Multiple Sclerosis

What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disorder that develops when your immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord nerves as though they’re harmful pathogens, like bacteria and viruses. This results in myelin sheath damage.   

The myelin sheath is a protective membrane surrounding every nerve. If it breaks down, the nerves can’t transmit the electrical signals they use to communicate, so you lose function in various bodily systems.

What problems does multiple sclerosis cause?

Difficulty walking and vision problems are often the first signs of multiple sclerosis. However, numerous other issues could develop depending on which nerves suffer damage and how severely. Problems you may experience include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Weakness
• Double or blurred vision
• Arm and leg muscle weakness (often on one side)
• Walking unsteadily
• Loss of coordination
• Memory problems
• Muscle stiffness and spasms
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Dizziness
• Tremors (shaking)
• Difficulty speaking
• Trouble concentrating or thinking clearly
• Bowel, bladder, or sexual dysfunction

Your symptoms can vary depending on which type of multiple sclerosis you have.

What are the different kinds of multiple sclerosis?

The most common multiple sclerosis form is relapsing-remitting MS. It causes a cycle of active disease (when symptoms appear and may worsen), followed by remission, when you feel better.

Sometimes, relapsing-remitting MS develops into secondary progressive MS. Symptoms slowly worsen regardless of which phase you’re in, and eventually, the relapse and remission cycle will likely disappear.

The third type is primary progressive MS. You don’t experience remission with this form; the disease gets progressively worse from the beginning.

How does multiple sclerosis treatment help me?

There’s no cure for multiple sclerosis, but treatment at Las Vegas Neurology Center can slow the rate at which myelin sheath damage occurs, improve mobility, and ease your other symptoms.

Disease-modifying medications help stop the immune system attack on your nerves, reducing relapse frequency and severity. You can benefit from physical and occupational therapy to maintain function as multiple sclerosis progresses. Las Vegas Neurology Center also provides you with helpful lifestyle and nutrition guidance.

Psychological support and counseling, social work services like disability and employment guidance, and support groups can also improve your quality of life.

Call Las Vegas Neurology Center if you develop multiple sclerosis symptoms, or book an appointment online today.