When to See Multiple Sclerosis Doctors
Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a chronic disease that can affect your brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves in your eyes. This disease occurs when there is damage to the myelin sheath, which is a protective layer that surrounds nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
If you are experiencing symptoms of multiple sclerosis, it is crucial to make an appointment with a multiple sclerosis doctor. Neurologists are multiple sclerosis doctors who are specialized in treating MS.
MS Early Signs of Disease Onset
There are some common early signs and symptoms of MS that you can look out for to determine if it is time to see a neurology doctor. Here are some examples of early warning signs that you could have MS:
- Painful vision loss in one eye: Vision problems can have a variety of causes. However, if you experience vision loss or blurring in one eye that persists for more than a few days, it is important to see a doctor for evaluation. This is especially true if the symptoms are sudden or severe, as they could signify a more serious condition. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent or minimize any potential vision loss.
- Facial paralysis: Facial paralysis or facial palsy is a condition in which one side of the face becomes temporarily paralyzed or appears to droop. This condition requires medical attention.
- Ongoing limb weakness or numbness: It is not uncommon for someone to occasionally experience limb numbness or weakness. However, if it happens for more than two days in a row, you should call your doctor.
- Severe, persistent dizziness: In people with multiple sclerosis (MS), dizziness is typically more severe and persistent, lasting for at least two days.
Most Common MS Risk Factors
It is also helpful to be aware of MS risk factors that can make it more likely that you could have MS. These risk factors include:
- Age: Individuals of all ages can experience MS, but onset usually occurs in those between the age ranges of 20 and 40.
- Sex: Women are more than two to three times as likely as men are to have relapsing-remitting MS.
- Family history: If one of your parents or siblings has had MS, you are at higher risk of developing the disease.
- Certain infections: Several viruses have been linked to MS, including Epstein-Barr, the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis.
- Race: White people, particularly those of Northern European descent, are at the highest risk of developing MS. Conversely, people of Asian, African, or Native American descent have the lowest chance.
- Climate: MS is much more common in countries with temperate climates, such as Canada, the northern United States, New Zealand, southeastern Australia, and Europe.
- Vitamin D: Having decreased vitamin D levels and lower exposure to sunlight is associated with an increased risk of MS.
- Certain autoimmune diseases: You have a greater of developing MS if you have other autoimmune disorders such as thyroid disease, pernicious anemia, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, or inflammatory bowel disease.
- Smoking: Smokers who experience an initial event of symptoms that may signal MS are more likely than nonsmokers to develop a second event that confirms relapsing-remitting MS.
TIND Multiple Sclerosis Doctors
Early diagnosis and treatment of MS can help prevent or delay the progression of the disease and can help improve your overall quality of life. If you are concerned that you or a loved one may have MS, the TIND team can help.
Texas Institute for Neurological Disorders (TIND) has many neurology doctors specialized in diagnosing and treating MS disease. We have National MS Society-designated MS clinics throughout DFW and surrounding areas. In particular, we have clinic locations in Dallas, Richardson, Frisco, Plano, Keller, Arlington, Grapevine, McKinney, Sherman, Denison, and even Durant, OK. Our doctors are some of the most highly rated, and we have patients who travel from out of state to get treatment from our highly specialized team of MS neurologists. To book an appointment with us, contact our team today!