less than one in 12.5 million. In the medical literature, at least 42 examples of patients with both illnesses have been recorded.
However, it is still being determined if there is a correlation or whether some individuals have both illnesses by chance.
Some experts believe that multiple sclerosis might induce brain damage, increasing the chance of Parkinson’s disease.
For example, researchers from a 2016 study that looked at all Danish people who had multiple sclerosis between 1980 and 2005 discovered evidence of a probable causal relationship, but further research is required to determine how strong the link is and what causes it.
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Parkinson’s Symptoms vs. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis may share several symptoms, such as:
- Bladder control problems
- Trouble with balance
- Trembling hands or limbs
- Anxiety or depression
Multiple sclerosis symptoms vary greatly across individuals but may include:
- Vision issues
- Sexual issues
- Dizziness
- Bowel issues
- Discomfort and itching
- Cognitive changes
- Depression
Parkinson’s disease often causes:
- Tremors cause delayed movement
- Muscular stiffness
Other common symptoms include:
- Constipation
- Scent impairment
- Minor handwriting and speech alterations
- Hunched posture
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Differentiating Parkinson’s Disease from Multiple Sclerosis
Doctors analyze your medical history and do a range of tests to determine if you have Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, including the following:
- Neurological examination
- Physical examination
- Imaging blood tests
The Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis cannot be diagnosed by a single test. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society states that to establish a diagnosis, your doctor must:
- Discover evidence of injury in two independent sections of your central nervous system (brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord) AND
- Find evidence that the damage happened at different periods AND
- Rule out all other possibilities
Your doctor may order the following tests:
- Blood testing
- MRI scan
- Spinal fluid analysis
Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis
You must have two out of three of the following for your doctor to make a diagnosis:
- Tremors or shaking
- Muscular stiffness and slowness of movement
- A strong reaction to the medicine Levodopa
A dopamine transporter scan (DaTscan) may detect a reduction of dopaminergic uptake in your brain’s basal ganglia. However, interpreting the data might be challenging and isn’t commonly used.
Parkinson’s Disease vs. Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
There is presently no cure for Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis. The goal of treatment is to delay development and reduce symptoms.
Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis
Many patients with mild types of multiple sclerosis do well without treatment. Among the treatment possibilities are the following:
- Corticosteroids: Although corticosteroids are used to treat inflammation, they do not delay disease development.
- The interchange of plasma: If your symptoms are severe and do not improve with steroids, your doctor may advise you to undergo a plasma exchange. This procedure involves removing plasma cells from your blood, combining them with a solution, and reinjecting them back into your body.
- Medications that alter illness progression: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized a variety of medications to prevent relapses or progression of multiple sclerosis. Learn more about the drugs used to treat multiple sclerosis.
- Other medicines: Other drugs, such as those for tiredness, muscular stiffness, or pain, may be administered.
- Physical therapy: To increase your strength, balance, and mobility, a physical therapist may help you stretch and strengthen your muscles.
Parkinson’s Treatment
Medications are often used to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms. The following drugs are often used to treat Parkinson’s disease:
- Monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors
- Deep brain stimulation (a surgical treatment occasionally used to treat severe Parkinson’s disease)
Supportive treatments, including physiotherapy and occupational therapy, may help you increase your mobility and independence for as long as possible. Speech and language therapy may assist you in identifying and treating speech difficulties.
Conclusion
Both Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis are neurological disorders that predominantly affect the brain and spinal cord. Although they may cause some of the same symptoms, they need distinct therapies and must be properly diagnosed.
Both problems are often diagnosed by seeing your family doctor, who may send you to a neurologist, a specialist who specializes in the brain and nerves.