Multiple Sclerosis Testing and Diagnosis

How Is Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosed?

Right now, there are no specific tests for diagnosing multiple sclerosis. In order to diagnose multiple sclerosis, doctors use a differential diagnosis. This method of diagnosis relies on ruling out conditions with signs and symptoms similar to multiple sclerosis.

Diagnosing multiple sclerosis quickly and accurately is important as permanent neurologic damage can occur in the early stages of multiple sclerosis. Early diagnosis also gives patients more time to adjust to their diagnosis.

In addition to an exam and looking at your medical history, your doctor may perform the following tests for multiple sclerosis:

Blood Tests

Blood tests can help rule out diseases that have similar symptoms to multiple sclerosis.

Spinal Tap

Also known as a lumbar puncture, aspinal tapallows for a small sample of fluid to be removed from your spinal canal. Spinal fluid tests can show abnormalities in antibodies that are associated with multiple sclerosis.

MRI

AnMRIcan show lesions on your brain and spinal cord that indicate multiple sclerosis is present.

What Can I Expect During the Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis Testing?

你的医生会give you more insight on how to prepare and what to expect during a multiple sclerosis diagnosis test.

Blood tests are a very simple procedure that will cause minimal to no pain. Patients may feel a small sting when the needle is inserted or removed. Blood tests only usually last a few minutes.

在脊柱水龙头期间，患者的背部用杀菌性肥皂或碘洗涤。将局部麻醉注入患者的下背部，使插入针头的区域麻木。然后将一根细针插入两个下部椎骨之间，并插入脊柱管中。在手术的这一部分期间，患者可能会感到背部压力，并且一旦针头就位，可能会要求稍微改变位置。提取必要的液体后，切除针头，并用绷带覆盖穿刺位点。脊柱水龙头可以持续约45分钟。

During an MRI, the patient will be asked to lie down on a bed and remain still. The MRI machine will move in order to get the clearest images. MRIs are painless, but people with claustrophobia may feel uncomfortable or anxious during the scan. An MRI can last anywhere between 30 minutes to two hours.

What Are the Stages of Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a different experience for everyone with the disease. It is broken down into the following three stages:

Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

大多数多发性硬化症患者的复发性多发性硬化症。患有这种多发性硬化症的人通常在20多岁的初期开始表现出症状。症状的攻击将不时恢复，然后恢复持续数周，几个月或几年。

Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

People with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis will eventually move on to the secondary progressive phase of multiple sclerosis. In most people, the change to this type of multiple sclerosis happens between ten to 20 years after being diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Secondary progressive is difficult to treat and can be hard to handle for patients. Symptoms worsen at different rates for everyone. While treatments for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis work well, patients may experience trouble using their body like they used to.

Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

In primary progressive multiple sclerosis, the disease gets worse over time. At this stage, there are no well-defined attacks and there are little to no remissions. Primary progressive does not respond well to treatments.

Banner’s compassionate and expert staff is here to help you through every step of your multiple sclerosis diagnosis journey. Reach out to us with questions during any stage and to discuss MS testing and symptoms.