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Some of the intial symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis are difficulty in walking, numbness or "pins and needles", pain and loss of vision due to optic neuritis. You may also have tremor, incoordination, slurred speech, sudden onset of paralysis, and a decline in ability to think, reason and remember.
The exact causes of MS are not yet known but scientific research reveals that a number of fators combined is involved.
One is immunologic. It is now generally accepted that MS involves an autoimmune process- an abnormal immune response directed against the Central Nervous System.
Another is environmental. Studies show that exposure to some environmental agent that occurs before puberty may predispose a person to develop MS later in life.
Next is viral. It is possible, but not yet proven that a virus may be responsible for triggering MS. More than a dozen viruses, including measles, canine distemper, and herpes are being investigated to determine if they play a role in the onset of MS.
Last, is genetic. While MS is not hereditary, having a first degree relative with MS increases your risk of developing the disease several-fold above the risk on the general population.
Some neurologists believe that MS develops because a person is born with a genetic prediposition to react to some environmental agent, which triggers an autoimmune response.
There is no laboratory test, symptom, or physical finding that always means a person has MS. Some of the symptoms of MS could be caused by another disease. But the basic rule for diagnosing MS relies on two things:
1.There must have been two attacks at leasts one month apart. An attack is a sudden appearance or worsening of an MS symptom which lasts at least 24 hours.
2. There must be more than one area of damage to central nrevous system myelin. Damage must have occured at more than one point in time and not have been caused by any other disease that can cause demyelination or similar neurologic symptoms.
Diagnosis invloves a careful and often long, process which demonstrates findings that are common with MS and also rules out other causes. Doctors will perform a clinical exam that includes history and tests of function and also MRIs to detect scarring in the brain.
There is currently no cure for MS but excellent treatment is available and studies are being conducted every day to find a cure for this disease.
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