MS is a difficult disease, but researchers have found several treatments that can slow its progression and control its symptoms.
What is multiple sclerosis (MS)? Is this multiple sclerosis? What are the symptoms of MS?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive autoimmune disorder. This means that systems designed to maintain good health mistakenly attack harmless parts of the body. The protective layer of nerve cells is damaged, leading to impaired function of the brain and spinal cord.
MS is a disease with unpredictable symptoms and their severity may vary. Although some people experience fatigue and numbness, severe MS can lead to paralysis, vision loss, and decreased brain function.
MS is a lifelong disease, but it can be managed, and researchers are looking for more effective treatments.
EARLY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MS
COMMON EARLY SIGNS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS) INCLUDE:
- vision problems
- tingling and numbness
- pain and cramps
- weakness or fatigue
- balance problems or dizziness
- bladder problems
- sexual dysfunction
- cognitive problems
For some people, early signs of MS may include clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), a neurological symptom that lasts for at least 24 hours and is not associated with other causes. It involves so-called demyelination, which is damage to the myelin sheath, a protective coating that helps protect nerve cells in the central nervous system.
Although CIS does not necessarily cause MS, it can be an early sign. Symptoms of a CIS episode may include:
- optic neuritis. this is damage to the myelin sheath of the optic nerve and can lead to vision problems and eye pain.
- lehrmitt's logo. this condition is caused by demyelinating lesions on the spinal cord that cause a tingling or vibration sensation in the back and neck, especially when you bend your neck.
- Transverse myelitis. Transverse myelitis is when the spinal cord is affected and can lead to muscle weakness, numbness, and other problems.
An MRI can sometimes help determine if there is only CIS or multiple episodes that have occurred once, which may indicate a useful tool for MS.
COMMON MS SYMPTOMS
THE MAIN SYMPTOM OF MS STEMS FROM DAMAGE TO THE MYELIN SHEATH OF THE PROTECTIVE NERVE COVER. YOUR DOCTOR CAN HELP YOU MANAGE THESE SYMPTOMS WITH MEDICATION, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, AND PHYSICAL THERAPY.
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE MORE COMMON MS SYMPTOMS:
vision problems
VISUAL PROBLEMS ARE ONE OF THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS OF MS. INFLAMMATION AFFECTS THE OPTIC NERVE AND DESTROYS VISION. THIS CAN LEAD TO BLURRED VISION OR VISION LOSS. SOMETIMES CRANIAL NERVES OR BRAINSTEM MAY BE INVOLVED, CAUSING EYE MOVEMENT PROBLEMS OR DIPLOPIA. THE FOLLOWING ARE THREE COMMON VISUAL SYMPTOMS OF MS:
- optic neuritis – inflammation of the optic nerve
- nystagmus – unstable eye movements, sometimes referred to as "dancing eyes"
- diplopia – diplopia
You may not notice vision problems right away. In the case of optic neuritis, pain is also accompanied by decreased vision when looking up or to one side. There are several ways to deal with vision changes associated with MS.
Tingling and numbness
MS affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord (the body's information center). Sensory nerves in the spinal cord are affected by demyelination, which can impair the sensation when you touch something, which can affect your ability to walk or do things with your hands. You may also have paresthesias (sensations such as numbness, tingling, or burning).
Tingling and numbness are among the most common warning signs of MS. Common areas of numbness include the face, arms, legs, and fingers.
Pain and cramps
Chronic pain and involuntary muscle spasms are also common in MS. Pain may be a direct result of demyelination or secondary pain caused by the symptoms themselves.
Types of MS pain may include neuropathic pain. This acute pain is caused by nerves that transmit signals to the brain. Examples include:
- trigeminal neuralgia
- limit features
- "MS HUG"
- paroxysmal spasms
MS CAN ALSO CAUSE CHRONIC NEUROPATHIC PAIN, WHICH CAN ALSO BE EXPERIENCED ON A MORE SUSTAINED BASIS. THIS MAY INCLUDE SLUGGISHNESS (SENSATIONS OF PAIN IN THE EXTREMITIES) OR ITCHING, CAUSING ITCHING, TINGLING, AND SIMILAR SENSATIONS.
muscle stiffness or spasms (spasms) are also common. you may feel stiff muscles or joints, as well as uncontrollable, painful twitching movements of your limbs. the legs are most often affected, but back pain is also common.
TYPES OF SPASMS ASSOCIATED WITH MS INCLUDE FLEXOR SPASMS, WHERE MUSCLES BECOME SO TENSE THAT THEY BEND WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO STRAIGHTEN, AND EXTENSOR SPASMS, WHERE MUSCLES HAVE THE OPPOSITE PROBLEM — THEY ARE SO TIGHT THAT THE ARMS OR LEGS BECOME STRAIGHT AND UNABLE TO BEND.
movement problems can also lead to slurred speech and difficulty swallowing, especially later in the disease.
Fatigue and weakness
UNEXPLAINED FATIGUE AND WEAKNESS AFFECT MANY PATIENTS WITH MS. FATIGUE IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE NUMBER OF LESIONS AND INFLAMMATION IN THE BRAIN. MUSCLE ATROPHY (MUSCLE ATROPHY DUE TO LACK OF USE) OR DEMYELINATING OF NERVES CAN LEAD TO WEAKNESS.
chronic fatigue occurs when the nerves in the spine deteriorate. usually, fatigue appears suddenly and lasts for weeks before getting better. at first, the weakness of the legs is most pronounced.
PATIENTS WITH MS MAY PRESENT WITH INTERMITTENT FATIGUE, RECURRENT FATIGUE, OR PERSISTENT CHRONIC FATIGUE. SOMETIMES, THE CHANCES OF A SEPARATE DIAGNOSIS OF CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME IN PATIENTS WITH MS INCREASE.
Balance problems and dizziness
DIZZINESS AND COORDINATION AND BALANCE PROBLEMS CAN REDUCE MOBILITY IN MS PATIENTS. THIS CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH YOUR GAIT. PATIENTS WITH MS OFTEN FEEL DIZZY, OR THEIR SURROUNDINGS SEEM TO BE SPINNING (VERTIGO). THIS SYMPTOM OFTEN OCCURS WHEN STANDING.
Bladder and intestinal dysfunction
bladder dysfunction is another common symptom. this can include:
- frequent urination
- strong urge to urinate
- inability to hold back urine
- inability to urinate (bladder retention)
SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH URINARY PRODUCTION ARE USUALLY MANAGEABLE. PATIENTS WITH MS ARE LESS LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE CONSTIPATION, DIARRHEA, OR UNCONTROLLED BOWEL MOVEMENTS.
Sexual dysfunction
SEXUAL AROUSAL AND FUNCTION CAN ALSO BE A PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE WITH MS, AS IT BEGINS IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, WHERE MS ATTACKS. IT CAN STEM FROM PHYSICAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS FATIGUE, CRAMPS, OR SECONDARY EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS.
Cognitive problems
MANY PEOPLE WITH MS EXPERIENCE SOME SORT OF COGNITIVE PROBLEM FUNCTION. THIS CAN INCLUDE:
- memory problems
- shorten your concentration
- the troubles are concentrated
- it is difficult to stay organized
- depression and other emotional health problems are also common.
changes in emotional well-being
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER IS COMMON IN PATIENTS WITH MS. THE STRESS OF MS CAN ALSO LEAD TO IRRITABILITY, MOOD SWINGS, AND, RARELY, A CONDITION CALLED PSEUDO-BULBAR EFFECTS. THIS INCLUDES UNCONTROLLABLE CRYING AND LAUGHTER.
COPING WITH MS SYMPTOMS AND RELATIONSHIP OR FAMILY ISSUES CAN MAKE DEPRESSION AND OTHER MOOD DISORDERS MORE CHALLENGING. THE MS SUPPORT GROUP CAN HELP ADDRESS THESE CHANGES.
LESS COMMON MS SYMPTOMS
NOT ALL PATIENTS WITH MS EXPERIENCE THE SAME SYMPTOMS. DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS APPEAR DURING A RELAPSE OR EPISODE. IN ADDITION TO THE SYMPTOMS MENTIONED IN THE PREVIOUS SLIDES, MS CAN CAUSE:
- hearing loss
- seizures
- uncontrollable trembling or trembling
- breathing problems
- loss of sense of taste
SECONDARY SYMPTOMS OF MS
SECONDARY SYMPTOMS OF MS ARE NOT CAUSED BY THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF MS SYMPTOMS (DEMYELINATING). THEY ARE ACTUALLY COMPLICATIONS CAUSED BY THE BODY'S RESPONSE TO IT. MANY DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS MAY OCCUR, SUCH AS MUSCLE WEAKNESS DUE TO LACK OF USE AND INCREASED STRESS, AND MOOD PROBLEMS.
