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Multiple Sclerosis services offered in Katy, TX
Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) is challenging. Sadia Yasser, MD, and the compassionate team at Advanced Neurology of Katy are committed to providing care and support for people living with MS. They diagnose, monitor, and treat MS, aiming to improve each patient’s quality of life. Call the office in Katy, Texas, today or book an appointment online for expert multiple sclerosis care.
What is multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease. It affects the nervous system. The immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin cells that make up the protective cover of the nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
The attack damages the myelin sheath, disrupting nerve signals and causing problems with movement, vision, and other functions.
About 1 million people in the United States have MS. Researchers are still trying to determine what causes MS. They’ve theorized that it arises in people with a genetic predisposition to the disease triggered by an environmental factor like smoking or exposure to toxins.
What are the early symptoms of multiple sclerosis?
MS affects people differently, and the symptoms vary. Early signs of multiple sclerosis include:
- Vision changes
- Muscle weakness
- Unusual sensations like numbness
Other symptoms include balance and coordination difficulties, fatigue, clumsiness, and muscle stiffness or tremors.
What types of multiple sclerosis are there?
The specialists at Advanced Neurology of Katy use symptoms as a way to classify MS. There are four main types:
Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)
CIS is the classification type for when you first show symptoms of MS but don’t meet the diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis.
Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)
Most people with MS have RRMS type, experiencing flare-ups followed by periods of remission of MS symptoms.
Secondary progressive MS (SPMS)
Many people with RRMS progress to SPMS, which is when the symptoms gradually get worse due to ongoing nerve damage.
Primary progressive MS (PPMS)
PPMS is a type in which people have MS symptoms with no periods of remission.
How is multiple sclerosis diagnosed?
The team at Advanced Neurology of Katy completes comprehensive evaluations to diagnose MS. They take detailed medical and symptom histories, do physical and neurological exams, and order an MRI of the brain and spinal cord.
They diagnose MS based on your symptoms and MRI results.
What treatments help manage multiple sclerosis symptoms?
The Advanced Neurology of Katy team personalizes MS treatment plans based on the frequency and severity of symptoms and relapses. Corticosteroids are among the primary treatments; they suppress the immune system to reduce inflammation and damage.
The team might also prescribe disease-modifying treatments that suppress the inflammatory reaction to the disease.
The team can also add other treatments to address specific symptoms, including medication to reduce tremors and therapy to help with muscle weakness and balance.
Call Advanced Neurology of Katy today or book an appointment online to learn more about treatment for multiple sclerosis.