What is a CNS demyelinating condition?
The nerve fibers in your central nervous system (CNS) — namely your brain, your optic nerve, and your spinal cord — are surrounded by myelin sheaths, which protect them. With a demyelinating condition, your immune system mistakenly attacks these sheaths, compromising the nerves and cutting off the communication between your brain and your body.
What are the most common demyelinating diseases?
The most common diseases that fall under a CNS demyelinating condition include:
Demyelinating conditions are relatively uncommon, but multiple sclerosis represents the majority of cases.
What are the symptoms of the more common demyelinating conditions?
While demyelinating conditions share many of the same symptoms, there are differences. To help you distinguish between the three most common conditions, here’s a look at the symptoms within each.
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
The most common signs of MS include:
- Numbness on one side of your body in your trunk and legs
- A shock-like sensation when you move your neck
- Tremors
- Unsteady gait
- Vision loss or vision problems like double vision
MS usually begins as a relapsing-remitting disease, but it can turn into a progressive condition with no remissions in its later stages.
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)
This rare disorder affects both your spinal cord and eyes and symptoms include:
- Vision loss in one eye (though it can occur in both)
- Pain in your back or legs
- Gradual numbness in your legs, which can lead to paralysis
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
These symptoms mimic MS quite closely, but there are subtle differences in the two behaviors of the diseases that the Medical Imaging Center of Southern California can identify.
Transverse myelitis
The hallmarks of transverse myelitis include:
- Pain in your lower back that can radiate out through your limbs
- Numbness, tingling, and other abnormal sensations in your body
- Weakness in your limbs
- Bladder and bowel issues
These symptoms can vary greatly depending upon which area of your spinal cord is affected.
How are CNS demyelinating conditions diagnosed?
The Medical Imaging Center of Southern California has experience in identifying these uncommon conditions and has the most up-to-date diagnostic equipment available. More often than not, diagnosing a CNS demyelinating condition comes down to rule out other medical issues.
Rest assured, through extensive evaluation, the Medical Imaging Center of Southern California can get to the bottom of your problem so that you receive the treatment you need, including effective IV protocols that help slow the progression and relapse frequency of demyelinating conditions.
For more information about demyelinating conditions in your central nervous system, call Medical Imaging Center of Southern California or request a consultation using the online booking tool.