YOUR DOCTOR CAN HELP YOU RELIEVE EXISTING SYMPTOMS AND PREVENT THEM FROM OCCURRING BY ADDRESSING THE MAIN SYMPTOMS OF MS.
FEMALE MS SYMPTOMS
sex and gender exist in the spectrum. the terms "male", "female", or both will be used herein to refer to the gender specified at birth.
In general, MS is much more common; There are generally more credible sources of women than men. The causes are still being studied but may include genetically credible sources and environmental factors.
PEOPLE CONSIDERING PREGNANCY WITH AN MS DIAGNOSIS SHOULD DISCUSS ALL OPTIONS FOR TREATMENT AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT WITH THEIR DOCTOR.
SYMPTOMS OF MS IN MEN
The diagnosis rate of MS in men is lower than that in women, with a ratio of 3 to 1 from trusted sources. This has been particularly evident over the past 30 years as the gap has widened. This can be due to many problems, such as access to health care, childbirth, and lifestyle factors. A possible source of vitamin D deficiency is also being studied.
MS seems to progress faster Trusted Sources In some types of MS, there are more men than women, such as recurrent MS.
MS SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN VERSUS MEN
| MORE COMMON EXPERIENCE IN MS WOMEN MORE | MORE COMMON EXPERIENCE IN MS MEN |
| Diagnosis of MS is more common in women than in men. Vitamin D deficiency may be a potential source of credible sources for higher rates in women. | men seem to have more neurodegeneration, or loss of nerve function, than women. |
| Secondary progressive MS and relapsing-remitting MS tend to be more common in women than in men. | THE NUMBER OF MEN AND WOMEN DIAGNOSED WITH PRIMARY PROGRESSIVE MS IS ROUGHLY EQUAL. |
| WOMEN TEND TO HAVE MORE MS LESIONS OR SCAR TISSUE. | men tend to have more sources of credibility for cognitive problems in later stages, although sometimes perform better on attention tasks. |
| pregnancy is associated with a temporary reduction in the risk of recurrence, but some treatments may not be recommended by trusted sources during pregnancy. | |
| MENOPAUSE TENDS TO REDUCE GENDER-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN LATER MS DIAGNOSES. |
Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
DOCTORS (MOST LIKELY NEUROLOGISTS) PERFORM SEVERAL TESTS TO DIAGNOSE MS, INCLUDING:
- neurologic examination: your doctor will check for impaired brain or spine function.
- eye exams: this is a series of tests designed to assess your vision.
- MRI: This is a technique that uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of the brain and spinal cord.
- spinal puncture: also known as a lumbar puncture, this test involves inserting a long needle into your spine to remove a sample of fluid circulating around your brain and spinal cord.
doctors use these tests to look for demyelinating of the central nervous system that affects at least two separate areas. they must also determine that there is at least 1 month between the two episodes. these tests are also used to rule out other situations.
MS OFTEN SHOCKS DOCTORS BECAUSE OF ITS SEVERITY AND THE WAY IT AFFECTS PEOPLE VERY DIFFERENTLY. THE ATTACK LASTS FOR WEEKS AND THEN DISAPPEARS. BUT RECURRENCE MAY GRADUALLY WORSEN, BECOME MORE UNPREDICTABLE, AND BE ACCOMPANIED BY DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS. EARLY DETECTION MAY HELP PREVENT RAPID THE PROGRESSION OF MS.
Misdiagnosis
It is also possible to misdiagnose. An earlier study in 2012 found that nearly 75% of MS specialists surveyed had seen at least three misdiagnosed patients in the past 12 months.
When to talk to your doctor
MS IS A CHALLENGING DISEASE, BUT RESEARCHERS HAVE FOUND SEVERAL TREATMENTS THAT CAN SLOW ITS PROGRESSION AND CONTROL SYMPTOMS.
THE BEST DEFENSE AGAINST MS IS TO SEE A DOCTOR AS SOON AS YOU SHOW YOUR FIRST WARNING SIGN. THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IF YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE THIS DISORDER, AS THIS CAN BE ONE OF THE MAIN RISK FACTORS FOR MS.
don't hesitate. it can make all the difference.