Multiple Sclerosis is a troubling and unpredictable disease that affects nearly 3 million people worldwide. Symptoms can range from mild to severe as the chronic autoimmune disease can affect everyone differently. Here we’ll cover some of the most common symptoms that MS patients experience.
What is it?
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that affects the central nervous system. In MS patients, the myelin is the first to go. The myelin, for those who don’t know, is the protective fatty tissue that surrounds the nerves. As the myelin is destroyed, it is replaced with scar tissue called sclerosis.
The scar tissue in MS patients can be viewed on an MRI as lesions. These lesions ultimately indicated damage to the central nervous system, which in turn affects the nerve's ability to conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain, causing a number of symptoms that can lead to loss of vision and mobility.
Symptoms
The first symptoms are often mild and may not have a significant affect on your way of life but they can worsen over time. Some of the most common symptoms that MS patients experience are as follows:
- Vision Loss
- Pain
- Loss of Mobility
Vision Loss: The first symptoms of MS often produce some degree of vision loss. This may not be the complete loss of vision, but the changes in vision may be troubling, nonetheless. Some patients experience blurred or double vision. Commonly, MS patients may develop some degree of color blindness as well. Complete vision loss or pain may also occur in cases where the optic nerve becomes swollen.
Pain: In addition to pain that may occur to the optic nerve, individuals affected by MS may also experience discomfort or pain as a result of their conditions. As the nerves are damaged by the body’s own immune system, this can manifest as sensations of pain, or numbness and tingling. Often patients will note sensations of pins and needles – called paresthesia.
Mobility: Mobility may become affected in patients with MS. Many experience difficulty in walking, which may be occasional and worsen over time. Muscle weakness can develop in the arms and legs, as the limbs are all connected to the central nervous system. Even standing can be difficult. Some may even develop complete or partial paralysis.
Progressive and Relapsing Symptoms
Of course, given that multiple sclerosis is a complicated condition, vision loss pain and mobility issues are just some of the symptoms that can affect patients. As relapses occur or the disease progresses, more symptoms may develop. Here are some other common symptoms related to MS:
- Involuntary muscle spasms
- Coordination difficulty and dizziness
- Fatigue
- Hearing loss
- Changes in libido
- Hearing loss
- Speech difficulty
- Bladder problems
- Depression
On top of those symptoms, MS patients may notice gradual changes in their cognitive abilities. Those with MS may have poor concentration and attention. They may also have problems with poor judgement and even memory loss.
There are no specific tests available to determine multiple sclerosis. However, a healthcare professional may determine multiple sclerosis as the cause of specific symptoms after they have ruled out other possibilities. Your doctor will inquire about recurring attacks that are at least one month apart, and will go over your medical history.
Looking for damaged areas of the central nervous system, an MRI, spinal fluid analysis and blood test may be some of the tests used to evaluate you. It is also common to conduct a compete neurological exam, testing your motor, emotional, language function, and five senses, among other things.
Treatment
Fortunately, if you are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, there is treatment available. While MS cannot be cured, treatment options can slow down the progression of the disease or manage symptoms. These are some of the treatments available:
Corticosteroids: Oral medications like prednisone and the intravenous solution methylprednisolone are effective corticosteroids that can reduce inflammation for relapsing MS.
Injectables: There are also injectable medications called interferon beta medications, and Glatiramer acetate, which can slow the progression of the disease. Monoclonal antibodies can target specific cells (B Cells) responsible for damaging nerves.
Oral medications: Some oral medicines, such as Teriflunomide and Dimethyl fumarate, can reduce the rate of relapses. However, some of these medications come with some severe side effects but ultimately it will be up to you and your doctor to determine the cost-benefit.
Infusions may also be used to reduce relapse rate while also working to lower your risk of disability. Infusions are especially considered in cases of severe multiple sclerosis.
If you think you may be suffering from symptoms of multiple sclerosis, talk to your doctor. Although there is no cure for MS, your doctor may be able to find the right treatment for you, potentially slowing the progression of the disease, preventing relapses and even disability.
