MS Chest Pain

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a neurological disease characterized by the destruction of myelin, an insulating nerve fiber coating that allows for the transmission of nerve signals or impulses. MS affects the central nervous system, which is composed of the brain and spinal cord. When myelin is destroyed, nerve signals are interrupted and can cause a wide range of symptoms occurring almost anywhere in the body.

Causes

• The cause of MS is unknown although it is believed to involve a combination of factors. Areas under investigation are genetic patterns, immunological reactions, infectious agents, environmental factors and vascular disorders. It has long been held that MS is an autoimmune disorder, where the body attacks its own tissues. Genetics are considered a factor due to the fact that MS appears more common within families, although researchers believe that an individual may be born genetically predisposed to MS but the disease must be triggered by other factors, possibly environmental toxins or a bacterial/viral infection, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Another possible cause being researched is a blockage in the veins of the neck known as chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency, or CCSVI.

Diagnosis

• No definitive test confirming MS is available and as such a combination of factors must be examined. Medical history, a neurological exam and tests including magnetic resonance imaging, evoked potentials and spinal fluid analysis from a spinal tap are all tools used to identify MS. The National MS Society also lists three criteria that must be met to make a diagnosis of MS: evidence of neurologic damage to the CNS at least twice, evidence that these episodes occurred at least one month apart and ruling out all other causes.

Symptoms

• MS can affect any system in the body and may cause a wide range of symptoms. More common symptoms include: numbness and tingling, fatigue, balance problems, dizziness or vertigo, vision disturbances, muscle weakness and spasticity, depression and incontinence. One MS symptom, euphemistically named the MS hug, causes a band-like tightening feeling around the torso and chest that can be quite painful, according to the National MS Society. It is important to note that the MS hug is sensory in nature and is not indicative of any cardiac problems.

Treatments

• Treatments are often symptom specific. In the case of the MS hug, pain may be treated with warmth, topical analgesic creams and/or mild antidepressants. Several disease-modifying medications are also available. One of these drugs, Copaxone, is associated with a number of side effects including chest pain. In this instance, the pain is brief and involves rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath, and usually occurs immediately after injection, according to RxList.

Considerations

• MS does not preclude other health conditions, as such, serious or painful symptoms should always be investigated to rule out other causes. Chest pain resulting from an MS hug is not accompanied by irregular heartbeats or other cardiac warning signs listed by the American Heart Association, such as shortness of breath, nausea or pain in the neck, jaw or arms. If any of these symptoms are experienced, even during an MS exacerbation, medical attention should be sought immediately.