Symptoms Of Multiple Sclerosis

The symptoms of MS usually vary with each attack. They can last days or even months and then reduce or disappear, returning periodically. Fevers, hot baths, exposure to the sun and stress can all trigger or worsen and MS attacks. Symptoms usually appear between the ages of 20 to 35, and can be dramatic or hardly noticeable.

The Most Common Early Symptoms Of MS Include;

• Muscle weakness (tingling or numbness of muscles)
• Decreased co-ordination skills including balance
• Blurred vision accompanied by eye pain &
• Double vision

As Multiple Sclerosis Advances Other Symptoms Come To Light Like;

• weakness
• paralysis
• tremors
• muscle spasms
• muscular atrophy
• facial pain
• extremity pain
• loss of vision
• uncontrollable rapid eye movements
• decreased ability to control small or intricate movements
• walking/gait abnormalities
• dizziness
• vertigo
• urinary difficulties; urinary hesitancy, urinary urgency, urinary frequency, leakage of urine
• decreased memory
• decreased spontaneity
• decreased judgment
• loss of ability to think abstractly
• loss of ability to generalize
• depression
• decreased attention span
• slurred speech and/or understanding speech
• fatigue

Fatigue is the most common MS symptom and consists of muscle weakness, mental fatigue, sleepiness and/or drowsiness. Muscle spasms are also another common symptom that can be extremely debilitating. When muscle spasms occur, a person cannot move their muscles freely or easily.

This also leads to problems walking. Many people with MS also feel dizziness or lightheadedness, and experience vision problems such as blurriness or even blindness, although this is very rare. The impairment of thought process occurs in almost 50% of MS sufferers. This means slow thinking, decreased concentration and/or decreased memory.

Another common symptom is tremors, which are very difficult to treat.

All The Symptoms Of MS Can Be Divided Into 3 Categories;

primary, secondary and tertiary symptoms.

• Primary Symptoms are the direct result of demyelination, and include symptoms of weakness, tremors, tingling and numbness, loss of balance, vision impairment, paralysis, and bladder problems. Medication, rehabilitation, and other treatments can help keep these symptoms under control.
• Secondary Symptoms are the result from primary symptoms. For example, paralysis can lead to bedsores and bladder problems can cause frequent urinary tract infections. These symptoms are treatable but the aim should be to treat the primary symptoms before the secondary symptoms occur.
• Tertiary symptoms are the social, psychological, and vocational problems associated with the primary and secondary symptoms. E.g. depression is a common problem among people with MS.

These symptoms are caused by the demyelination that occurs in the brain or spinal cord area. With demyelination in the nerves, the sending of nerve impulses are delayed or blocked.