Multiple sclerosis and pregnancy
In terms of gender, multiple sclerosis affects women more often than men. This raises the question of whether pregnancy is also possible without complaints in cases of diagnosed multiple sclerosis. As already mentioned, the multiple Sklerose is not inherited to the child.Only the predisposition would be present, but it is not decisive to fall ill with multiple sclerosis later.
Besides the desire to have children, pregnancy is just as possible as in healthy persons. Also the fertility of patients does not differ from healthy persons. Just as often, lower relapses are observed during pregnancy.
The only symptoms that can occur are those caused by the pregnancy. Thus, the patient has to invest more or less energy in the pregnancy and birth. If there is a desire to have children, this can be discussed and planned calmly with the doctor. Likewise, during pregnancy the taking of medication should be discussed with the doctor in order not to harm the unborn child. Even in the case of unplanned pregnancies, a clarification with the doctor is beneficial for the patient.
Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
In order to distinguish multiple sclerosis from other diseases (e.g. Lyme disease), extensive differential diagnosis is required. By means of an anamnesis risk factors are asked and a general picture of the patient is gained. The physical examination includes neurological tests on the patient to check strength, reflexes, fine motor skills and muscle tension.
The nerve conduction velocity can also be examined by electrophysiological measurement to detect deficits. If the nerve impulses are transmitted slowly, the first direct suspicion of multiple sclerosis is revealed. In a further step, the patient’s central nervous system is examined in more detail.
Imaging procedures such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) provide an insight into the inside of the central nervous system and can reveal inflammatory foci. These inflammatory foci are the result of destroyed myelin sheaths that have been attacked. In this process, proteins or special antibodies are released, which can be detected by examining the cerebrospinal fluid.
The cerebrospinal fluid is a fluid in the area of the brain and spinal cord. It is removed from the back by lumbar puncture through a hollow needle. The temporal and spatial spacing of the attacks (McDonald criteria) can also lead to a reliable diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
All articles in this series:
