When an MRI is taken of the main parts of the Multiple Sclerosis nervous system, lesions are normally present. It’s the collection of these scarred areas on the brain and spinal cord that cause the MS nervous system to not function properly. Even though twice as many women are affected by MS each year, men and women both exhibit many of the same symptoms. Inflammation occurs when white blood cells attack the myelin sheath of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The inflammation damages the sheath enough to cause electrical impulses being sent between the brain and body to become less efficient.
People diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis are generally between the ages of 20 and 40, but even children can be afflicted with MS at a very young age. However, in pediatric cases of MS, the number of males with MS is usually higher than the number of females until the onset of puberty takes place. After this physical change, the ratio switches in favor of more females testing positive for MS than males.
The exact causation of MS isn’t known, but researchers have a few factors they feel should be considered. One cause is thought to be genetics. If one family member has MS, there tends to be a greater chance that someone in the same family will also be diagnosed with MS at some time. Another factor seems to be more of an environmental issue. Researchers feel they’ve found a connection between the lack of vitamin D and MS. Studies have shown that the number of MS cases rise in numbers the further from the equators the studies are performed. The third factor thought to contribute to MS is past childhood viruses, such as the Epstein-Barr virus and chicken pox.
Getting a Positive Diagnosis of MS
MS is a very difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms seem to mimic so many other illnesses. For example, many diseases create fatigue in a person and is a prominent symptom of Multiple Sclerosis. So as to determine if an individual actually has MS and not another type of illness, multiple tests must be performed.
The doctor will first do a thorough examination of the person being diagnosed and collect a list of symptoms that have been experienced or are currently present. Once all the background information has been gathered, including any pertinent past medical history, then a neurological exam is next. Reflexes, sensation, and overall mobility of the body are tested. An eye exam could be used to check for abnormalities of the eye, poor vision, or odd eye movements. An abnormal Multiple Sclerosis nervous system will also present itself when a lumbar puncture and an MRI of the brain and spinal cord are completed. Getting the MS nervous system to function on as normal of a level as possible is the ultimate goal after the diagnosis has been completed.
