It can be a challenge for doctors to diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS). There’s no single test that can prove you have it. And many conditions have symptoms that seem like MS.
A neurologist — a doctor who specializes in treating the disease — should be able to help. They’ll ask how you’re feeling and help you figure out if your symptoms mean you have MS or another problem.
What Do Doctors Look For?
A certain set of signs points to MS. Your doctor will need to:
- Find damage to at least two areas of your central nervous system (your brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves)
- Prove the damage happened at different points in time
- Rule out any other diagnosis
What Are the Tools for Diagnosis?
The doctor will start by asking you about your medical history and your symptoms. They’ll also do a few tests to see if your brain and spinal cord are working as they should. These include:
MRI: This imaging test lets the doctor take a closer look at your brain.
They can see changes caused by multiple 
sclerosis like signs of inflammation in the deep parts of your brain or spinal cord.
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