Having a loved one diagnosed with late-onset multiple sclerosis can leave you feeling overwhelmed and confused. It may be difficult for you to know what to expect or how to best care for your loved one. Our blog post will cover everything you need to know about late-onset multiple sclerosis. We will talk about the symptoms, treatment options, and ways that you can help your loved one manage the disease.
It is a disease in which your immune system attacks your nerve cells as well as your brain fibers. Due to this, your brain sends electrical signals to your body that cannot be transmitted properly. As a result, your body will move and function differently. The symptoms of MS usually appear between the ages of 20 and 40. Symptoms may not appear until you are 50 or older, however. When multiple sclerosis develops later than expected, it is known as late-onset multiple sclerosis (LOMS).
In multiple sclerosis, the signs and symptoms differ greatly from person to person and throughout the disease depending on where the nerve fibers are affected. Symptoms that affect movement include:
Many vision problems can occur, including:
Multiple sclerosis symptoms may also include:
Multiple sclerosis is diagnosed by ruling out other conditions that might cause similar signs and symptoms to those described in MS, which is why there are no specific tests.
Your doctor may then recommend:
In cases of unusual symptoms or progressing disease, additional imaging and spinal fluid analysis may be required to diagnose MS.
Family relationships often improve when family members are no longer the primary caregivers for their children. By having to be constantly available and do very physical work as a caregiver, people with MS can once again maintain a more normal family relationship without having to rely on family members.
Contact us online or by phone at 772-400-9229 and by visiting us at our location 3850 20th Street Suite 7 Vero Beach, FL 32960. BrightStar Care is here to help you and your family in any way we can.
What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
It is a disease in which your immune system attacks your nerve cells as well as your brain fibers. Due to this, your brain sends electrical signals to your body that cannot be transmitted properly. As a result, your body will move and function differently. The symptoms of MS usually appear between the ages of 20 and 40. Symptoms may not appear until you are 50 or older, however. When multiple sclerosis develops later than expected, it is known as late-onset multiple sclerosis (LOMS).
What are the symptoms of MS?
In multiple sclerosis, the signs and symptoms differ greatly from person to person and throughout the disease depending on where the nerve fibers are affected. Symptoms that affect movement include:
- Weakness or numbness of the limbs, predominantly occurring on one side of the body at a time, or in your legs as well as your trunk, usually on one side
- A feeling of electric shock may occur when the neck is bent forward, especially when the head is forward. This is called the Lhermitte sign.
- Symptoms include an unsteady gait, tremors, and a lack of coordination
Many vision problems can occur, including:
- Loss of vision in one or both eyes usually occurs gradually, affecting one eye at a time, and is often accompanied by discomfort during eye movement
- Double vision that persists for a long time
- Blurry vision
Multiple sclerosis symptoms may also include:
- Slurred speech
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Tingling or pain in parts of your body
- Problems with sexual, bowel, and bladder function
How is MS diagnosed?
Multiple sclerosis is diagnosed by ruling out other conditions that might cause similar signs and symptoms to those described in MS, which is why there are no specific tests.Your doctor may then recommend:
- Blood tests, which are currently being developed to identify specific biomarkers associated with MS, may also aid in the diagnosis if they can identify other conditions with similar symptoms.
- Spinal tap (lumbar puncture), In this procedure, a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid is removed from your spinal canal for laboratory analysis. A spinal tap can also rule out infections and other conditions which have similar symptoms to MS. A spinal tap may reveal abnormal antibodies, which are known to be associated with MS.
- MRI, The results of this test may reveal areas of MS (lesions) in your brain or spinal cord. To highlight lesions that indicate your disease is in an active phase, you may receive an intravenous injection of contrast material.
- Evoked potential tests, In response to the stimuli presented to your nervous system, your nervous system produces electrical signals that are recorded by your brain. A test for evoked potentials can either be performed with visual stimuli or with electrical stimuli. These tests involve watching a moving visual pattern, or short electrical impulses are applied to nerves in your legs or arms so that they move. As the information travels through your nerve pathways, electrodes measure how fast it travels.
In cases of unusual symptoms or progressing disease, additional imaging and spinal fluid analysis may be required to diagnose MS.
What are the treatment options for MS patients?
Multiple sclerosis can be managed in some ways even though there is no cure. Treatments for late-onset multiple sclerosis include:- Medication. Several types of medications are available to treat relapsing forms of MS, but none are FDA-approved for treating primary progressive MS. Your doctor may be able to provide you with treatments that will help you manage your symptoms.
- Managing relapses. Several therapies can help manage MS flare-ups, including corticosteroids, steroid hormones, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) gel, and plasma exchange.
- Rehabilitation. You can manage MS's long-term effects on your body through rehabilitation, such as physical, occupational, and cognitive therapy. With these programs, you can improve your mobility, limit fatigue, and improve your memory. Speaking of swallowing difficulties can be helped by speech-language pathology.
The Role of Caregivers
It is very common for caregivers at home to be unable to keep up with the physical demands of MS as time goes on. When considering whether you can meet the needs of an individual at home, you must know what questions to ask.Family relationships often improve when family members are no longer the primary caregivers for their children. By having to be constantly available and do very physical work as a caregiver, people with MS can once again maintain a more normal family relationship without having to rely on family members.
Contact BrightStar Care St. Lucie Today!
BrightStar Care of Saint Lucie provides a team of professionals ready to care for you and your loved ones. We understand the challenges faced by caregivers and are committed to providing compassionate care that meets the needs of those we serve. If you would like more information about our services, please visit our website or call us today.Contact us online or by phone at 772-400-9229 and by visiting us at our location 3850 20th Street Suite 7 Vero Beach, FL 32960. BrightStar Care is here to help you and your family in any way we can.