While MS is one disease, yet its course and progression vary from person to person. It is important to explain the progression of this condition, which can be helpful for understanding its symptoms and the type of MS you currently have.
While MS is one disease, yet its course and progression vary from person to person. It is important to explain the progression of this condition, which can be helpful for understanding its symptoms and the type of MS you currently have.
People with MS generally experience a progression of MS symptoms and severity throughout their lives. MS experts now consider there to be four types (or courses) of MS, including one precursor. Each is distinct, but each has periods when the disease:
Refers to a single episode of neurological symptoms lasting at least 24 hours, possibly indicating the start of MS. If a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan finds brain lesions like those found in MS, the patient is likely to get an MS diagnosis. If no lesions are found, an MS diagnosis is unlikely.
This is the most common form of MS- about 85-90% people are first diagnosed with this form of MS. In this type, patients have clear attacks of new or worsening symptoms that last days, weeks or months. The attacks are followed by periods of partial or full recovery that can last months or years. Sometimes symptoms vanish- other times, few symptoms remain and become permanent.
This is usually a progression from RRMS; meaning most people who have RRMS eventually develop SPMS. This form of MS is characterized by steadily worsening disability and symptoms over time, with or without occasional relapses.
This is a type of MS where symptoms gradually worsen from the start, without distinct relapses or remissions. While it typically progresses steadily, some patients may experience occasional relapses with temporary worsening of symptoms followed by partial recovery. Approximately 10% of people with MS are diagnosed with this form of the disease.
The majority of people with MS have relapsing forms of MS (RMS) or Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) at diagnosis. In all forms of MS, damage to the CNS accumulates over time and eventually, a person will start to notice reduced mobility or other symptoms that do not improve.
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