Multiple Sclerosis: A Family Practice Perspective

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that predominately attacks the myelin sheath of the central nervous system. Demyelination occurs often along with scarring at multiple sites throughout the central nervous system. Multiple sclerosis may produce mild symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or changes in writing patterns or other times with severe symptoms such as loss of vision or paralysis. Patients with MS are often seen first by primary care physicians and may have only a few subtle symptoms. The diagnosis of MS made by the primary care physician is done with a high index of suspicion and managed with the aid of neurology consultation.