Blood testsīlood tests are usually performed to rule out other causes of your symptoms, such as vitamin deficiencies or a very rare, but potentially very similar, condition called neuromyelitis optica. Lumbar punctures are very safe, but are often uncomfortable and can cause a headache that occasionally lasts for up to a few days.Ī lumbar puncture will often be performed to provide extra information if your symptoms or scans are unusual. The sample is then tested for immune cells and antibodies, which is a sign that your immune system has been fighting a disease in your brain and spinal cord. The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, which means you'll be awake, but the area the needle goes in will be numbed. Spinal fluid is the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord, and changes in the fluid can suggest problems with the nervous system. Lumbar punctureĪ lumbar puncture is a procedure to remove a sample of your spinal fluid by inserting a needle into the lower back. It's a painless test and can show whether it takes your brain longer than normal to receive messages. Light patterns are shown to the eyes while your brainwaves are monitored using small, sticky patches called electrodes placed on your head. The most common type assesses how well the eyes work. There are several types of evoked potential test. Newer scanners are more open and work quicker than those used in the past, and most people have scans without any problems. Tell your neurologist if you're worried about this. The machine is noisy and some people feel claustrophobic while the scan is done. Finding this can help confirm a diagnosis in most people with MS.Ī standard MRI scanner is like a large tube or tunnel. It can show whether there's any damage or scarring of the myelin sheath (the layer surrounding your nerves) in your brain and spinal cord. MRI scanĪn MRI scan is a painless scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. These may show whether your nerves are damaged in a way that might suggest MS. Your neurologist will look for abnormalities, changes or weakness in your vision, eye movements, hand or leg strength, balance and co-ordination, speech and reflexes. Some of the tests you may need to confirm MS are discussed on this page. It may also not be possible to confirm a diagnosis if you have had only 1 attack of MS-like symptoms.Ī diagnosis can only be made with confidence once there's evidence of at least 2 separate attacks, although this may include signs of attacks on an MRI scan that you may not realise you have had. Other possible causes of your symptoms may need to be ruled out first. Tests for multiple sclerosisĭiagnosing MS is complicated because no single test can positively diagnose it.
If the GP thinks you could have MS you should see a neurologist, a specialist in conditions of the nervous system, for an assessment. Letting them know about the type and pattern of symptoms you're experiencing in detail will help them determine whether you might have the condition. See a GP if you think you have symptoms of MS. Vincent Children’s Hospital in Green Bay for those times when our patients heart issues require attentive, nurturing care close to home.Īnd when your child is ready to transition to adult care, we’ll be here to answer your questions and assist you with the planning, transfer and integration into adult-centered health care.It can be hard to tell whether your symptoms might be caused by multiple sclerosis (MS) at first, as some of the symptoms can be quite vague or similar to other conditions. Our expert physicians diagnose and treat heart problems in children with both congenital (at birth) and acquired (issues that develop after birth, such as from an infection or other disease) heart conditions from birth on. Congenital and acquired heart conditions from birth through adulthoodĪt Prevea, our team works closely with pediatricians, family medicine providers and other pediatric specialists to provide the best care possible to our patients and their families. Prevea provides progressive treatments that improve the lives of children of all ages. As part of our long-standing commitment to children’s health, we have a team of highly-skilled cardiologists, hospitalists, anesthesiologists, nurses, therapists and other medical professionals. Heart issues are the most common type of birth defect.
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