The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) can be a difficult feat for two reasons: one, there isn’t a particular test used to detect the condition, and two, a number of conditions pertaining to the nervous system can present themselves with symptoms similar to MS.
In diagnosing multiple sclerosis, patients are referred to a neurologist, who is a doctor specializing in diagnosis and treatment of brain and nervous system disorders. Your neurologist will likely ask you questions about your symptoms and check your medical history to determine whether it is MS or another condition that has befallen you.
Steps Your Neurologist Takes
There is a particular group of signs that are directly associated with multiple sclerosis. In order to reach a diagnosis, your neurologist will look for injury to a minimum of two sections of your central nervous system. They must also ascertain that the damage has occurred at different times, as well as eliminate the possibility of other diseases.
Methods Used for MS Diagnosis
In addition to reviewing your medical history and learning more about your symptoms, your neurologist will likely order some tests to check whether the brain and spinal cord are functioning correctly. These tests may include:
Blood Tests: While blood tests alone are not enough for an MS diagnosis, your neurologist may need to order them to check for the presence of certain substances that can hint at the condition. More notably, blood tests can be an effective tool in eliminating the possibility of other conditions that resemble MS.
MRI: an imaging test that allows for a closer inspection of the brain to check for signs of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord that may have been caused by MS. An MRI scan alone is typically not enough to reach a diagnosis, however, meaning your doctor must take into account additional information and your specific symptoms before reaching a conclusive diagnosis.
Spinal Taps: This is a test that screens the fluid that flows through the spinal cord. It is used to measure protein levels and other elements associated with MS.
Evoked Potentials: These are electrical nerve screenings that can allow your neurologist to ascertain whether MS has impacted the areas of your brain that facilitate sensory functions such as seeing, feeling, and hearing. The test measures your brain’s response to certain stimuli.
The reality is that reaching a definitive MS diagnosis can be a long-winded process. It can take so long–even years–that the news may be a huge relief or still a big shock. In any case, it is entirely normal and reasonable to be concerned about the outlook and how this condition can potentially impact and change your life as well as of those closest to you.
Be vocal about your concerns and feelings, and make sure you have a strong emotional support system in place, which can be friends or even a therapist. Your healthcare providers can also assist you in every step of the way, particularly in helping you learn how to live with MS and devising the most effective treatment plan for you.
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