Don’t Mistake Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms for Normal Signs of Aging

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic condition affecting the central nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. In MS, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the nerve cells and their protective myelin sheath, leading to scarring. This scarring disrupts communication between the brain and the body, causing a wide range of symptoms and disabilities, including mobility and vision impairment. MS occurs more often in women, and usually strikes people under age 50. But it does not discriminate; women over 50 are not immune.

A major misconception about MS is that it inevitably leads to severe disability; while it can be debilitating for some, the course of the disease varies widely. The exact cause of MS remains unclear; however, it is believed to involve a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors such as smoking, stress, and vitamin D deficiency. “Certain viral infections and toxins released by gut microbiome may also act as a trigger,” says Jai Perumal, MD, neurologist and associate professor of clinical neurology, Weill Cornell Multiple Sclerosis Center.

Is It MS or Aging?

When MS symptoms first appear after age 50, it is referred to as late-onset MS. Diagnosing MS in older adults can be challenging because symptoms of late-onset MS, such as fatigue, balance issues, and cognitive changes, are often mistaken for typical signs of aging. Diagnosing MS involves a combination of neurological exams, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and sometimes lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to analyze cerebrospinal fluid. MRI scans are particularly useful in detecting lesions or damaged areas in the brain and spinal cord, which are the hallmarks of MS.

There are three forms of MS: relapsing-remitting MS, secondary progressive MS, and primary progressive MS (PPMS), which is the type that is most often associated with late-onset MS. PPMS is marked by a steady decline in function due to irreversible nerve damage. Symptoms often start with walking difficulties, like stiffness or dragging of the feet. “The onset of gait symptoms in PPMS is often ignored by patients and providers, as they may be assumed to be due to fatigue, arthritis, or even sciatica, leading to inappropriate and/ or lack of testing, causing a delay in diagnosis,” says Dr. Perumal. “Cognition can also be affected and this may be attributed to aging or stress, among other things. This can coincide with menopause, which can also cause many of these symptoms.”

MS symptoms mimic and overlap with many other conditions. Some common symptoms include:

• Vision problems: Blurred or double vision, optic neuritis, which can cause pain when moving the eyes.
• Muscle weakness: Often in the hands and legs, and can be accompanied by muscle stiffness and painful spasms.
• Numbness and tingling: Also known as paresthesia, this can feel like an abnormal feeling in the arms, legs, trunk, or face.
• Mobility problems: Difficulty walking or standing, or partial or complete paralysis.
• Bladder and bowel problems: Difficulty controlling when you need to use the toilet, waking up more at night to urinate, or constipation.
• Cognitive changes: Slowed processing, difficulty finding words, loss of short-term memory, and multitasking problems.
• Other symptoms: Fatigue, tremor, speech and swallowing difficulties, pain, hearing loss, and depression.

Disease-Modifying Therapy

Medications known as disease-modifying therapies (DMT) are used to slow disease progression by targeting the immune system. One of the newer DMT medications that has been shown to reduce disability, Ocrevus (Ocrelizumab), is the only DMT approved by the FDA for PPMS treatment. “Clinicians and researchers are continuing to work on delineating the specific mechanisms behind injury in PPMS, and hopefully this will lead to even better therapeutic options,” says Dr. Perumal.

Medication options for late-onset MS are limited; however, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation can help manage symptoms. These therapy initiatives can improve quality of life for people dealing with a late-in-life disease diagnosis, as well as for those who have been navigating the challenges of multiple sclerosis throughout their adulthood.

“It is also critical to keep in mind that a heathy lifestyle, including a heathy diet, regular exercise, and stress management—with activities such as meditation, yoga, and tai chi—can have a huge impact on managing the physical, cognitive, and emotional components of the disease, as well as the quality of life in people with MS,” says Dr. Perumal.

If you have symptoms that you suspect might be the result of multiple sclerosis, see your primary care doctor or a neurologist as soon as possible. Maintaining open communication with your health-care providers and staying informed about the latest treatments available can help correctly identify your disease earlier and allow you to manage it more effectively

The post Don’t Mistake Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms for Normal Signs of Aging appeared first on University Health News.

Read Original Article: Don’t Mistake Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms for Normal Signs of Aging »