Diagnosing multiple sclerosis is an involved process.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive disease that affects the brain, optic nerve and spinal chord, also referred to as the central nervous system. According to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, as the disease progresses it causes the patient to have a reduction or loss of bodily functions. Many types of physicians contribute toward the diagnosis and treatment of patients with this disease. Their contributions help patients to manage their illness and continue to live and work to the best of their physical ability.
Neurologist
A neurologist is a brain specialist.
Neurologists specialize in illness, injuries and diseases related to or affecting the brain and nerves. A neurologist is often one of the first doctors a patient is referred to when the primary care physician suspects the patient might have MS or any other type of illness affecting the system. MS is not often easy to diagnose and the neurologist runs many diagnostic tests to rule out other medical conditions. When the neurologist meets with the patient, she will review the patient's medical history and ask about family medical history, as well. Then she'll conduct a thorough neurological examination which includes testing reflexes, testing your nerves with electromagnetic currents and testing your vision, hearing and recall. As the neurologist rules out other medical conditions, she will be able to form a diagnosis and create a treatment plan.
Neuromusculoskeletal Physican
Neuromusculoskeletal medical practitioners treat the patient's whole body, in the same way as most holistic health care practitioners would. He believes that an imbalance between the patient's skeletal framework, musculature and nervous system can result in many different diseases and disorders. An osteopath is one type of neuromusculoskeletal physician who offers treatment to patient's with multiple sclerosis. He helps the patient with maintaining and restoring body functions by using chiropractic-type manipulations and adjustments, under the premise that this helps the patient's body heal itself. The neuromusculoskeletal physician prefers to use these techniques with physical therapy.
Immunopathologist
Determining the source of the disease takes place in the laboratory.
A pathologist is a doctor who works in a laboratory setting. An immunopathologist works in the lab to study and determine the cause of diseases affecting the central nervous and immune systems by examining bodily fluids, tissue samples and studying cells. She does this by viewing samples under a microscope, using what she sees and her expertise to determine what disease or illness is represented by the sample. The immunopathologist assists other doctors in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
Tags: central nervous, multiple sclerosis, nervous system, , affecting central nervous