Stages Of Multiple Sclerosis

There are four main stages of multiple sclerosis, and an individual can be diagnosed at any one of these four stages or "courses" of the disease. Multiple sclerosis treatment
will vary depending on which stage of the disease the patient is in. MS is a progressive disease, the stages are Relapsing remitting MS, Primary-progressive MS, Secondary-progressive MS, and Progressive-relapsing MS. Within two of the four stages are two "sub stages" if you will, called Benign MS and a very rare stage called Malignant MS.

To further understand how MS effects those diagnosed, it's important to learn about each of the four stages of multiple sclerosis. It should also be noted that although there are different stages, the symptoms can vary and even overlap from one individual to the next.

Stage One

Relapsing remitting MS is the most common stage diagnosed. It is the first stage of MS and about 85 percent will be diagnosed during this early stage of the disease.

Common symptoms include, fatigue, blurred vision, muscle stiffness, bladder problems.

During this stage it is more likely that the patient will suffer flare ups that are followed by periods of remission. These flare ups may last one to three months and then cease. It's also common that during the relapsing-remitting MS stage, an individual may not have another flare up for a year or more.

A person may be completely symptom free or may experience very mild symptoms during the remission period. But even without symptoms the damage to the central nervous system continues.

There is also another type of MS closely related to RRMS of which could be considered a "sub stage." It is referred to as benign multiple sclerosis in which there may be a flare up of some kind that happens a few times and either never returns or does so after several years. Those with the benign type of MS often live the rest of their lives never experiencing another neurological event. Doctors still do not know why some patients have no more symptoms and others have them for the rest of their lives.

Stage Two

The next of the four stages of multiple sclerosis is called primary-progressive MS. During PPMS patients typically experience a gradual re-occurrence of neurological problems. The most common symptom during this stage is the patient begins to have problems when walking and balance issues. They may also experience more relapses.

Stage Three

Once the next stage, known as secondary-progressive MS is reached. The symptoms continue to progress slowly over time. But the symptoms at this point are more disabling with fewer recoveries. Meaning the attacks can become more frequent and fewer recoveries or remission periods between attacks. Also during this stage the ability to function becomes more difficult. Furthermore, a person will experience fewer and fewer attacks or have none at all but the disability continues.

Stage Four

The final stage called progressive-relapsing MS is a rare. The flare up or attacks are usually very acute. A sub stage of PRMS is Malignant Multiple Sclerosis and is also known as Marburg's variant. It is very very rare. However, those diagnosed at this stage will experience the worst of MS very rapidly and will be severely disabled for the rest of their lives.

There are several symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis. However, each person may only experience a few of the symptoms. While others may experience several if not all.

The most common multiple sclerosis symptoms are:

>fatigue
>blurred vision
>muscle spasms
>tremors
>bladder problems
>dizziness
>slurred speech
>sexual dysfunction
>chronic pain
>depression
>inability to focus
>memory problems

A cure for multiple sclerosis still eludes medical researchers. Unfortunately, the diagnosis is just as difficult as finding a cure, because MS symptoms mimic so many other kinds of neurological disorders .Currently there is no "multiple sclerosis test" available to diagnose MS specifically. Most patients wait months before they are finally diagnosed. Until the medical community can accurately diagnosed MS, they will have to rely upon the stages of multiple sclerosis to treat patients accordingly.