According to Healthline, approximately one million people in the United States have multiple sclerosis, with an additional 200 people diagnosed each week. This illness, more commonly known as MS, affects people of all ages and backgrounds.

If you or a loved one has MS, it's critical to understand the condition, its symptoms, and how it's treated. Multiple sclerosis may be a challenging condition to live with, but understanding it can help you live a better life.

Multiple Sclerosis Early Warning Signs

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that damages the body's myelin, the coating that guards nerve fibers. This can disrupt nerve function and potentially result in irreversible nerve damage.

According to NMSS, issues with vision are one of the most typical early signs of multiple sclerosis. Optic neuritis, or inflammation of the optic nerve, can result in impaired vision, black patches, or one-eyed blindness in certain individuals. Fortunately, like many of the visual issues caused by MS, this is curable, and the majority of patients recover completely. Diplopia, or double vision, is another symptom of MS that is caused by weakening or loss of coordination in the muscles around the eyes.

Another early indication of MS is numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, or face. The numbness normally begins mildly but can develop until it interferes with functioning. Some patients with MS struggle to walk because of numbness in their feet, while others struggle to write or handle items because of numbness in their hands.

Because everyone with MS has a unique experience with the condition, no two people will have the same symptoms in the same sequence. Other early indications of MS include:

How Is MS Diagnosed?

MS may be difficult to diagnose, which is why many patients receive the wrong diagnosis or no diagnosis at all for years. Because there is no one test that can definitively diagnose multiple sclerosis, clinicians typically work through a process of elimination and begin by ruling out other health disorders. Blood testing can detect Lyme disease, vitamin deficiencies, and other autoimmune disorders that may cause symptoms similar to MS.

Your doctor may prescribe an MRI to generate a thorough scan of your brain and spinal cord. According to Healthline, demyelination is an indication that your immune system is attacking the myelin sheathing your nerve fibers, and if you have MS, your MRI may reveal evidence of this.

A lumbar puncture may be required to diagnose multiple sclerosis. A hollow needle will be inserted into your lower back during this surgery to draw cerebrospinal fluid from your spine. The cerebral fluid will next be analyzed for high levels of IgG antibodies, which is a typical symptom of MS. A high white blood cell count in cerebrospinal fluid might also be indicative of MS.

An evoked potential test is the last test your doctor may use to identify MS. This test examines electrical activity in your brain and can reveal decreased transmission along your optic nerve, which is common in persons with MS.

If your doctor determines that there is no other underlying illness and discovers signs of injury to more than one central nervous system location, you'll be diagnosed with MS. Following your diagnosis, you and your doctor will collaborate to determine the most effective therapies for your symptoms.

What Is the Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis?

Because there is no cure for MS, most therapies are aimed at avoiding flare-ups and treating symptoms. According to MultipleSclerosis.net, disease-modifying medicines, or DMDs, can reduce relapses and decrease the formation of plaques and lesions in the brain and spinal cord. DMDs can be administered orally, intravenously, or via injection

Because the majority of MS symptoms are caused by inflammation, physicians frequently give corticosteroids during flare-ups. If your body is unable to handle corticosteroids, your doctor may instead propose plasma exchange. This procedure involves removing your plasma from the rest of your blood cells, mixing it with a protein solution, and reintroducing it to your body.

Symptoms including weariness, muscular spasms, and bladder issues can be treated with other drugs. Physical therapy can also be beneficial in the treatment of MS, particularly for people who suffer from persistent pain and lack muscular control. Physical therapy will teach you how to strengthen your muscles so that you can perform everyday tasks without pain.

In addition to traditional medicines, many MS patients also benefit from alternative therapies. The following are some of the most frequent alternative therapies for MS:

Living with MS

Stress has been shown to cause multiple sclerosis flare-ups; therefore, therapies that reduce stress, like massage and meditation, can be very beneficial. However, you should always see your doctor before attempting an alternative therapy, and you should not discontinue your conventional therapies unless your doctor advises you to do so.

Although multiple sclerosis can be physically and psychologically taxing, the majority of those who have MS are able to live regular lives. A combination of medicine and lifestyle adjustments should prevent flare-ups, delay disease progression, and enhance the quality of life.

It's always a good idea to stay current on the newest research. Before deciding on treatment, we recommend examining at least three or four alternatives. The most efficient and complete approach to learning about all the benefits and drawbacks of MS treatments is an online search.