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Show more related content. Your doctor or specialist may need to conduct multiple tests to rule out other possible causes for your symptoms. But if you suspect you may have MS or another neurological condition, reach out to your doctor right away. Even early-stage MS can result in lasting neurological damage. Confirming or ruling out MS can help you start treatment as soon as possible. To diagnose MS, a doctor must find:.
MS can cause a variety of symptoms. Some common symptoms include:. But in some people, symptoms may develop at a younger or older age. In some childhood cases of MS , the condition may masquerade as other childhood diseases. This can make diagnosis more complicated. Young children may also have trouble verbalizing certain symptoms. Late-onset MS occurs when the initial symptoms of MS develop after age It may take more time for your doctor to diagnose the cause of your symptoms if you develop them later in life.
The first step in diagnosing MS is taking a thorough medical history. They may also ask you about:. Your doctor may also ask you about your diet, exercise routine, bathroom habits, and sexual health. They may also evaluate potential environmental factors, such as your exposure to toxins or travel to high-risk areas. Your doctor may conduct or order a neurological exam to assess how your nervous system is working. They may:. They may also evaluate how the 12 cranial nerves of your brain are working.
These nerves affect your ability to see, chew, swallow, and smell, among other things. Based on your medical history and neurological exam, your doctor may give you a tentative diagnosis of MS. They may also order additional tests. They can use an MRI to check for lesions or scarring. This test allows them to distinguish between old and recently formed lesions. Find healthcare providers and community resources to help you live your best life with MS.
There are many possible causes of neurological symptoms. When MS is considered as a potential diagnosis, other causes must be excluded — through the tools and tests outlined below — before an MS diagnosis is considered definitive.
While this process of exclusion may be quick for some, it can also take much longer , with repeat testing sometimes needed. Making the diagnosis of MS as quickly and accurately as possible is important for several reasons: You are living with frightening and uncomfortable symptoms and need to know the reason for your discomfort. Getting the diagnosis allows you to begin the adjustment process and relieves worries about other diseases such as cancer.
Since we now know that permanent neurologic damage can occur even in the earliest stages of MS, it is important to confirm the diagnosis so that you can start the appropriate treatment s as early in the disease process as possible. In order to make a diagnosis of MS, the physician must: Find evidence of damage in at least two separate areas of the central nervous system CNS , which includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves AND Find evidence that the damage occurred at different points in time AND Rule out all other possible diagnoses The Revised McDonald Criteria, published In by the International Panel on the Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, include specific guidelines for using MRI and cerebrospinal fluid analysis to speed the diagnostic process.
Medical history and neurologic exam Your healthcare provider: Takes a careful history to identify any past or present symptoms that might be caused by MS. Gathers information about birthplace, family history, environmental exposures, history of other illnesses and places traveled that might provide further clues.
Performs a comprehensive neurologic exam, which includes tests of cranial nerves vision, hearing, facial sensation, strength, swallowing , sensation, reflexes, coordination, walking and balance. All partners, whether they are a neurologist or social worker, have a strong relationship with the Society and connect their patients to the information, resources and support they need to live their best lives with MS.
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