Author: dearfibromyalgia

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease that affects the nerves. This damage often leads to severe symptoms such as:

• muscle pain
• vision problems
• numbness
• tingling
• weakness

MS can be aggressive and advance rapidly in some people. In other cases, with long periods of inactivity, it can be mild and develop at a much slower pace.

In any case, for people with MS, physical therapy (PT) can be an important part of treatment. Read on to learn what PT can do to help you manage your MS.

Understanding Physical Therapy For MS

PT for MS includes exercises to strengthen your muscles and improve your gait and balance and coordination. It also includes stretches to help you stay mobile and avoid muscle spasms. PT can also include training on how mobility aids such as a cane, walker or wheelchair can be used.

Even in the earliest stages of MS, PT can be helpful.

• learn how to support and cope with your changing body
• avoid aggravating symptoms
• develop strength and endurance
• recover skills after a relapse of the disease

A discussion with a physical therapist can help you understand how the disease is going to change your body. Getting PT can help you prepare for these changes and help you maintain a healthy lifestyle or improve it.

Understanding Physical Therapy on MS Stages

At different stages of your condition, and for different types of MS, PT can be helpful.

1^st is at Diagnosis Stage

It is necessary to see a physical therapist for a baseline evaluation at the time of your MS diagnosis. This examination allows the therapist to see what your body can do now so that they can compare it to your future abilities. You can also address your physical limitations and consider the fitness and physical activity rates that are ideal for you.

You may not need to keep seeing a physical therapist after the initial test. But, if you have an aggressive, fast-growing type of MS, you’ll probably want to continue with PT.

2^nd is at a Relapse Stage

A relapse sometimes referred to as a flare or exacerbation is a time when MS symptoms are more frequent and extreme. You may have more trouble with everyday tasks during this time, which include:

• walking
• bathing
• working
• cooking

Through doing a physical examination and comparing it with your initial assessment, the physical therapist will understand how the relapse impacts you. You will visit your physical therapist after a relapse to restart PT. After a relapse, therapy may help you recover some of the strength that you may have lost during the relapse.

3^rd is at Progressive Stage

You don’t suffer relapses if you have primary progressive MS. Rather, the condition is worsening slowly and steadily.

If this type of MS is diagnosed, ask your doctor immediately to refer you to a physical therapist. For your health and well-being, starting PT as soon as possible is crucial. PT will show you how to make up for the changes you are going to experience. You may also need to learn how to use a mobility aid like a standing or wheelchair unit.

4^th is at Advanced Stage

Individuals with advanced MS experience severe symptoms of MS. People with advanced MS are non-ambulatory in most cases. This means that without help from another person or a motorized device, they cannot walk or get around. People also have an increased risk of developing other health conditions like osteoporosis or epilepsy at this stage.

People with advanced MS still have the potential to benefit from PT. For example, PT can help you learn how to sit properly, develop strength of the upper body and maintain the ability to use mobility aids.

Understanding Treatment Plan

If you have MS, discuss your recovery plan with your doctor. If you want to start working with a physical therapist, ask for a referral from your doctor.

For everyone, MS is different, and some people may well respond to some exercises, while others may not. Be frank about your symptoms and how you feel with your doctor and counselor so that they can develop an effective PT plan for you.

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Knowing the normal progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) because it will help you gain a sense of control and make better decisions.

Therefore MS arises when an unusual targeting of the central nervous system (CNS) by the body’s immune system, although it is not considered an autoimmune condition. Because the CNS attack destroys the myelin and the myelin-protected nerve fibers. So the harm disrupts and distorts the spinal cord’s nerve impulses.

People with MS usually take one of four severe disease courses.

Understanding Identifying Symptoms of MS

Therefore the first step to remember happens until the doctor has made an MS diagnosis. So you may have symptoms that worry you at this initial stage.

However genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role in getting MS. Therefore MS is running in your family, and you’re worried about your likelihood of developing the disease.

So you may have had symptoms previously that your doctor said you may have been indicative of MS. However the common symptoms include:

• fatigue
• walking difficulties
• cognitive changes
• vertigo
• numbness
• tingling
• weakness
• dizziness
• pain

Therefore the doctor will decide at this point whether you are at high risk of developing the disorder based on your medical history or physical examination.

So there is no definitive test to verify the existence of MS, however, many of the symptoms often present with other conditions, so it can be difficult to diagnose the disorder.

Understanding New diagnosis

Similarly the next move on the process is to obtain an MS diagnosis. Because if there is clear evidence that you have had separate episodes of disease activity in your CNS, the doctor will diagnose you with MS.

Therefore it can often take time to make this diagnosis because it is necessary to rule out other conditions first. So these are diseases with CNS, inflammatory disorders with CNS, and genetic disorders.

However in the new stage of diagnosis, you are likely to discuss treatment options with your doctor and learn new ways with your condition to manage daily activities.

