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Specter of Multiple Sclerosis
Diverse and unpredictable: Multiple sclerosis, or MS for short, is considered to be one of the most common chronic inflammatory nerve diseases and usually breaks out in young adulthood. Worldwide, around 2.5 million people suffer from the multifaceted disease, of which about 70 percent are women. The inflammation causes a variety of symptoms that often occur relapses - ie at intervals - and consequently cause physical restrictions.
"Although MS continues to be considered incurable, the use of modern diagnostic and therapeutic procedures can delay the relapses and slow down further progression," Dr. med. Annette Failing, Specialist for Radiology and Neuroradiology of radprax Münster. The expert will explain which first signs affected people should look for and what the individual therapy steps look like.
Fear of multiple sclerosis (Image: Zerbor / fotolia.com) Versatile harbingers
As a rule, the first signs of MS occur between the ages of 20 and 40 years. Although there are no definite triggers for multiple sclerosis, hereditary factors and environmental factors may promote dysregulation of the immune system. In this case, suddenly occurring inflammatory lesions attack the central nervous system and prevent the transmission of important nerve stimuli, which are responsible for movements and vision.
"Those affected, for example, have the feeling of seeing through a frosted glass window, or there are emotional disturbances in the arms or legs. Weakness when walking or standing as well as an indistinct or washed-out pronunciation may indicate chronic neuritis, "says dr. Failing. However, the symptoms vary from patient to patient and sometimes disappear for several weeks, so that experts also speak of a "disease with many faces".
Revealing examination method
In particular, the suspicion of MS triggers uncertainty in those concerned with the fear of possible consequences. In order to make a quick and reliable diagnosis, a comprehensive medical history, ie a documentation of the symptoms, is first carried out by the doctor. This is followed by in-depth neurological examinations, for example using imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI for short. "The low-radiation and high-resolution diagnostic device provides information about typical sources of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord, so that multiple sclerosis can be detected at an early stage," explains the radprax expert.
Effective therapy options
The focus of treatment for MS patients is to prevent relapses and to slow down further progression. For this purpose, depending on the severity and severity, especially medications are used that affect the immune system. Especially in the early stages, even if there are no symptoms, the therapy consists of close-meshed MRI examinations and drug treatment.
"In the case of an acute episode of disease, the person concerned usually receives a high-dose cortisone infusion for three to five days. This suppresses inflammatory reactions and allows the symptoms to subside quickly ", Dr. Failing. Due to the unpredictable course of the disease and the associated burden on those affected and relatives, open communication with the attending physician is an important prerequisite for obtaining a realistic picture of the disease. Although multiple sclerosis means a deep cut in life, the quality of life of those affected can be maintained relatively long with the help of modern therapeutic measures.