It also discusses the typical age for an MS diagnosis and the risks of going undiagnosed.
Information from this detailed evaluation also helps rule out alternative diagnoses.
Get a Neurologist Referral
If you are experiencing possible MS symptoms, seeing a neurologist is essential.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
The National MS Societya prominent MS education and awareness organizationoffers an easy-to-navigatetoolfor finding neurologists near you.
What Is an MRI?
It’s the most sensitive test for detecting MS-related damage in the central nervous system.
MS lesions do not always cause symptoms.
What Are Oligoclonal Bands?
Oligoclonal bands areantibodies(proteins) released into the CSF during an MS attack.
The CSF is the fluid that bathes and protects your brain and spinal cord.
The neurologist will then clean the lower back and inject a numbing medicine.
Interestingly, forrelapsing-remitting MS(RRMS), the median age of onset is 30 years.
Forprimary progressive MS(PPMS), the median age of onset is 40 years.
Moreover, in addition to a delayed diagnosis, an MS misdiagnosis is also relatively common.
In such cases, alternative diagnoses were more likely.
Misdiagnosing someone with MS creates stress and carries a high physical and emotional burden.
Instead, neurologists use a formal set of guidelines called the McDonald Criteria to make the diagnosis.
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