Multiple sclerosis can appear at any age, but most patients are first diagnosed between the ages of , often after noticing symptoms like blurry vision, painful eye movement, or sensory problems, such as tingling. Nnamdi Dike, DO, at Affinity Neurocare offers comprehensive treatment for multiple sclerosis, providing ongoing medical support to help stop the disease from progressing.
To schedule an appointment, call the office in Frisco, Texas, or schedule an appointment online. Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects nerves in your brain and spinal cord.
It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath, which is a protective fatty tissue that covers nerves. Your nerves need the myelin sheath to transmit electrical signals. When the myelin sheath is damaged, nerve communication is disrupted between your brain and the rest of your body. Over time, the nerve damage caused by multiple sclerosis becomes permanent. In this type of MS, patients go through periods when they experience symptoms, followed by periods when they go into remission.
In this form, you no longer have periods of remission and your symptoms continue to worsen. The specific symptoms you develop depend on the nerves affected by MS. However, the earliest symptoms for most patients begin in their eyes, with problems such as:. You may also experience an unsteady gait, slurred speech, or problems with sexual function. After performing a comprehensive neurological exam, Dr. Dike may order a variety of tests to rule out other possible conditions.
For example, he may want to see the results of a brain MRI or evoked potential tests that show how well electrical signals travel through your nerves. Your treatment focuses on helping you recover from acute attacks, slowing disease progression, and managing your MS symptoms.
