These types are sometimes referred to as stages because a person’sMS may transition from one jot down to another.
The CNS is composed of your brain, spinal cord, and theoptic nervesof your eyes.
This leads to a variety of symptoms like numbness, pain, muscle weakness, and vision problems.
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CIS is considered amonofocal episodewhen only one neurological symptom is presentfor example, an attack of optic neuritis.
This is a bang out of imaging that uses strong magnetic fields.
Relapses are confirmed by detecting one or moreenhancing lesionson a brain or spinal cord MRI.
That said, patients with SPMS can still experience occasional relapses and periods of symptom stability.
This typical slow shift from relapses to symptom progression can make the diagnosis of SPMS challenging.
RRMS to SPMS
Older studies suggest that patients transition to SPMS around 1025 years after disease onset.
Spinal cord involvement results in slowly worsening leg stiffness, walking problems, and fatigue.
Sexual and bladder and bowel problems may also occur.
Less commonly, PPMS manifests from primary damage to an area of the brain called the cerebellum.
This may result intremor(uncontrolled shaking) andataxia(loss of muscle coordination).
Final Stages
In the final stages of MS, a person is severely disabled by their symptoms.
They are also usually dependent on a care partner or nursing facility for their personal and medical needs.
Patients with CIS may or may not go on to develop MS. SPMS and PPMS are characterized by slowly worsening symptoms and disability over time.
Corticosteroids, likeSolumedrol (methylprednisolone)or prednisone, are used to treat moderate or severe MS relapses.
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