MS Center
The NeuroHealth MS Center specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. Our goal is to promote early detection and create an environment that uses the most comprehensive medical care to achieve the best possible outcome for patients and families.

NeuroHealth's MS Program Patient Care Team provides the highest quality care under the leadership of neurologists Meryl G. Goldhaber, MD and Gary A. L'Europa, MD.

At NeuroHealth we combine on-site physical, occupational, and behavioral therapies with appropriate medical treatments to control the associated symptoms of MS and minimize disease progression. Individual symptoms of MS may be managed with other medications or non-pharmacological therapies. For example, difficulty in walking may respond well to anti-spasticity medications as well as physical therapy. Components addressed in our comprehensive treatment plan include:

• management of neurological symptoms of the disease
• related emotional and psychological issues
• rehabilitation therapy and exercise
• employment issues
• education
• counseling and instruction on self-help
• home care issues and needs
• long-term care issues
• referrals to affiliated specialists.

Types of Multiple Sclerosis
MS is most often diagnosed in adults between the ages of 20 and 40 years old, and progression varies depending on the severity of inflammation and the location in the nervous system.

There are four main types of MS:

Relapsing-Remitting
Relapsing-Remitting MS is the most common form of the disorder affecting about 85% of MS patients. People with this type of MS experience clearly defined flare-ups (also called relapses, attacks, or exacerbations). These episodes are followed by a remission period with some amount of recovery when the inflammation is resolved. Recovery after a relapse is not always complete.

Primary-Progressive
Considered relatively rare, primary-progressive MS affects only 10% of MS patients. People with this type of MS experience a slow but nearly continuous worsening of their disease from the onset, with no distinct relapses or remissions. However, there are variations in rates of progression over time, occasional plateaus, and temporary minor improvements.

Secondary-Progressive
Secondary-Progressive MS acts more like a relapsing form in its early to mid-stage with relapses and remissions. Then a more gradual, progressive loss of physical and cognitive functions begins and relapses become less common. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 50% of people with relapsing-remitting MS developed secondary-progressive within 10 years of their initial diagnosis, before introduction of the “disease-modifying” drugs.

Progressive-Relapsing
Of the four clinical courses of MS, the progressive-relapsing type is the most rare, affecting only 5% of MS patients. People with this type of MS experience a steadily worsening disease from the onset but also have clear acute relapses (attacks or exacerbations), with or without recovery. In contrast to relapsing-remitting MS, the periods between relapses are characterized by continuing disease progression.