Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a neurological condition that doesn’t affect any two people the same. Many people don’t know they have had it for years, as the symptoms may be subtle. However, it’s a degenerative disorder that can cause a myriad of problems that will eventually leave most incapacitated. There are treatment options that can manage the symptoms though there is no cure. Here are some of the early warning signs of MS:
1. Visual Problems
One of the first symptoms that typically appear with MS is vision problems. Inflammation of the optic nerve is known as optic neuritis, and it’s an indication that doctors need to investigate further, as it’s a hallmark of this disease. Any decreased vision, blindness, blurring in the visual field, and graying should be immediately evaluated. Statistics show that over 55 percent of people with MS will experience optic neuritis at some point in the disease.
2. Numbness and tingling
Since the spinal cord and nerves are affected by MS, paresthesia is a common problem. People with tingling, numbness, burning, and prickling feelings in their skin have nerve damage. Understandably, nerve damage can occur from numerous things, but MS is questioned when these sensations are constant or intermittent in the hands, arms, feet, and legs. During an MS flare, a person may be prone to clumsiness when paresthesia is present, causing tingling and numbness that makes walking and normal daily functioning challenging.
3. Pains and spasms
It’s estimated that more than two-thirds of people with multiple sclerosis have pain as one of their main symptoms. Since there’s nerve damage, spasms are commonplace. Extremity pain can range from mild to severe, and aspirin does not affect this discomfort as it’s nerve based.
4. Weakness and fatigue
More than 80 percent of people with MS struggle with fatigue, which can affect the quality of life. Things that aggravate this condition include stress, heat, high humidity, and having a flair. Those with MS often notice that weakness or fatigue worsens as the days go on, unlike normal fatigue, as the person cannot function.
5. Balance issues and dizziness
MS causes brain and spinal cord lesions that cause balance problems or dizziness. Equilibrium disturbances are commonplace depending on where the lesions have formed. Having issues like vertigo, balance disorders, and general dizziness is not uncommon among those suffering from MS, and it can be debilitating.
6. Bladder problems
Around 80 percent of people with MS have bladder dysfunction. The lesions caused by MS can block the signals the nerves send to the CNS, which can cause sphincters in the urinary tract resulting in bladder issues. The sphincters cause the bladder to become overactive and unable to hold a typical amount of urine.
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, progressive, and usually disabling disease of the nervous system. It is characterized by unpredictable and often disabling symptoms. Though there’s no cure for MS, the symptoms can be treated. Paying attention to these early warning signs can help get the proper treatment and improve quality of life.
