Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Symptoms
The multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms vary from person to person and generally appear between the ages 20 to 40. The multiple sclerosis symptoms depend upon the parts of the nervous system damaged. In early stages of the disease the multiple sclerosis symptoms may be so mild that the individual may not even notice them.
Some of the Early Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis that are seen in early stages include:
- Vision problems
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of balance
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Bladder problems
In some people the disease may start with a single multiple sclerosis symptom, and may continue for months or years without any further progression. In some people the multiple sclerosis symptoms may occur only once and go away without returning. But in some people with the progression of disease, more multiple sclerosis symptoms are visible, which can be severe.
Therefore it is necessary for you to know all the possible multiple sclerosis symptoms. For some people only few of these multiple sclerosis symptoms may appear and other symptoms may not appear. So if you experience any one or combination of the following multiple sclerosis symptoms you should have a multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
Signs and Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis include:
Impaired Thinking
About fifty percent of the people with multiple sclerosis experience this multiple sclerosis symptom. The have problems with thinking like decreased memory, loss of concentration or slowed thinking. And about ten percent of the people can't even carry out their daily tasks.
Eye Problems
Nearly half of the people with multiple sclerosis experience problems related to vision like blurred vision, double vision, and loss of vision. These eye problems may affect only one eye and not lead to blindness.
Fatigue
Fatigue, which was experienced only at afternoon in early stages, is experienced through out the day in later stages. It may consist of tiredness, sleepiness, drowsiness or mental fatigue.
Dizziness
Most of the people with multiple sclerosis often feel light headed. They may feel as if the world is spinning around them. This multiple sclerosis symptom is caused due to the damage caused in the complex nerve pathways that are responsible for coordinating vision and maintaining balance.
Speaking and Swallowing Problems
Many people with multiple sclerosis have difficulty in swallowing food. Some even have speaking problems. These multiple sclerosis problems are caused due to damage in the nerves that help in carrying out these tasks.
Tingling, Numbness or other Abnormal Sensations
Most of the people with multiple sclerosis experience the symptoms like pins-and-needles sensation, burning, itching, stabbing and numbness in the limbs. These multiple sclerosis symptoms are not life threatening and can be treated.
Walking Problems
Difficulty in walking is one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Walking problems may be caused due to loss of balance or due to the numbness in the limbs.
Muscle Weakness
Muscle weakness or muscle spasm is also a common multiple sclerosis symptom. Due to these symptoms you may not be able to move your muscles freely.
Other than these multiple sclerosis symptoms you may also experience bladder or bowel problems, heat sensitivity, tremors and Lhermitte's Sign (a shooting pain in the back and limbs).