Early Signs of MS

By jolene

Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease where the insulating covers on the nerve cells in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) are damaged. It is a disease that can have a relapsing and remitting pattern with short durations of neurological deficits that may resolve partially or completely. Some patients will experience continuous neurological deterioration.

The cause of MS is still unclear but a combination of factors have been implicated. MS is usually diagnosed based on clinical findings, laboratory investigations, and medical imaging. Treatment often involves various aspects with both pharmacological and nonpharmacological options.

1. Mechanism

In MS, the insulating covers of the nerve cells in the central nervous system are damaged. These lesions are known as plaques and often appear indurated (sclerosis). The location of the lesions usually dictates the symptoms that the patient experiences. This is also why patients with MS may experience many different symptoms. Although the cause is unclear, it is believed to be an immune-mediated condition that occurs due to an interaction of the patient’s genetics and environmental factors. The damage (at least some of it) is believed to be caused by the patient’s own immune system attacking the nervous system.