dysfunction.
