Can MS be difficult to diagnose?
MS can be among the most difficult of all diseases to diagnose because of the bewildering number of symptoms it causes and the multiple ways in which they can present.
Why is it so hard to get diagnosed with MS?
MS can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be easy to ignore or put down to another condition, and because there’s no single test that can diagnose it.
What can be mistaken for multiple sclerosis?
Here are some of the conditions that are sometimes mistaken for multiple sclerosis:
- Lyme Disease.
- Migraine.
- Radiologically Isolated Syndrome.
- Spondylopathies.
- Neuropathy.
- Conversion and Psychogenic Disorders.
- Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD)
- Lupus.
Why does MS take so long to diagnose?
Due to its complexity and variety of symptoms, MS is not easy to diagnose. Even when the process runs smoothly, it can take a long time to get to the bottom of what’s causing a complex condition. Different possible causes need to be checked out before a diagnosis is made.
Can you have MS without brain lesions?
About 5 percent of people who are confirmed to have MS do not initially have brain lesions evidenced by MRI. However, the longer a person goes without brain or spinal cord lesions on MRI, the more important it becomes to look for other possible diagnoses.
Why is multiple sclerosis (MS) difficult to diagnose?
MS can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be easy to ignore or put down to another condition, and because there’s no single test that can diagnose it. What is multiple sclerosis?
Can other conditions mimic multiple sclerosis (MS)?
As many as 10 percent of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis actually have some other condition that mimics MS. Examples of other conditions that masquerade as MS include inflammation in the blood vessels, multiple strokes, vitamin deficiency, and brain infection. Sometimes stress-related disorders can lead to a misdiagnosis of MS.
What are the signs and symptoms of MS?
It’s characterised by damaged areas (lesions) on the brain and spinal cord. MS causes, among other things, muscle spasms, problems with thinking and learning, and mobility problems. Why is MS often difficult to diagnose?
What tests are used to diagnose multiple sclerosis?
Neurological exam. Neurological exam. A complete neurological exam and medical history are needed to diagnose MS. There are no specific tests for MS. Instead, a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis often relies on ruling out other conditions that might produce similar signs and symptoms, known as a differential diagnosis.
