多个 硬化

迹象 & 症状

The 症状 of multiple sclerosis depend on which particular pathway of nerve fiber is damaged. 刺痛, 麻木, sensations of tightness or weakness may result when myelin in the spinal cord is damaged. If nerve fibers to the bladder are affected, urinary incontinence may occur. 同样的, damage to the cerebellum portion of the brain may result in im平衡 or a lack of coordination. MS patients can have a wide range of 症状, depending on where the damage occurs in the central nervous system.

Because MS can cause a wide variety of 症状 in different people, doctors often struggle to diagnose the disease. 然而, common 症状 of MS include changes in sensation or sensory 症状 such as tingling and 麻木, and changes in muscle function or motor 症状 such as difficulty walking, 僵硬或震颤.

Some common 症状 are:

• 笨拙或软弱
• Difficulty walking or maintaining 平衡
• 头晕或眩晕
• Eye problems such as double vision or uncontrolled eye movements
• 乏力
• 肌肉痉挛
• Problems with bladder or bowel control
• 刚度
• 震动
• 刺痛或麻木
• Depression or emotional changes
• Mild intellectual change such as memory problems
• Sexual problems such as difficulty reaching orgasm, lack of vaginal sensation or erectile dysfunction

Symptoms usually appear in people between 20 and 40 years of age.

诊断

When considering a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, your doctor will be particularly interested in hearing about your 症状, when they started and how they've eased or progressed over time.

Your diagnosis also will be based on a physical examination and tests. These tests may include:

• Blood and urine tests to help rule out other possible disorders
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to measure electrical activity in the heart
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look for abnormalities in the brain
• 腰椎穿刺 or spinal tap to determine if there are abnormalities in the cerebrospinal fluid, 这是多发性硬化症的征兆之一
• Evoked potentials test, which records electrical activity in the brain when nerves are stimulated

Medical conditions that can mimic MS include metabolic or vitamin deficiencies, 不寻常的感染, inflammation of the blood vessels of the brain, degenerative disorders of the nervous system or cancers that have spread to the brain. This is why blood tests, x射线, 脑部和脊柱核磁共振成像, and spinal taps to analyze cerebrospinal fluid may be required before a diagnosis of MS can be made with certainty.

A diagnosis of MS is based upon an evaluation of your 症状 along with the results of your physical exam and tests.

治疗

Your neurology team at UCSF Medical Center, along with your primary care physician, will design a treatment plan tailored to your medical condition, state of health and individual needs. You may need more than one kind of treatment, or a treatment requiring several visits to the 多个 硬化 Center. Also, you may be referred to other doctors or health professionals.

十大赌博平台排行榜 and researchers have identified four categories of treatment for patients with MS:

• Treatment that reduces the severity and duration of attacks
• Treatment to cure or eliminate the biological activity of MS in the body
• Treatment to relieve various 症状 such as incontinence, visual disturbances or 乏力
• Treatment that repairs damage caused by MS

治疗 may involve some risks or complications, which will be fully explained to you by your neurologist.

治疗 may include one of many medications such as:

• β干扰素 A family of drugs that help fight viral infection and regulate your immune system
• Glatiramer醋酸 A drug that doctors believe works by blocking your immune system's attack on myelin
• Immunosuppressive drugs Drugs to suppress or control the immune system

Other medications may be prescribed to treat or control 症状 such as depression, 乏力, 疼痛, spasticity and tremors. Treatment programs and services may include exercise and physical therapy, occupational therapy to help maintain your independence in daily living, 减少压力.

许多新疗法, such as the use of statins or cholesterol-lowering drugs, are being developed and tested. 病人 who are evaluated at the 多个 硬化 Center have the opportunity to participate in these studies of new treatments.