Basic Multiple Sclerosis Information
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex disease. Learn more about basic information, including types, causes, risk factors, prevalence, prognosis and relapses or exacerbations.
What Are the Usual Symptoms of Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis?
Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) is usually characterized by gradually worsening of the ability to walk. However, for a small minority of people, the main symptoms are tremor and problems with balance.
Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) is usually characterized by gradually worsening of the ability to walk. However, for a small minority of people, the main symptoms are tremor and problems with balance.
How is Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosed?
Diagnosing primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) is particularly challenging, as people with PPMS do not have definite relapses characteristic of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, but rather experience a gradual worsening of symptoms. In addition, MRI scans of the brain often appear normal.
Diagnosing primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) is particularly challenging, as people with PPMS do not have definite relapses characteristic of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, but rather experience a gradual worsening of symptoms. In addition, MRI scans of the brain often appear normal.
How Do I Know if I'm Having an MS Relapse?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses sometimes come on strongly, with sudden loss of function. Many times, however, the symptoms are not as clear right away, leaving us to wonder if it is really a relapse or not. Learn how to tell if you are having a relapse or if you are having a pseudoexacerbation.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses sometimes come on strongly, with sudden loss of function. Many times, however, the symptoms are not as clear right away, leaving us to wonder if it is really a relapse or not. Learn how to tell if you are having a relapse or if you are having a pseudoexacerbation.
I have RRMS and just started treatment. How often should I be getting an MRI?
A 2007 study suggests that repeating an MRI one year after starting treatment with interferon-based disease-modifying therapies will tell physicians how a person with multiple sclerosis (MS) is responding to that therapy and how well it will help them in the future.
A 2007 study suggests that repeating an MRI one year after starting treatment with interferon-based disease-modifying therapies will tell physicians how a person with multiple sclerosis (MS) is responding to that therapy and how well it will help them in the future.
Is there a test that can determine if you have MS after one relapse?
Diagnosing MS used to require a minimum of two relapses to meet diagnostic criteria. MRI scans have improved the process of monitoring and diagnosing MS dramatically and have led to the development of the McDonald Criteria, which incorporates the use of MRIs into the diagnosing process.
Diagnosing MS used to require a minimum of two relapses to meet diagnostic criteria. MRI scans have improved the process of monitoring and diagnosing MS dramatically and have led to the development of the McDonald Criteria, which incorporates the use of MRIs into the diagnosing process.
Is Multiple Sclerosis Genetic?
Is multiple sclerosis (MS) genetic? A study published in August 2007 reported a new genetic risk factor for MS. The study shows that people who have certain variations or mutations of two different genes (IL7RA and IL2RA) are more likely to have MS than people without these mutations. The data did not show a direct causal link, rather an increased susceptibility to MS.
Is multiple sclerosis (MS) genetic? A study published in August 2007 reported a new genetic risk factor for MS. The study shows that people who have certain variations or mutations of two different genes (IL7RA and IL2RA) are more likely to have MS than people without these mutations. The data did not show a direct causal link, rather an increased susceptibility to MS.
Gadolinium Warning for People with Kidney Disease
Gadolinium, the contrast agent used in MRI scans to indicate active lesions in MS patients, has been implicated in causing a deadly condition in people with kidney dysfunction, called NSF.
Gadolinium, the contrast agent used in MRI scans to indicate active lesions in MS patients, has been implicated in causing a deadly condition in people with kidney dysfunction, called NSF.
The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Multiple Sclerosis
The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is a rating system that is frequently used for classifying and standardizing the condition of people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is a rating system that is frequently used for classifying and standardizing the condition of people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis is extremely difficult. Many people live years with MS before receiving a definite diagnosis. Understand what constitutes a definite diagnosis of MS, the different tests and what your neurologist is looking for in trying to arrive at a diagnosis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis is extremely difficult. Many people live years with MS before receiving a definite diagnosis. Understand what constitutes a definite diagnosis of MS, the different tests and what your neurologist is looking for in trying to arrive at a diagnosis.
Multiple Sclerosis Types
Multiple sclerosis has four distinct types based on how symptoms change over time. These types are: relapsing-remitting MS, primary-progressive MS, secondary-progressive MS, and progressive-relapsing MS
Multiple sclerosis has four distinct types based on how symptoms change over time. These types are: relapsing-remitting MS, primary-progressive MS, secondary-progressive MS, and progressive-relapsing MS
Multiple Sclerosis Relapses 101
Multiple sclerosis relapses/exacerbations can be frustrating and cause anxiety. MS patients need to understand how symptoms appear and disappear. Knowing what to expect and how to react to relapses/exacerbations is an important part of MS management.
Multiple sclerosis relapses/exacerbations can be frustrating and cause anxiety. MS patients need to understand how symptoms appear and disappear. Knowing what to expect and how to react to relapses/exacerbations is an important part of MS management.
Understanding MS
Multiple sclerosis is a complex disease with many symptoms, degrees of severity and courses of progression. Learn the basics about MS, including: multiple sclerosis symptoms, risk factors, treatment, types, relapses, diagnosis and things to avoid if you have MS.
Multiple sclerosis is a complex disease with many symptoms, degrees of severity and courses of progression. Learn the basics about MS, including: multiple sclerosis symptoms, risk factors, treatment, types, relapses, diagnosis and things to avoid if you have MS.
The Causes of Multiple Sclerosis
The causes of MS are largely unknown, though researchers believe that a combination of environmental factors, immune system activity, infection and genetics are at work in causing multiple sclerosis.
The causes of MS are largely unknown, though researchers believe that a combination of environmental factors, immune system activity, infection and genetics are at work in causing multiple sclerosis.
Who Gets MS?
Because the exact causes of MS are unknown, researchers only partially understand MS risk factors. They have found that some things, like having a sibling with MS, increases risk slightly. However, much about MS risk remains unexplained.
Because the exact causes of MS are unknown, researchers only partially understand MS risk factors. They have found that some things, like having a sibling with MS, increases risk slightly. However, much about MS risk remains unexplained.