Health conditions of the spinal cord can cause widespread problems throughout the entire body. It is vital that you understand the differences in these conditions. Two of the most common include multiple sclerosis and spinal stenosis. They are both caused with problems in the spinal cord but are extremely different.
Key Facts About Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
1. Overview
Multiple sclerosis, commonly referred to as MS, is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease. It is caused when the insulating caps on nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain are damaged. This causes a wide array of symptoms all over the entire body. There is currently no cure for MS.
2. Causes
The precise cause of MS is not known but some theories have emerged. Many people believe that it is an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks the myelin in the body. This is the fatty substance that covers the nerve fibers. The reason why some people are affected and others are not is unclear but genetics and child hood infections are thought to play a role.
3. Symptoms
The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are never the same in two people. Because this disease affects the brain and spinal cord a huge variety of symptoms may be present, including physical, mental, and psychological. Some of the common signs of MS include unusual sensations, bladder problems, loss of balance, thinking problems, vision problems, lack of coordination, weakness in limbs, dizziness, fatigue, sexual trouble, speech problems, and muscle spasms. Someone can have one or two symptoms and then not have another one for years.
4. Treatment
There are multiple treatments availble for MS symptoms, but not for the disease itself. Some of these treatments include deep brain stimulation, various drugs that may slow the disease, plasma exchange, botox, and IV steroids. All of these are focused on different symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
Things To Know About Spinal Stenosis
1. Basics
Spinal stenosis is when the spaces in the spine narrow and cause pressure on the nerves and spinal cord. Majority of cases of spinal stenosis occur in the lower back. There are many different causes and symptoms of this health condition. This causes a restriction in the spinal canal resulting in neurological deficit.
2. Types
There are two different types of spinal stenosis: lumbar and cervical. Lumbar is when the nerve roots in the lower back become compressed. This often causes symptoms of sciatica. Cervical spinal stenosis is when the spine is affected near the neck, which is much more dangerous and causes severe symptoms.
3. Symptoms
Spinal stenosis symptoms can be very painful and confused with other issues. Common symptoms include weakness, pain in the arm or hand, numbness in the legs, discomfort when standing, unexplained weight loss, pain when you lying down, fever, and structural deformities.
4. Treatment
Some of the non surgical treatment options are pain medications, a good exercise regimen, weight loss to stop progression, and epidural steroid injections. Surgical options are interlaminar implant, which is when a U shaped device is placed in the lower back. Cervical discectomy is also an option, which is surgical decompression of the nerves.
Differences Between Multiple Sclerosis and Spinal Stenosis
1.What Is Affected
With MS the ends of the nerves in the brain and spinal cord are effected. Spinal stenosis is a constriction of the space in between the spine. They both can effect the spinal cord but MS produces much broader symptoms.
2. Symptoms
The symptoms of spinal stenosis and MS are also very different. Spinal stenosis causes localized pain from the pressure in the spine and is often easily diagnosed. MS causes symptoms throughout the entire body as well as the mind. Symptoms are easily looked over.
3. Treatment Options
Spinal stenosis can be treated very effectively with both surgical and non surgical options. MS is much more complicated to treat and no set cure is available.