Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most prevalent disabling neurological condition in young adults, though it also affects children and older people. At the Neurological Institute of Los Angeles, the expert team of neurologists offer innovative treatments for adults with MS. If you or a loved one has MS, call one of the offices located in Beverly Grove and throughout Los Angeles, and Glendale, California, or schedule an appointment online today.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. When you have MS, your immune system attacks the protective covering of your nerve fibers, called the myelin sheath. This causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body.
Most people with MS experience a relapse-remitting course of the disease. A relapse is a period of new symptoms for several days or weeks. Periods of disease remission, which involve little to no symptoms, usually follow relapses. Remission can last for months or years.
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms, affecting about 80% of people with MS. This fatigue can be debilitating, preventing you from working and completing everyday tasks.
Other signs and symptoms of MS include:
Signs and symptoms of MS can vary widely from person to person. Additionally, one person may experience changes in symptom severity over the course of years, months, or even days.
First, the Neurological Institute of Los Angeles team performs a neurological exam and reviews your medical history. They may order a series of tests to determine if you have MS, such as:
To diagnose MS, they need to find evidence of damage to the myelin sheath that occurs in more than one part of your central nervous system.
There’s no cure for MS, but the team at the Neurological Institute of Los Angeles offers treatments that may slow the progression of the disease and provide relief from symptoms.
Depending on your needs, treatment for MS may include a variety of medications, such as:
Your neurologist may also recommend deep brain stimulation to treat tremors.
For high-quality care of multiple sclerosis, call the Neurological Institute of Los Angeles, or book an appointment online today.