Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the central nervous system. This portion of the eMedTV Web site discusses this condition in more detail, including information on its diagnosis, patterns, and possible causes.
Each of the four types of multiple sclerosis exhibit different symptoms and progression patterns. This article from the eMedTV library further discusses the various types of multiple sclerosis and how each affects patients differently.
The development of multiple sclerosis may be linked to the autoimmune process or genetics. This eMedTV resource looks at possible multiple sclerosis causes and explains scientific theories as to why myelin damage occurs, leading to the disease.
As this eMedTV page explains, the type of early symptoms of multiple sclerosis one experiences depends on the parts of the central nervous system that are affected. This page lists early signs and symptoms of the condition, such as muscle weakness.
Early symptoms of multiple sclerosis often include vague feelings of weakness or exhaustion. This eMedTV article provides a list of multiple sclerosis symptoms, including an explanation of how multiple sclerosis occurs.
As this eMedTV Web page explains, diagnosing multiple sclerosis usually involves a neurological exam, medical history, and lab tests. This article explains the diagnosis procedure and how certain tests, such as an MRI, are useful diagnostic tools.
As this eMedTV page explains, because the disease is incurable, treatment for multiple sclerosis focuses on controlling the immune system and managing related symptoms. This page describes treatment options, such as medication and physical therapy.
This eMedTV segment explores how disease progression, diagnostics, and life expectancy can all affect a prognosis for multiple sclerosis. Because symptoms vary in severity and speed of progression changes, a single prognosis does not exist.
Pregnancy and multiple sclerosis, when handled simultaneously, may be difficult to juggle. As this eMedTV page explains, since many MS drugs may have adverse affects on unborn babies, it can be difficult to deal with pregnancy and multiple sclerosis.
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis tend to mimic those of other diseases, so a misdiagnosis is not uncommon. This eMedTV page discusses why a misdiagnosis can occur when someone has multiple sclerosis and how new technologies help solve this problem.
Current multiple sclerosis research is focused on better understanding the disease and new treatments that may lead to a cure. This eMedTV page offers multiple sclerosis research findings on areas of focus such as the immune system and medicines.
According to multiple sclerosis statistics, the disease rarely occurs in people under age 15 or over age 60. This eMedTV segment provides other multiple sclerosis statistics, including who it affects and economic costs associated with the disease.
