How is multiple sclerosis diagnosed?

Diagnosis relies on medical history, neurological examination, evoked potentials, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and magnetic resonance imaging to detect demyelinating lesions; no single test is definitive.

What are the symptoms of multiple sclerosis?

Symptoms vary by affected areas and disease stage; common signs include fatigue, visual disturbances, motor and balance problems, spasticity, sensory changes, speech issues, bladder or bowel dysfunction, and sexual difficulties.

Is there a cure or treatment for multiple sclerosis?

There is no cure, but disease-modifying drugs can slow progression and multidisciplinary therapies—physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and neuropsychological support—help manage symptoms and improve function.

Is multiple sclerosis contagious or hereditary?

MS is neither contagious nor directly hereditary; its exact cause is unknown, with genetic and environmental factors potentially affecting risk but not guaranteeing transmission.

Multiple Sclerosis: who it affects, how it is diagnosed, and what its symptoms are

Q: What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system in which the immune system attacks myelin, disrupting nerve communication and causing varied neurological symptoms.

Q: Who does multiple sclerosis affect?

MS most often affects young adults, typically diagnosed between ages 20 and 40, is more common in women, and is a leading cause of acquired neurological disability in young people.

In this article we explain what Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is, who it affects, how it is diagnosed and what its symptoms are.

Its cause is unknown, and there is no cure. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, neurodegenerative and autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) of 2,500,000 people worldwide. On the occasion of World Multiple Sclerosis Day, which is celebrated on May 31, we give voice to this disease.

What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system that affects the brain and spinal cord. The immune system attacks the myelin (the material that surrounds and protects nerve cells), which causes poor communication between neurons and leads to various MS symptoms that we will describe below.

Who does multiple sclerosis affect?

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of young adults since it is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. It is the leading cause of acquired neurological disability and the second leading cause of disability in young people, after traffic accidents. It is also a disease that affects women more than men.

How is it diagnosed?

Multiple sclerosis is not contagious, nor hereditary, and cannot be prevented. Early diagnosis is ideal.
The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is made through:

Medical history.
Neurological examination.
Evoked potentials.
Cerebrospinal fluid study results.
Demyelinating lesions that can be identified through magnetic resonance imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the main tests to diagnose multiple sclerosis. It is a non-invasive technique that captures very detailed images of the brain and spinal cord.

Thanks to magnetic resonance imaging, the lesions produced by the immune system’s attack on myelin can be seen in the brain. It should also be noted that this test cannot be considered conclusive because not all lesions can be detected by the scanner and because other diseases may produce identical abnormalities.

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What are its symptoms?

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis will depend on the areas affected and will vary from one person to another. Symptoms also vary in the same person depending on the stage of the disease.

The most frequent symptoms are:

Fatigue
Visual disturbances: blurred vision, double vision, optic neuritis, rapid and involuntary eye movements…
Motor, balance and coordination problems: mobility problems, loss of balance, tremors, ataxia, vertigo and dizziness, clumsiness in one limb, lack of coordination, weakness in the legs
Spasticity: involuntary contractions and stiffness.
Sensory disturbances: tingling, numbness (paresthesia), burning sensations in body areas, muscle pain, heat sensitivity…
Speech disorders: slow speech, slurred words, changes in speech rhythm.
Bladder and bowel problems: frequent and/or urgent urination, constipation…
Sexuality and intimacy problems: impotence, reduced arousal, loss of sensation.

Treatment

Currently there is no treatment that cures multiple sclerosis, but there are drugs that slow the progression of the disease and improve its symptoms.

These drugs should be combined with physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy sessions. Likewise, the role of the neuropsychologist is essential to address the cognitive disorders that arise.