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. |
