Multiple Sclerosis Specialist

Lower Merion Neurology PC Our Services Multiple Sclerosis

Lower Merion Neurology PC

Neurologist located in Paoli, PA & Narberth, PA

Multiple Sclerosis most often appears between the ages of 20-40, and it’s three times more common in women than men. This inflammatory autoimmune disease doesn’t have a cure, but Sudhir Aggarwal, MD, PhD, at Lower Merion Neurology PC specializes in treating multiple sclerosis, using his expertise to limit the impact of the disease and control your symptoms. If you develop symptoms like eye problems, numbness or muscle weakness, schedule an appointment online or call the office located in Paoli, Pennsylvania, and serving the larger Main Line area.

Multiple Sclerosis Q & A

What causes Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

MS develops when your immune system attacks nerves in your brain and spinal cord, damaging a protective outer covering called the myelin sheath. Once the myelin sheath is damaged, the affected nerves can’t send electrical signals. As a result, your brain can’t communicate with the rest of your body.

Dr. Aggarwal at Lower Merion Neurology PC treats the three types of MS:

Relapsing-remitting MS

Relapsing-remitting MS is the initial diagnosis for about 80% of patients. In this type of MS, you go through alternating periods of symptom flare-ups and remission.

Secondary progressive MS

About 60-70% of patients diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS subsequently develop secondary progressive MS. When this happens, they no longer go into remission, and their MS symptoms worsen.

Primary progressive MS

Primary progressive MS is the initial diagnosis for about 10-20% of patients. This diagnosis means they never go into remission, and their symptoms gradually worsen right from the start.

What symptoms develop in patients with Multiple Sclerosis?

The Multiple Sclerosis symptoms you develop depend on the nerves affected and the extent of the damage. In most patients, the earliest symptoms affect their eyes, causing problems such as:

  • Inflamed optic nerve
  • Partial or complete vision loss
  • Pain when moving eyes
  • Double vision

The symptoms that occur in the rest of the body include:

  • Numbness or muscle weakness in your arms or legs
  • Tingling or pain in the areas of your body served by the damaged nerve
  • Painful electric-shock sensations when moving your neck
  • Difficulty with balance and gait
  • Memory problems

You may also experience tremors or problems with speaking, such as slurred speech.

How is Multiple Sclerosis treated?

At Lower Merion Neurology PC, Dr. Aggarwal prescribes one of the several oral and injectable medications available to treat Multiple Sclerosis. These medications have different ways of working. While some slow down the progression of MS, others reduce nerve damage, help you recover from a relapse, or relieve daily symptoms.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved more than a dozen medications that reduce the frequency and severity of MS flare-ups.

At the first sign of Multiple Sclerosis symptoms, schedule an appointment at Lower Merion Neurology PC — call the office or book an appointment online.

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