Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a difficult disease, not just to cope with
but also to even diagnose. Many patients can go for several years from
one doctor to another with no definitive answers until finally the
diagnosis is made. The reason is that many symptoms that MS creates
are symptoms that are apparent and representative of other diseases as
well.

Part of the problem in diagnosing MS is that there are no definitive
tests strictly for MS screening. Rather there are several tests given
that in total can point, with some certainty, to MS. Basically, the
symptoms are reviewed in conjunction with various radiology studies as
well as lab testing and even cognitive function. Your doctor may
indeed come to an MS conclusion based on the results of these
screening techniques:

1.  Neurological Testing – An examination will methodically test each
part of your nervous system which includes your sense of touch, heat
and cold, pain and even vibration.  In addition, reflexes are tested
as well as muscle strength and your muscle tone. The doctors will
examine your posture, balance, coordination and how you carry yourself
when you walk. Finally, there will be a question and answer session to
test cognitive skills like memory, judgment and how clear your thought
processes are.

2.  Medical History – Your doctor or doctors will review all of your
symptoms along and also as part of a group. They will likely ask you
to keep a diary of your days to keep track of pain, fatigue and more
to determine a probable pattern in the symptoms as a part of trying to
pinpoint the diagnosis.

3.  Magnetic Resonance Imaging aka MRI – This is a powerful test in
which you are passed through a cylindrical shaped tube which emits a
magnetic field and radio waves. This scanner creates computer
generated images that doctors can study. Typically, you would be
injected with a dye like gadolinium via an IV so that it can course
through your body. This dye will illuminate the MS lesions in the
brain and spinal cord area via the MRI. The images can be created from
every possible perspective for the doctors to study. Some MRIs can
show the extent of the MS damage to the myelin and nerves.

4.  Lumbar Puncture aka Spinal Tap – A sample of your spinal fluid is
obtained via a spinal tap and sent to a lab for analysis. Testing will
show abnormalities like white blood cell counts or protein levels that
are out of whack, two indicators of possible MS. A spinal tap can also
rule out infections and various other conditions which can cause
similar MS symptoms.

As you can see, there are several tests that in and of them selves
would not be the sole indicator of the disease multiple sclerosis.
However, taken collectively, the results of the testing can definitely
point doctors towards an MS diagnosis. Some of these tests may be
taken several times at various periods to make comparisons as well.
Perhaps one day there will be one definitive test that could test for
MS, but until then, the four screening techniques listed above are a
doctor’s best tools.