Diagnosis is the process of identifying a particular condition via a systematic way. Differential diagnosis is the method of pinpointing all possible aetiological factors that are related with all clinical signs and symptoms and thus, precisely differentiating diagnosis until an accurate conclusion is made. Differential diagnosis is essential especially in field of neurology where many diseases share similar characteristics but has no definite examination or neurological test: Parkinsonism, migraine, amyotrophic sclerosis and also, multiple sclerosis. Differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is very broad in nature. About hundred conditions can imitate multiple sclerosis, this figure is rather an under-estimate. However, it is impractical and tedious to perform such differential diagnosis routinely to rule out multiple sclerosis. Instead, key features of each patient allow a rational consideration of relevant alternate diagnosis. Potential multiple sclerosis “mimics” can be easily distinguished from other patients as most relapsing onset patients have either optic neuritis or myelitic syndromes. 1. Monosymptomatic demyelination It is a single attack of optic neuritis, horizontal myelitis or any other lesions limited to one anatomic localization at one point in time. It represents first incident of multiple sclerosis. It shares similar symptoms and covers a broad spectrum of other neurologic disorders. More than half of the cases have abnormal MRI, with other subclinical lesions in other parts of central nervous system. Time factor differentiates this disease from multiple sclerosis. Presence of another lesion after MRI done a month later will imply multiple sclerosis. 2. Schilder disease It is the demyel... ... middle of paper ... ...d may be increased. Meningeal abnormalities are often seen in MRI. Skin, lung and lymph node biopsies are definitive. 15. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) It is the arrest of second cranial nerve because of vascular disorder, either vasculitic or artheroclerotic. Subacute or sudden monocular vision loss may resemble optic neuritis as in multiple sclerosis. The disease is commonly affecting elderly patients (more than 50 years) with lipid plaques risk factors. However, no other symptom of multiple sclerosis is seen. Normal cerebrospinal fluid and MRI scanning are evident. 16. Cogan syndrome It is the disease of interstitial keratitis with deafness and vertigo attacks. Ataxic incidents may occasionally report. Abnormal MRI scans are of rare complaints. Deafness is very rare incidence in multiple sclerosis. Plus, cerebrospinal fluid readings are normal.
MS causes a degeneration of the myelin around axons due to the killing off of oligodendrocytes, which are cells that make up the myelin sheath of an axon; losing myelin decreases the neuron’s ability to propagate an action potential. Since this disease affects the central nervous system, MS can cause dysfunction of both the sensory and the motor aspects of the body. Some common sensory complaints(Lundy-Ekman, 2007) of MS are tingling, numbness, and/or paresthesia in the affected area, which is variable but typically involves one or more limbs (Palace, 2001), as well as partial blindness in one eye, a decrease in vision acuity, and double vision. Lhermitte’s sign, which is a radiating shock that travels down the back or limbs, is another common characteristic of MS that aff...
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is generally thought to be an autoimmune disease that attacks the myelin sheaths, or oligodendrocytes that cover nerve axons in the central nervous system (PubMed Health 2013). This immune response causes inflammation, which triggers immune cells to destroy axons “along any area of the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord” (PubMed Health 2013). When the myelin sheath “is damaged, nerve signals slow down or stop” thus hindering the propagation of action potentials and limiting function (PubMed Health 2013).
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic degenerative disease of the central nervous system, in which the myelin that covers the nerves is somehow eaten away and scar tissue for multiple sclerosis in its place, interrupting the nerve’s signals. This disease has an unpredictable and uncontrollable course which leads to the loss of vision, hearing, speech, the ability to walk, control of bladder and bowels, sensitivity to touch, vibration and pain, potency and coordination of movements. The list of possibilities is lengthy and horrifying.
According to National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. The central nervous system (CNS) comprises of the brain and the spinal cord. CNS is coated and protected by myelin sheath that is made of fatty tissues (Slomski, 2005). The inflammation and damage of the myelin sheath causing it to form a scar (sclerosis). This results in a number of physical and mental symptoms, including weakness, loss of coordination, and loss of speech and vision. The way the disease affect people is always different; some people experience only a single attack and recover quickly, while others condition degenerate over time (Wexler, 2013). Hence, the diagnosis of MS is mostly done by eliminating the symptoms of other diseases. Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects both men and women, but generally, it is more common in women more than men. The disease is most usually diagnosed between ages 20 and 40, however, it can occur at any age. Someone with a family history of the disease is more likely to suffer from it. Although MS is not
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complicated chronic deteriorating disease that has an effect on the central nervous system (CNS). This disease causes destruction of the myelin around the nerve fibers. “The exact etiology of Multiple Sclerosis is unknown; however, it is thought to be an immune mediated disease. MS is characterized by CNS inflammation, demyelination, and axonal loss” (Compston & Coles, 2008). Typically, it is described by early relapses and remissions of neurological signs of the CNS. This is known as relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). MS can be identified by a variety of known risk factors. Multiple Sclerosis can be brought on by a mixture of inherited and environmental risk factors such as smoking or an exposure to a virus like Epstein Barr. The inflammatory process has an interesting role on the central nervous system.
It is also estimated that approximately two and half million people are living with the disease... The name multiple sclerosis refers to the scars that are present in the brain and spinal cord is seen on an MRI. An autoimmune disorder is where a person’s immune system mistakes its own white blood cells as invaders and begins to attack itself damaging healthy body tissue. In these types of disorders, the immune system cannot tell the difference between healthy cells and antigens, which are foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses. Because of the damage, it does to the nerve cells; nerve signals can either slow down or stop completely. Inflammation, or the body’s reaction to infection, is what causes this nerve damage to happen. Multiple sclerosis is most commonly seen in the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord and often leads to physical and cognitive
Multiple Sclerosis is a nervous system disease that affects the spinal cord and the brain by damaging the myelin sheaths that protects nerve cells. Destroyed myelin prevents messages from communicating and sending properly from the brain, through the spinal cord, to internal body parts. In the United States, more than 350,000 people are diagnosed with this disease. Anyone can get this disease, but it is more common among Caucasian women. MS symptoms begin between the ages 20-40 and are caused by nerve lesions being present in multiple areas of the Central Nervous System, symptoms differ on the lesion’s location.
