Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic condition that involves the central nervous system, particularly the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. The situation is rarely fatal, but the level of complications it brings vary depending on its severity level.
Its effects also differ from person to person. Some experience difficulty in walking, while others lose their capacity to walk. Some experience vision problems, such as blurred, double vision, color contrast, pain in the eye, and even vision loss.
The worst thing about multiple sclerosis is that there is no identified cause or cure yet for it. Here are some of the few things that science currently knows about the condition:
- Status: According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, there are more than 2.3 million people diagnosed with MS, with over one million people in the US alone dealing with this condition every day. The disease is observed more in women aged 20 to 40 and living in the northern regions, such as the US, Canada, and Scandinavian countries. It is also more commonly found in Caucasians compared to other racial descent.
- Potential Causes: Since there is no concrete evidence yet, there is no definite proof of why and how it occurs, but some studies argue that genetics play an essential role in developing this condition. People who have first-degree relatives suffering from MS are more likely to develop the disease than others. Some also associate cigarette smoking and other environmental factors for acquiring this condition. Symptoms are even more prevalent when the body’s immune system destroys the protective myelin sheath surrounding the nerve cells.
- Possible Effects: Apart from the previously mentioned effects, half of the people with multiple sclerosis are expected to experience a degree of mental or cognitive impairment, while the other half would not share any. They would also experience acute or chronic pain, tremor, or speech disorder.
Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis and Treatment
One of the three ways a doctor would diagnose an MS is through an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan. In this process, the technician would scan your brain and spinal cord to determine any active and inactive lesions.
The process uses intravenous contrast agents to distinguish which among the lesions are active and inactive. If your scanned spinal cord shows bright areas, then those are the spinal cord lesions. The acute and active lesions would look as if they’re swelling.
Diagnosis is a crucial part of any treatment and healing. Although there is no delegated cure yet for MS, early diagnosis can help patients manage their condition better. Furthermore, it brings awareness to all people affected.
MRI plays a vital role in diagnosing people with MS. Among the studied MRI findings, 75 to 85 percent provided diagnosis accuracy for spinal cord abnormalities, while brain scans showed 95 percent diagnosis accuracy, thanks to its advanced technology.
Conclusion
Diagnosis is the beginning of understanding any disease that would eventually lead to discovering a solution. The more advanced the technology becomes, then the more the research would progress. Thanks to an MRI, understanding and identifying the condition helps the doctors and researchers move forward with their multiple sclerosis study.
At Direct Med Parts, we support science and technology in studying health conditions and developing health solutions. If you need MRI parts, MRI coil repairs, or other MRI concerns, contact us at (858) 251-8752. We do not only supply machines and their parts, but we also offer services, including electronic, cosmetic, and mechanical repairs finished in 24 to 48 hours.