Therefore MS is available in various types and stages. So learn more about the different types below.

1^st is Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS)

This is the first episode of symptoms in the brain or spinal cord caused by inflammation and myelin coverage damage. Technically, CIS does not follow the MS diagnostic criteria as it is an isolated incident with only one region of demyelination responsible for symptoms.

If an MRI in the past reveals another case, you may make an MS diagnosis.

2^nd is Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS)

Therefore the relapse-remitting form of MS usually follows a predictable pattern of cycles of worsening and then improving symptoms. Because it may gradually lead to secondary–progressive MS.

 According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), about 85 percent of people with MS were initially diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS.

However people with RRMS experience MS flare-ups (relapses). So the nature of the disease is likely to change over a couple of decades and become more complex.

3^rd is Secondary-Progressive MS (SPMS)

Therefore Relapsing-remitting MS can turn the disease into a more aggressive form. Because the NMSS estimates that, when left untreated, within a decade of the first diagnosis, half of those with the condition’s relapsing-remitting type experience secondary-progressive MS.

You may still experience relapses in the secondary–progressive MS. These are then followed by partial recoveries or remission periods, but between cycles the disease does not disappear. Rather, it is deteriorating slowly.

4^th is Primary-Progressive MS (PPMS)

Approximately 15% of people are diagnosed with a relatively uncommon form of the disease, called primary-progressive MS.

This form is characterized by slow and steady progression of the disease without any periods of remission. Some people with primary-progressive MS experience occasional plateaus as well as minor function improvements that tend to be temporary in their symptoms. The level of change over time varies.

Understanding MS Affect Your Vision.

At some stage, individuals with MS are likely to experience double vision or blurred vision. You may also lose your sight partially or completely. This often happens at a time with one eye. Those with partial or complete vision problems are more likely to end up with some form of permanent loss of vision.

Improvements in vision can be a big adjustment if you have MS. Understanding you have options is crucial. Occupational and physical therapists will help you learn how to live a healthy, productive way of living your daily life.

Understanding Types of Vision Disturbances

Vision issues may come and go for individuals with MS. They can only affect one or both eyes. The issues may get worse and then go home, or they may hang around.

Learning the types of visual disturbances that you may encounter will help you prepare to cope with them if they are permanent.

Common MS-related Visual Disturbances include:

1^st is Optic Neuritis

Optic neuritis causes vision in one eye to be blurred or hazy. This effect in your field of vision could be represented as a smudge. You may also have mild pain or discomfort, especially when you move your eye. The greatest visual disturbance is likely to be in the center of your vision field, but it can also cause side-seeing trouble. Colors may not be as vibrant as usual.

Optic neuritis occurs when the protective coating around the optic nerve begins to break down through MS. It’s called demyelination this cycle. As MS worsens, demyelination becomes wider and more chronic. This often means that the symptoms will get worse and the body may not fully return to normal once the symptoms are gone.

According to the Multiple Sclerosis Trust, at least once during the course of the disorder, 70% of people with MS will experience optic neuritis. Optic neuritis may be their first symptom of MS for some people.

For up to two weeks, the symptoms of pain and blurred vision may get worse and then start to improve.

Many people have normal vision of an acute episode of optic neuritis within two to six months. Generally African-Americans suffer more serious loss of vision, with one Trusted Source study showing just 61 percent restoration of vision after a year. In contrast, their vision was restored in 92 percent of Caucasians. A specific Trusted Source study found the more serious the attack, the less severe the outcome.

2^nd is Diplopia

Each eye transmits the same information to the brain in normal functioning eyes for it to perceive and grow into an image. Diplopia, or double vision, occurs when two objects are sent to the brain by the eyes. It confuses the mind and can make you see twice as much.

Diplopia is normal once the brainstem is damaged by MS. The brainstem helps to coordinate the movement of the eyes, so any damage can result in mixed eye signals.

Diplopia can be fully and spontaneously resolved, although progressive MS can lead to persistent double vision.

3^rd is Nystagmus

Nystagmus is an unintentional eye movement. The movement is often rhythmic, resulting in the eye feeling jerking or jumping. Because of these uncontrolled motions, you can feel dizziness and nausea.

Oscillopsia is also common in people with MS, a feeling that the world is swinging from side to side or up and down.

A MS attack on the inner ear or the cerebellum, the control center of the brain, also triggers this form of visual disruption. Some people experience it only when they look in one direction. With some activities, the symptoms may get worse.

Typically, nystagmus occurs as a chronic or relapse symptom of MS. Treatment can help repair your sense of balance and vision.

4^th is Blindness

As the severity of MS increases, so will the symptoms. It involves the dream you have. Individuals with MS can suffer a partial or complete blindness. Advanced demyelination may damage the vision responsible for your optic nerve or other parts of your body. This can have a lasting effect on the vision.

