MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS - Recognizing Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

Recognizing Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) tend to have their first symptoms between theages of 20 and 40. Usually the symptoms get better, but then come back. Somemay come and go, while others linger.

The unpredictable course of MS can make it hard to get a diagnosis quickly. Keeptrack of your symptoms to help your doctor know whether MS or another conditionis to blame.

You can manage and treat most symptoms ofMS.

Whether you have a diagnosis or are worriedabout symptoms, know that MS doesn't haveto control your life. You can work with yourdoctor to treat and manage your symptoms soyou can stay healthy and continue to live thelife you want.

Early Symptoms of MS

• Blurred or double vision
• Thinking problems
• Clumsiness or a lack of coordination
• Loss of balance
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness in an arm or leg.

No two people have exactly the samesymptoms of MS.

You may have a single symptom, and then go months or years without any others.A problem can also happen just one time, go away, and never return. For somepeople, the symptoms become worse within weeks or months.

Common Symptoms of MS

These are the most common changes to the mind and body.

Abnormal sensations: People with MS often say they feel a "pins and needles"sensation. They may also have numbness, itching, burning, stabbing, or tearingpains. About half of people with MS have these uncomfortable symptoms.Fortunately, they can be managed or treated.

Bladder problems: About 8 in 10 people have bladder problems, which can betreated. You may need to pee often, urgently, need to go at night, or have troubleemptying your bladder fully. Bowel problems, especially constipation, are alsocommon.

Difficulty walking: MS can cause muscle weakness or spasms, which make itharder to walk. Balance problems, numb feet, and fatigue can also make walkingdifficult.

Dizziness: It's common to feel dizzy or lightheaded. You usually won't have vertigo,or the feeling that the room is spinning.

Fatigue: About 8 in 10 people feel very tired. It often comes on in the afternoon andcauses weak muscles, slowed thinking, or sleepiness. It's usually not related to theamount of work you do. Some people with MS say they can feel tired even after agood night's sleep.

Muscle spasms: They usually affect the leg muscles. For about 40% of people theyare an early symptom of MS. In progressive MS, muscle spasms affect about 6 in10 people. You might feel mild stiffness or strong, painful muscle spasms.

Sexual difficulties: These include vaginal dryness in women and erectionproblems in men. Both men and women may be less responsive to touch, have alower sex drive, or have trouble reaching orgasm.

Speech problems: Sometimes MS can cause people to pause a long time in between words and have slurred or nasal speech. Some people also develop swallowing problems in more advanced stages of MS.

Thinking problems: About half of people with MS have trouble concentrating that comes and goes. For most, this means slowed thinking, poor attention, or fuzzy memory. Rarely, people can have severe problems that make it hard to do daily tasks. MS usually does not change your intellect and ability to read and understand conversation.

Tremors: About half of people with MS have tremors. They can be minor shakes or make it hard to manage everyday activities.

Vision problems: Problems with your eyes tend to be one of the first symptoms. They usually affect only one eye and go away on their own. Your sight may be blurry, gray, or have a dark spot in the center. You may suddenly have eye pain and temporary vision loss.

Very rarely, people with MS may have breathing problems or seizures.

What Causes MS Symptoms?

Doctors divide the symptoms into three groups: primary, secondary, and tertiary.

Primary symptoms come from damage to the protective sheath around the nerves in your spine or brain. The damage is called demyelination. It causes scarring, which makes it harder for signals to travel between the brain and the body.

This process can lead to bladder or bowel problems, loss of balance, numbness, paralysis, tingling, tremors, vision problems, or weakness.

Medicine, rehabilitation, and other treatments can keep many of these problems under control.

Secondary symptoms follow the main problems of MS. For instance, not being able to empty your bladder can lead to a bladder infection.

Doctors can treat secondary symptoms, but the goal is to avoid them by treating the primary symptoms.

Tertiary symptoms are the social, psychological, and job-related problems of coping with MS. For instance, if MS makes it hard for you to walk or drive, you may not be able to do your job well. 

Because MS varies so much, it's best not to compare yourself with other people who have MS. Your experience is likely to be different. Most people learn to manage their symptoms and can keep leading full, active lives.