Multiple sclerosis is a disease that has acquired great repercussion in recent years because the diagnoses are more frequent and because those affected are demanding that more funds be allocated to research into this pathology. In today's article we will take a closer look at the diseases that mimic multiple sclerosis, but not before explaining the symptoms and the origin of this ailment.
What is multiple sclerosis and its most frequent symptoms?
Multiple Sclerosis has been classified as a clinicopathological entity for more than a century, but its cause is still unknown. It is characterized by damage to the central nervous system through the loss of myelin and a decrease in axons. Multiple sclerosis is characterized by symptoms such as weakness, paresthesias, vision problems, intention tremor, ataxia, alteration of deep sensitivity, emotional disturbances and cognitive impairment.
Are multiple sclerosis and ALS the same thing?
Many people mistakenly believe that multiple sclerosis and ALS are the same. In the following lines we focus on explaining the similarities and differences between one disease and the other. The symptoms they share include a feeling of weakness and muscle stiffness, which often results in difficulty in moving the limbs and pronounced motor incoordination. Multiple sclerosis and its early symptoms include tingling and difficulty walking.
However, on the other hand, as multiple sclerosis progresses, emotional and cognitive problems begin to occur: anxiety attacks, sadness and gloominess, as well as memory lapses. In contrast, ALS does not present cognitive problems but a severe worsening of mobility and all motor function, which continues to worsen gradually. Even in the later stages of ALS disease, patients often have problems with swallowing and breathing.
Diseases with symptoms similar to multiple sclerosis
In addition to ALS, there are other diseases that mimic the symptomatology of multiple sclerosis. Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome or neuromyelitis optica are some of the most relevant diseases. Below, we explain in detail the characteristics of these diseases and provide a link to the treatment of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is composed of a group of problems and disorders in the musculoskeletal system and the most frequent symptoms are extreme fatigue, persistent pain near the joints, and also stiffness of varying intensity in the muscles, tendons and surrounding soft tissue. Here is a link to further information on the treatment of fibromyalgia.
Chronic fatigue syndrome.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a debilitating disorder with one main symptom: fatigue from which the body never seems to recover. This weakness, muscle pain, memory lapses or poor mental concentration, difficulties in falling asleep, make up the main symptomatology of this pathology. At BioSalud Day Hospital we have developed a natural treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome.
Neuromyelitis optica.
Finally, another disease that mimics multiple sclerosis is neuromyelitis optica. It is a chronic inflammatory disease with effects that attack the optic nerve and medulla. Its symptoms usually focus on outbreaks of high-intensity optic neuritis, which can produce blindness and also paraplegia of varying severity.
Is it possible to confuse multiple sclerosis with anxiety?
It is possible to confuse multiple sclerosis with anxiety because symptoms such as emotional disturbances can be misleading. Often, patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis develop anxiety because of the uncertainty about their future and because it is a pathology currently classified as incurable. We can therefore conclude that anxiety is one of the consequences of multiple sclerosis and that is the reason why they are related.
What is the treatment to cure multiple sclerosis?
The treatment of multiple sclerosis is one of the specialties of our clinic. Before applying the appropriate measures, it is necessary to determine the type of multiple sclerosis the patient suffers from. An accurate diagnosis of the following types of multiple sclerosis will make it possible to treat it in the most appropriate way possible.
- Primary progressive multiple sclerosis affecting 1 in 6 people at the time of diagnosis.
- Relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis that affects 5 out of 6 people when the initial diagnosis is made.
- Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis affects 3 out of 7 multiple sclerosis patients a decade after diagnosis.
Although multiple sclerosis has no cure to date, treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients. We are convinced that this article on diseases that mimic multiple sclerosis will have helped you to distinguish between the different ailments that can cause confusion, although if you still have any doubts, we recommend that you contact our healthcare personnel specialized in multiple sclerosis.
Sources
