Multiple Sclerosis can be devastating, but new screening techniques and treatments are helping patients lead more productive lives.

Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable, chronic disease of the central nervous system. Approximately 400 thousand Americans have MS. It usually affects people in their 20s and 30s, and can have a variety of symptoms. Dr. James LaGuardia, assistant professor of neurology at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield explains:

SOUND BITE: ". . .the most common symptoms consist of optic neuritis, where the person can lose vision in one eye or both -- either fully or partially. And that generally improves almost back to normal in most cases. Some people have stroke-like symptoms with weakness or numbness on one side of the body or the other. Some people have speech disturbances. Others have memory problems. Some have problems with control of their bowel or bladder. And many have difficulty with walking - either walking too stiffly, having weakness of the legs or just being off balance.

Twice as many women than men have MS. Patients can be expected to lead a normal or near normal life. About two-thirds of MS patients remain able to walk, though some may need the aid of a cane or crutches. Dr. LaGuardia says it's important for people to be diagnosed early so they can start medications to help prevent disability. He explains the screening options:

SOUND BITE: " . . . the major way to diagnose MS is with an MRI of the brain or spinal cord, depending on the symptoms. And that test now is so sensitive that sometimes we see patients that we think have Multiple Sclerosis who literally have had no symptoms. They had their MRIs for other reasons and the Multiple Sclerosis was incidentally discovered. Because of that a lot us believe that we are diagnosing the condition at a much higher rate than we did before."

After the diagnosis is made, newer medications including interferon help people manage their symptoms and lead more productive lives. If someone you know has symptoms of MS, they should see a physician for diagnosis and treatment.