Up to 20% of MS diagnoses may be wrong, like Christina Applegate's
Summary
Actor Christina Applegate revealed she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) after years of believing she had it. Experts say that about 15-20% of people diagnosed with MS actually do not have the disease because the symptoms and brain scan results can be similar to other conditions.Key Facts
- MS is a disease where the immune system attacks the central nervous system, causing various symptoms.
- There is no single test that can definitively diagnose MS.
- About 1 in 5 people diagnosed with MS may not actually have it, according to experts.
- Misdiagnosis often happens because brain scan abnormalities can be caused by other issues like high blood pressure, smoking, or migraines.
- Advanced MRI tests and spinal fluid analysis help doctors better distinguish MS from other conditions.
- New, more specific diagnostic rules for MS were introduced in 2025 to reduce misdiagnoses.
- If misdiagnosed, doctors look for other causes such as autoimmune diseases, fibromyalgia, or migraines.
- Many MS treatments are safe, and a second opinion is often recommended if symptoms do not improve.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
