The persistence or recurrence of these symptoms - which may last up to a few weeks - is a probable sign of MS.Īs in adults, child patients may also experience a wide range of symptoms in addition to ADEM, including tingling, numbness, muscle weakness, clumsiness, bowel and bladder problems, mobility issues, and tremors. Diagnosis prior to the age of 18 often follows a cluster of severe symptoms relating to the nervous system malfunctioning, including seizures, coma, headache, and fever -known as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). Symptoms experienced in children with MS are similar to those in adult patients. Although multiple sclerosis tends to progress slowly in child patients, treatment does not always work to prevent recurrent relapses and can leave younger patients disabled at an earlier age than those diagnosed as adults. No cure currently exists however, several treatment strategies aimed at minimizing symptoms and slowing the progress of the disease. Given that MS is relatively uncommon among children, along with the fact that younger patients often have trouble describing neurological symptoms, MS in early life is particularly hard to diagnose. Children with MS often require special treatment due to their young age. Although the majority of cases occur between the ages of 20 to 50, roughly 10,000 of those diagnosed in the U.S. MS involves the gradual destruction of myelin in the brain and spinal cord, which is a fatty white substance responsible for protecting nerve cells and relaying messages between cells throughout the body. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that leads to the deterioration of the central nervous system and affects over 400,000 people in the United States. Honest and open communication between a patient, their family, doctor, and MS specialists is crucial for the effectiveness of any multiple sclerosis treatments.

Close family members should be informed about the specifics of a patient’s treatment strategy, including dosage scheduling and methods of administering, as well as possible side-effects. Patients will need to be made aware of potential side-effects incurred by taking the medication, as well make their doctor aware if, and how, they appear.

The consumption of MS medication must be done with careful consideration for its safety guidelines, which should be discussed thoroughly between a patient and their doctor. Patients who consider certain treatment methods to be too inconvenient or invasive will need to collaborate with their doctor and MS specialists to coordinate an alternative plan of action. High-maintenance MS injection therapies or infusion treatments may result in the interruption of normal day-to-day activities. Forgetting to take medication, or taking it improperly, greatly increases the chances of it working ineffectively to slow the progression of the disease.Ĭertain treatments can significantly impact the way patients live their lives. Patients with strict guidelines as to how they take their medications may be wise to adopt scheduled routines and use additional reminder systems, such as cell phone alarms or family supervision. with meals, at certain times of time day). For instance, if medication is prescribed, it is imperative that it be taken correctly (i.e. Patients also have a responsibility to follow the recommendations of their doctors, as most treatments will ultimately prove ineffective if the patient is uncooperative. Another factor is the consideration of whether a particular treatment will decrease the frequency of relapses, as well as prevent fresh lesions from appearing in the body (detected through MRI tests). They need to evaluate which treatments will most effectively slow down the progressive mentally and physically debilitating effects of the disease. In determining the right course of action, doctors need to consider the patient’s age, overall health, and the type of MS with which they have been diagnosed.

The ultimate goal is to postpone disability, such as paralysis and loss of vision, which are unfortunate inevitabilities in the late stages of the disease. The earlier MS is treated, the better the chances of slowing down its progress and minimizing its symptoms. Although there is no cure, treating multiple sclerosis is possible. Once diagnosed with MS, patients need to work closely with doctors and specialists to determine the most effective treatment strategy for their specific case. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that leads to the deterioration of the central nervous system.

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