Understanding Coping with Vision Changes

Understanding your causes can help prevent or decrease your recurrence rate. A trigger is anything that triggers or makes the symptoms worse. For example, people with their MS symptoms may have a harder time in warm environments.

A slightly higher core body temperature impairs a demyelinated nerve’s ability to perform electrical impulses, growing symptoms of MS, and blurring vision. People with MS may use cooling jackets or neck wraps during outdoor or physical activity to maintain body temperature. You can also wear lightweight clothing and enjoy frozen drinks and ice pops.

Understanding Other Triggers Include:

• fatigue
• lack of sleep
• cold, increase spasticity
• stress

Consult with your physician to identify potential causes so that the symptoms can be better managed.

You should also be prepared to live with them in addition to trying to eliminate visual problems. Visual distractions can affect your life profoundly, both in terms of daily living and emotional well-being.

Understanding Doctor Needs

Having a supportive, elevating support group between your peers, family members, and larger community will help you prepare for and embrace visual changes that can become more permanent. Your doctor may also recommend a community organization to help people with vision issues learn new ways of living their lives. Talk to your doctor, psychologist, or community center for ideas at your clinic.

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis

A chronic, progressive autoimmune condition affecting the central nervous system is multiple sclerosis (MS). MS develops when the myelin is damaged by the immune system that protects the spinal cord and brain nerve fibers. This is called demyelination, which creates problems in interaction between the nerves and the brain. It may eventually damage the nerves.

At present, the cause of multiple sclerosis is unclear. Genetic and environmental factors can play a role, it’s thought. There is currently no cure for MS, although the symptoms may be reduced by treatments.

However it can be difficult to diagnose multiple sclerosis; there is no single test that can diagnose this. Because, a diagnosis usually requires several tests in order to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms. Therefore once the doctor has done a physical examination because if they believe you may have MS, they will probably order some different tests.

Understanding MS Blood Tests

Blood tests are likely to be part of the initial workup if your doctor believes you may have MS. Usually, blood tests may not result in a definite MS diagnosis, but other conditions may be omitted.

• Lyme disease
• Syphilis
• rare hereditary disorders

Understanding MS MRI Tests

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the test of choice in combination with initial blood tests for MS diagnosis. MRIs use radio waves and magnetic fields to measure the relative amount of liquid in the body’s tissues. We are able to detect normal and abnormal tissues and identify abnormalities.

MRIs provide detailed and sensitive brain and spinal cord images. These are far less invasive than X-rays and CT scans, both of which use radiation.

Understanding Lumbar Puncture Tests

Therefore Lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap, is sometimes used in the treatment of MS. Because a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) will be collected for examination. So the punctures of the lumbar are considered invasive. However in the lower back, between the vertebrae, and in the spinal canal, a needle is inserted during the operation. So the CSF specimen will be obtained for analysis by this hollow instrument.

So usually a spinal tap takes about 30 minutes and a local anesthetic is given to you. Because, the patient is told to rest with their spine bent to their side. After the area has been cleaned and a local anesthetic has been given, the hollow needle will be injected into the spinal canal by a doctor to remove one to two CSF tablespoons. There’s usually no special preparation. You may be asked to stop taking thinners from the blood.

Understanding Evoked Potential Tests

Evoked potential (EP) tests measure the brain’s electrical activity in response to stimuli such as sound, touch, or vision. That type of stimulus evokes minute electrical signals that can be analyzed to track activity in certain areas of the brain by the electrodes mounted on the scalp. Three forms of EP tests are valid. The most widely used for diagnosing MS is the visual evoked response (VER or VEP).

However we will check for abnormal communication that is present along the optic nerve pathways if doctors order an EP examination. Because in most MS cases, this usually happens fairly early. However, other eye or retinal disorders must be excluded before concluding that abnormal VERs are due to MS.

However there is no need for training to take an EP exam. Sp you will sit in front of a screen during the test, which has an alternating pattern of checkerboard on it. Because one eye at a time you may be asked to cover. Therefore active concentration is required, but it is safe and non-invasive. BecaIf you are wearing glasses, ask your doctor if you should bring them in advance.

Understanding Other Under Development Tests

However medical knowledge is progressing at all times. Because as technology moves forward and our knowledge of MS, doctors may find new tests to make the process of MS diagnosis easier.

However a blood test is currently being developed to detect biomarkers associated with MS. So this test may not be able to diagnose MS on its own, it may help doctors assess risk factors and make diagnosis a little easier.

Giving’s

Therefore MS diagnosis can be frustrating and time consuming at the moment. So nevertheless, symptoms that are accompanied by MRIs or other test findings combined with removing other possible causes that help to clarify the diagnosis.

However when you have MS-like symptoms, make a doctor appointment. So the sooner you are treated, the early care can be received, which can help relieve symptoms of distress.