NEUROLOGY & SLEEP SPECIALISTS LOCATED IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, ALEXANDRIA, VA, OLD ALEXANDRIA, VA, LORTON, VA, & FALLS CHURCH, VA

Integrated Neurology Services

Neurology & Sleep Specialists Located in Northern Virginia, Alexandria, VA, Old Alexandria, VA, Lorton, VA, & Falls Church, VA

When you have multiple sclerosis (MS), it’s common to feel a mix of emotions, including anxiety and confusion. You can feel confident knowing the expert team at Integrated Neurology Services offers the full spectrum of treatment options for MS at their Northern Virginia locations in Alexandria, Falls Church, and Lorton, also serving the Vienna, VA, community. For personalized MS treatment, call your nearest office or book an appointment online today.

Multiple Sclerosis Q & A

What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the central nervous system, which is your brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. This disease causes your immune system to attack myelin, which is the protective sheath that covers your nerve fibers. The myelin sheath increases the rate of communication between your brain and the rest of your body. 

When MS damages the myelin sheath, the nerves become exposed and vulnerable to further damage. This disrupts the communication between your brain and the rest of your body. 

There’s no cure for MS, but the team at Integrated Neurology Services provides a wide range of treatments to control the disease. They offer short wait times for new patient appointments so you can see a highly qualified doctor as soon as possible. 

What are the symptoms of multiple sclerosis?

Signs and symptoms of MS can vary dramatically from one person to the next. You may also experience different symptoms throughout the course of the disease. Depending on the location and severity of the damage, MS symptoms may include:

  • Fatigue
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Muscle stiffness and weakness
  • Balance and coordination problems
  • Vision problems, including blurred or double vision
  • Sexual difficulties
  • Bowel and/or bladder incontinence
  • Tremor or unsteady gait
  • Slurred speech

Many people experience relapse-remitting MS. This means symptoms worsen for a period of days or weeks (relapse), followed by months or years of no symptoms (remission).  

What are the treatment options for multiple sclerosis?

First, your Integrated Neurology Services provider reviews your medical history and performs a thorough exam. They may take tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to help determine the best course of treatment for you. 

Then, they create a custom-tailored treatment plan to manage most, if not all, of your symptoms. The team at Integrated Neurology Services offers all treatment options for MS, including disease-modifying therapies to reduce the frequency and severity of relapses in relapse-remitting MS. 

Oral treatments for MS include:

  • Aubagio®
  • Gilenya®
  • Tecfidera™
  • Mavenclad®
  • Mayzent®

Oral medications are a relatively new treatment for MS, but the ease of application makes it an appealing option. 

There are also many effective infusion medications available to treat MS, including:

  • Ocrevus®
  • Tysabri®
  • Lemtrada®

These medications can slow the activity and progression of the disease.

Injectable medications were among the first treatments available for MS and there are even more varieties available today, including:

  • Rebif®
  • Extavia®
  • Copaxone®
  • Plegridy®
  • Betaseron®
  • Avonex®

If you suspect you have multiple sclerosis, call Integrated Neurology Services, or book an appointment online today for the highest-quality care. 

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