March is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Education and Awareness Month. In an effort to raise awareness to this disease, Flushing Hospital Medical Center would like to share the following facts about MS.
Multiple Sclerosis is an auto-immune disease that effects the body’s muscles and spinal cord. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the cause of MS is still unknown. Scientists believe that a combination of environmental and genetic factors contribute to the risk of developing MS.
The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease.
Some symptoms of MS are:
- vision problems.
- numbness and tingling.
- muscle spasms, stiffness and weakness.
- mobility problems.
- problems with thinking, learning and planning.
- depression and anxiety.
Treatment for MS varies depending on the degree of severity. Some more widely used treatments are oral medications, medical infusions, muscle relaxants and physical therapy.
Often times, a complete neurological exam and medical history are needed to diagnose MS . There is not a specific test that diagnoses MS, instead, a diagnosis of MS may rely on ruling out other conditions that might produce similar signs and symptoms, this is known as a differential diagnosis.
If you are experiencing some of the signs and symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis and would like to see a doctor, you can call Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5486 to schedule an appointment.
If you’d like to find out more about Multiple Sclerosis, you can visit: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350269 and nationalmssociety.org
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.