A long-lasting disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) affects an individual’s brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves in the eyes. It can cause complications with the vision, muscle control, balance, and other basic bodily functions.

The effects of MS are often quite different for everyone who suffers from this disease. Some people only have mild symptoms and don’t need any treatment. Others may have trouble getting around and doing daily tasks.

MS occurs when the immune system attacks a fatty material known as myelin, which is wrapped around the nerve fibers to protect them. Without this outer shell, the nerves become damaged, and this may also lead to the formation of scar tissue.

The damage means that the brain cannot send signals through the body correctly. The nerves also don’t work like they should to help one move and feel. As a result, an individual suffering from MS may have symptoms like:

• Trouble walking
• Problems focusing or remembering
• Feeling tired
• Depression
• Muscle weakness or spasms
• Pain
• Blurred or double vision
• Poor bladder or bowel control
• Numbness and tingling
• Sexual problems

Types of multiple sclerosis
In some ways, every person suffering from MS lives with a different illness. Although nerve damage is always a part of this disease, the pattern of damage is unique for everyone.

Doctors have identified a few major types of this health condition. The types are important because they help in predicting how severe the MS can be and how well the treatment will work.

Some of the different types of MS are:

• Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS) – About 85% of people are diagnosed with this type of MS. They have temporary periods known as flare-ups, relapses, or exacerbations when new types of symptoms appear.
• Secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) – In this type of MS, the symptoms progressively deteriorate over time. Now, this could include the occurrence of remissions and relapses.
• Primary-progressive MS (PPMS) – Occurring in only about 10% of people, this type of MS is characterized by slowly deteriorating symptoms right from the beginning of the disease with no remissions or relapses.
• Progressive-relapsing MS (PRMS) – This is one of the rare cases of MS, which is characterized by steadily deteriorating state of the disease right from the beginning with no remissions, however, few acute relapses.

Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
Diagnosis MS can be a challenge for doctors. There is no single test that can prove that an individual is suffering from it. And many health conditions have symptoms that are similar to MS.

A neurologist, who is a doctor that specializes in treating this disease, should be able to help. They will ask the patient how they are feeling and help them figure out if their symptoms mean they have MS or another problem.

The doctor will look for a certain set of signs that point to MS, these include finding damage to at least two areas of the central nervous system (the brain, the spinal cord, and the optic nerves); prove that the damage happened at different points in time; and rule out any other diagnosis.

The doctor would start by asking the patient about their medical history and symptoms. They will also do a few tests to see if the brain and the spinal cord are working in the way they should. These tests include:

• MRI
• Spinal taps
• Evoked potentials
• Blood tests

After the diagnosis of MS, the doctor will decide upon the best course of treatment to help an individual suffering from the disease. The treatment options may include disease-modifying drugs, lifestyle changes, and others. The doctor may also advise on how to treat flare-ups and control the symptoms.