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MICHIGAN NEUROSCIENCE
St. Joseph Mercy Oakland leads the way as Michigan's first certified primary stroke center and home of the Michigan Stroke Network, the most advanced stroke response program in the nation. From top level neuroscience doctors to breakthrough treatments in brain injury care, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland caters to Michigan's neuroscience needs.
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CLICK HERE FOR A FREE COPY
OF THE MEDICAL REPORT
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THE FACTS ABOUT Multiple Sclerosis Causes Mobility Dysfunction
Background
Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is a neurological disorder that affects
the brain and spinal cord. A progressive condition, it causes
inflammation and damage to the protective material that surrounds
nerve cells. As it worsens, the disease causes impaired nerve
signaling which affects movement, sensation, and thinking.
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Podcast Posted: 10/06/2008
Duration:
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“Symptoms of MS vary from person to person, but usually include
visual disturbances, difficulty walking or performing tasks that
require coordination, loss of sensation, fatigue and loss of bowel
or bladder control,” says Lee Marshall, DO, SJMO neurologist.
“Due to a broad range of symptoms, MS may not be diagnosed
for months to years after symptoms first occur.”
To make a diagnosis, neurologists collect detailed histories and
perform complete physical and neurological examinations,
including:
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans to help identify
lesions in the brain and or spinal cord
• An electro-physiological test to examine the frequency of
impulses traveling through the nerves
• Examination of cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain
and spinal cord to identify abnormal chemicals or cells
More than 400,000 Americans suffer from Multiple Sclerosis.
More common in women than in men, the disease most commonly
affects adults between 20 and 50 years of age.
A healthy lifestyle is encouraged for individuals suffering with MS.
It is important to avoid fatigue, stress, and temperature extremes
to reduce factors that may trigger an attack.
There is no cure for Multiple Sclerosis, however, there are
treatments that may slow the progression and provide relief for
symptoms. Drug therapies that target the body’s immune system
may decrease the frequency, intensity, and duration of incidents.
Additional medications may be prescribed for other symptoms,
such as pain or depression. Since MS may make it difficult for
individuals to perform activities of daily living, treatment may also
include physical and occupational therapy.
Please contact the SJMO physician referral line at 800.372.6094 to
find an SJMO neurologist near you.
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