13 Early Signs & Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
Posted: August 20, 2015 at 5:51 pm
A Close Look at MS Symptoms
Multiple sclerosis(MS) is a disease with unpredictable symptoms that can vary in intensity. While some people experience fatigue and numbness, severe cases of MS can cause paralysis, visionloss, and diminishedbrainfunction.
MS affects an estimated 2.3 million people worldwide. Womenare affected more than twice as often as men, according to the National MS Society. Family history is also a major risk factor.
MS is a progressive autoimmune disorder. That means the system designed to keep your body healthy mistakenly attacks parts of your body that are vital to everyday function. The protective covering of nerve cells are damaged, which leads to diminished function in the brain and spinal column.
The cause of MS largely remains a mystery, even though the disease was discovered in 1868. Researchers know the nerve damage is caused by inflammation, but the cause of the inflammation is still unknown.
The most common early signs of MS arevision problems, clinically called optic neuritis. Inflammation affects the optic nerve and disrupts central vision. This can lead toblurred visionin one or both eyes, double vision, or loss of contrast or vivid colors.
You may not notice the vision problems immediately, as degeneration of clear vision can be slow. Pain when you look up or to one side also can accompany vision loss.
MS affects nerves in the brain and spinal column (the bodys message center). This means it can send conflicting signals around the body. Sometimes, no signals are sent. This results in the most common symptom:numbness.
Tingling sensations and numbness are the most common warning signs of MS. Common sites of numbness include the face, arms, legs, and fingers.
Chronic pain and involuntary muscle spasms are also common with MS. One study, according to the National MS Society, showed that half of people with MS had either clinically significant pain or chronic pain.
Muscle stiffness or spasms (spasticity) are also common. They involve feelings of stiff muscles or joints as well as uncontrollable, painful jerking movements of extremities. The legs are most often affected, but back pain is also common.
Unexplainedfatigueand weaknessaffect about 80 percent of people in the early stages of MS.
Chronic fatigue occurs when nerves deteriorate in the spinal column. Usually, the fatigue appears suddenly and lasts for weeks before improving. The weakness is most noticeable in the legs at first.
Dizzinessand problems with coordination and balance can decrease the mobility of someone with MS. Your doctor may refer to these as problems with yourgait.People with MS often feel lightheaded, dizzy, or feel as if their surroundings are spinning (vertigo). This symptom often occurs when a person stands up.
Adysfunctional bladderis another symptom occurring in up to 80 percent of people with MS. This can include urinating frequently, strong urges to urinate, or inability to hold in urine.
Urinary-related symptoms are often manageable. Less often, people with MS experience constipation, diarrhea, or loss of bowel control.
Sexual arousalcan also be a problem for people with MS because it begins in the central nervous system where MS attacks.
About half of people with MS will develop some kind of issue with their cognitive function. This can include:
Depression and other emotional health problems are also common.
Major depressionis common among people with MS. The stresses of MS can also cause irritability, mood swings, and a condition calledpseudobulbar affect: bouts of uncontrollable crying and laughing.
Coping with MS symptoms, along with relationship or family issues, can make depression and other emotional disorders even more challenging.
Not everyone with MS will have the same symptoms. Different symptoms can manifest themselves during attacks. Along with the symptoms mentioned on the previous slides, MS can also cause:
MS often astounds doctors because of how much it can vary in both its severity and the ways that it affects people. Attacks can last a few weeks and then disappear. However, relapses can get progressively worse, more unpredictable, and come with different symptoms.
However, early detection may help prevent MS from progressing quickly.
MS isnt necessarily hereditary. However, you have a higher chance of developing the disease if you have a close relative with MS, according to theNational MS Society.
The general population only has a tenth of a percent chance of developing MS. But theNational MS Societyreports that number jumps to 2.5 to 5 percent if you have a sibling or parent with MS.
Heredity isnt the only factor in determining MS. An identical twin only has a 25 percent chance of developing MS if their twin has the disease. While genetics is certainly a risk factor, its not the only one.
A doctor most likely a neurologist will perform several tests to diagnose MS, including:
Doctors use these tests to look for damage to the central nervous system in two separate areas that occurred at least one month apart. These tests are also used to rule out other conditions.
MS is a challenging disorder, but researchers have discovered many treatments that can slow its progression.
The best defense against MS is seeing your doctor immediately after you experience the first warning signs. This is especially important if someone in your immediate family has the disorder, as its one of the key risk factors for MS.