M.S., as some would call it, also known as multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease. This disease, in particular, could also be viewed as an autoimmune disorder. It is not nearly as fatal as the sexually transmitted disease (AIDS), yet it can be just as debilitating. What exactly is Multiple Sclerosis? Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which the immune system malfunctions and begins to attack the myelin sheath. The myelin sheath is an insulating cover around the nerves. Myelin provides the nervous system with communication signals. Once the myelin starts to deteriorate, the signals providing specific voluntary movements become distorted. After the self-involuntary damage, scarring begins to form thus concluding the term, sclerosis.
Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the Central Nervous System including the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. The immune system attacks the protective sheath called myelin that helps nerve fibers conduct electrical impulses (Early, pg. 517,2013). It disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and the body. Multiple Sclerosis is diagnosed when there will be the evidenced of damage in at least two separate parts of Central Nervous System (Early, pg. 517,2013). It causes the demyelination that is disruption of the myelin that insulates and protects nerve cells of spinal nerve and brain cells. The cause of Multiple Sclerosis is still unknown (Early, pg. 517,2013). Most commonly affects the people between the ages of 15 and 60. It can occur at any age and can appear in children, teens, and older adults. It is more common in women than men (Early, pg. 517,2013). It may follow various courses related to progression
Most patients have experienced various symptoms of all ranges and were ignored or have been thought to be signs of another illness. When MS is suspected, the patient will undergo a physical exam to see if they have spasms or tremors. A doctor will try to locate damage in two different areas of the Central Nervous System that include the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves. They will also perform evaluations on a person’s senses that involve coordination, balance, and vision. (NATIONAL MS SOCIETY WEBSITE) A neurological exam will also need to be in effect, one of these exams could be a Spinal Tap, also known as a Lumbar Puncture, which is a procedure that removes the fluid that surrounds your spinal cord and brain. Once the fluid is removed, it can be tested to reveal the quantity of immunoglobulins (antibodies), oligoclonal bands, and the specific proteins that are responsible for the break down of the myelin sheaths. And after testing, if a large amount of these are found, then it is an indication that there is an “abnormal autoimmune response within the brain and spinal cord, which means that the body is attacking itself” (WEBMD SPINAL TAP). But of course, a spinal tap does not positively confirm MS being present, but it does not deny it either, it is procedure to rule out all other possible diagnosis’ and conditions that
Primarily, the term MS refers to a chronic disorder that attacks the central nervous system (CNS). It is most common in temperate continents such as Europe and Australia with Asiatic and African continents having a lower risk of the disease (Wiley Online Library, 2013). A search organised by the Multiple Sclerosis Society (2013) has estimated that there are 127,000 people living with MS in the United Kingdom. Further research by Chipps, Clanin, and Campbell (1992, pp. 158-167) shows that MS disorder more likely affects women than men with its symptoms occurring between the ages of 20 and 40 in most cases and is quite uncommon in childhood and old age. The nerve cells known as neurons in the brain constantly transmit and receive signals. They invoke emotions, activities and cognition that constitute the day to day experiences of humans. Under normal circumstances, these signals travel on a protected insulation path known as the myelin sheath. This insulation is vital as it enables signals to reach their target. In Multiple Sclerosis, the myelin sheath gets disintegrated causing the nerve fibre to be damaged leading to a disruption in the abili...
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke describes multiple sclerosis as “an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system, multiple sclerosis (MS) can range from relatively benign to somewhat disabling to devastating, as communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted” (NINDS 2015). An autoimmune disease is one where the body attacks itself. With multiple sclerosis, the body begins to attack the myelin sheaths of the neurons; causing demyelination. Demyelination is the loss of the myelin sheaths along the axons. When demyelination occurs, the body loses the ability to communicate with itself. This is problematic because neurons do not regenerate and the cause of multiple sclerosis is
However, a number of well-established findings have been incorporated into a hypothesis to explain the etiology of MS (Mahan & Escott-Stump, 2008). “Although a familial predisposition to MS has been noted in a minority of cases, familial tendency is not well established' no consistent pattern of Mendelian inheritance has emerged” (Victor & Ropper, 2005) (p.1093). MS is known to be a immune - mediated demyelinating, progressive disease the affects the CNS. The term Multiple Sclerosis is called multiple because multiple areas of the optic nerves, spinal cord, and brain undergo “Sclerosis” where myelin is replaced with sclera or scar
MRI Scans (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) have completely revolutionized the diagnosis and surveillance of all patients going through all stages of Multiple Sclerosis. The precise images produced by MRI’s allow the physicians to get a clear cut visual of anything abnormal within the deep tissues of the brain. MRI’s are particularly used when detecting central nervous system demyelination.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an erratic disease of the central nervous system that is often disabling. This disease interrupts the transmission of information from the brain to the body. MS attacks the myelin on nerve cells, which is a coating around the cells. The cause of MS is still unknown. Researchers believe that people are born with a genetic predisposition and that can be triggered by unknown environmental factors which result in developing the disease. MS affects 2.3 million people in the world. Though, the cause is unknown, there are factors that are associated with the disease including gender, genetics, age, geography, and ethnic background. The majority of people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. MS is