Don't hesitate. It could make all the difference.
See the original post here:
13 Early Signs & Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
- Stem Cell Treatment For MS Working Wonders - Video [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- Advancing Toward Multiple Sclerosis Therapies Using Stem Cells - Video [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2014]
- Stem cell treatment Multiple Sclerosis - Video [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2014]
- Multiple Sclerosis Treatment through Stem Cells - Video [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2014]
- New stem cells may help in battling multiple sclerosis [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2014]
- hES-MSC treat multiple sclerosis mouse - Video [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2014]
- Stem Cell Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis - Video [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2014]
- Stem Cell Treatment | Multiple Sclerosis | www.stemrx.in - Video [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2014]
- Stem Cell Research & Therapy Explained - From MS to Spinal Injury - Video [Last Updated On: November 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2014]
- Clinical Trials for MS and Rheumatoid Arthritis with Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells - Video [Last Updated On: November 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2014]
- Hunt after cure for MS disease [Last Updated On: December 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2014]
- Report on remission in patients with MS three years after stem cell transplant [Last Updated On: December 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 30th, 2014]
- Stopping Multiple Sclerosis with Stem Cell Transplants [Last Updated On: December 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 30th, 2014]
- Stem cell treatment for Multiple Sclerosis - Case study - Video [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2015] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2015]
- Researchers Reduce MS Disability With Stem Cells [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: January 21st, 2015]
- Multiple Sclerosis Stem Cell Treatment - Patient Testimonial - Video [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2015] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2015]
- New MS Treatment - Big Hope from Little Cells - Video [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2015] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2015]
- Stem cells reduce MS brain damage [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Stem Cell Transplants May Work Better than Existing Drug for Severe Multiple Sclerosis [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Woman swears by Multiple Sclerosis remedy [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2015]
- From chick to bedside: Removing the Wnt barrier [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2015]
- 21-year-old MS sufferer: 'I feel like my life is on hold' [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2015]
- Caldwell resident fighting battle with multiple sclerosis [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2015]
- Stemedix Patient Experience - Debra F. Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) - Video [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2015]
- Multiple sclerosis treatment on the cards for Ilfracombe mother [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2015]
- Experimental multiple sclerosis therapy stops disease in its tracks [Last Updated On: April 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2015]
- Stem Cell Treatment #5 for Multiple Sclerosis - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2015] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2015]
- Multiple Sclerosis. Medical information about MS | Patient [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2015]
- Multiple Sclerosis - Symptoms, Causes, Treatments [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2015]
- Multiple Sclerosis [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2015]
- Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatments and ... [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2015]
- Multiple sclerosis - Genetics Home Reference [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2015]
- Medical Xpress - multiple sclerosis [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2015]
- multiple sclerosis (MS) | pathology | Britannica.com [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2015]
- Multiple Sclerosis News Topix [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2015]
- Multiple sclerosis | University of Maryland Medical Center [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2015]
- Multiple Sclerosis - Lab Tests Online [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2015]
- Multiple Sclerosis, Causes, Tests, Diagnosis & Treatment [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2015]
- Multiple Sclerosis | Overview [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2015]
- Multiple Sclerosis Causes, Symptoms, Treatment - When to ... [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2015]
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Overview - HealthCommunities.com [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2015]
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Check Your Symptoms and Signs [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2015]
- All About Multiple Sclerosis : MS news and information on ... [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2015]
- Multiple Sclerosis | GreenMedInfo | Disease | Natural Medicine [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2015]
- Multiple Sclerosis - KidsHealth [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2015]
- Low Vitamin D Tied to Multiple Sclerosis [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2015]
- Multiple sclerosis - MedlinePlus [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2015]
- Multiple Sclerosis Pictures: MS Brain Lesions, Symptoms ... [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2015]
- Multiple sclerosis signs and symptoms - Wikipedia, the ... [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2015]
- Multiple Sclerosis News -- ScienceDaily [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2015]
- Multiple sclerosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: September 15th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 15th, 2015]
- Multiple Sclerosis - MidMichigan Health [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2015]
- Multiple Sclerosis | University of Michigan Health System [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2015]
- Buffalo NY Neurologist Doctors - Multiple Sclerosis (MS ... [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2015]
- Pittsburgh PA Neurologist Doctors - Multiple Sclerosis (MS ... [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2015]
- Most Common Multiple Sclerosis Treatments [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2018] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2018]