Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
SOURCE: www.NationalMSSociety.org
and Many Other Sites
We have MS, but MS does not
have US.
(Remember that!)
Note:
Most Common Symptoms
Some symptoms of MS are much more common than others.
Bladder Dysfunction
Bladder dysfunction, which occurs in at least 80% of people with MS,
usually can be managed quite successfully
Learn more about Bladder Dysfunction
Bowel Dysfunction
Constipation is a particular concern among people living with MS, as is
loss of control of the bowels. Diarrhea and other problems of the
stomach and bowels also can occur.
Learn more about Bowel Dysfunction
Cognitive Function
Cognition refers to a range of high-level brain functions, including the
ability to learn and remember information: organize, plan, and
problem-solve; focus, maintain, and shift attention as necessary;
understand and use language; accurately perceive the environment, and
perform calculations. Cognitive changes are common in people with
MS—approximately 50% of people with MS will develop problems with
cognition.
Learn more about Cognitive Function
Depression
Depression is common during the course of multiple sclerosis. In
fact, studies have suggested that clinical depression, the severest form
of depression, is more frequent among people with MS than it is in the
general population or in persons with other chronic, disabling
conditions.
Learn more about Depression
Dizziness and Vertigo
Dizziness is a common symptom of MS. People with MS may feel off balance
or lightheaded. Much less often, they have the sensation that they or
their surroundings are spinning, a condition known as vertigo.
Learn more about
Dizziness and Vertigo
Emotional Changes
Emotional changes are very common in MS—as a reaction to the
stresses of living with a chronic, unpredictable illness and because of
neurologic and immune changes caused by the disease. Bouts of severe
depression (which is different from the healthy grieving that needs to
occur in the face of losses and changes caused by MS), mood swings,
irritability, and episodes of uncontrollable laughing and crying (called
pseudobulbar affect) pose significant challenges for people with MS and
their family members.
Learn more about Emotional
Changes
Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of MS, occurring in about 80%
of people. Fatigue can significantly interfere with a person's ability
to function at home and at work, and may be the most prominent symptom
in a person who otherwise has minimal activity limitations.
Learn more about Fatigue
Numbness
Numbness of the face, body, or extremities (arms and legs) is one of
the most common symptoms of MS, and is often the first symptom
experienced by those eventually diagnosed as having MS.
Learn more about Numbness
Pain
Pain syndromes are common in MS. In one study, 55% of people with MS had
"clinically significant pain" at some time. Almost half were troubled by
chronic pain.
Learn more about Pain
Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual problems are often experienced by people with MS, but they are
very common in the general population as well. Sexual arousal begins in
the central nervous system, as the brain sends messages to the sexual
organs along nerves running through the spinal cord. If MS damages these
nerve pathways, sexual response—including arousal and orgasm—can be
directly affected. Sexual problems also stem from MS symptoms such as
fatigue or spasticity, as well as from psychological factors relating to
self-esteem and mood changes.
Learn more about Sexual
Dysfunction
Spasticity
Spasticity refers to feelings of stiffness and a wide range of
involuntary muscle spasms (sustained muscle contractions or sudden
movements). It is one of the more common symptoms of MS. Spasticity may
be as mild as the feeling of tightness of muscles or may be so severe as
to produce painful, uncontrollable spasms of extremities, usually of the
legs. Spasticity may also produce feelings of pain or tightness in and
around joints, and can cause low back pain. Although spasticity can
occur in any limb, it is much more common in the legs.
Learn more about Spasticity
Vision Problems
A vision problem is the first symptom of MS for many people. The sudden
onset of double vision, poor contrast, eye pain, or heavy blurring is
frankly terrifying-and the knowledge that vision may be compromised can
make people with MS anxious about the future.
Learn more about Vision
Problems
Walking (Gait), Balance, & Coordination Problems
Problems with gait (difficulty in walking) are among the most common
mobility limitations in MS. Gait problems are related to several
factors.
Learn more about Gait Problems
Less Common Symptoms
These symptoms also occur in MS, but much less frequently.
Headache
Although headache is not a common symptom of MS, some reports
suggest that people with MS have an increased incidence of certain types
of headache.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is an uncommon symptom of MS. About 6% of people who
have MS complain of impaired hearing. In very rare cases, hearing loss
has been reported as the first symptom of the disease. Deafness due to
MS is exceedingly rare, and most acute episodes of hearing deficit
caused by MS tend to improve.
Itching
Pruritis (itching) may occur as a symptom of MS. It is one of the
family of abnormal sensations—such as "pins and needles" and burning,
stabbing, or tearing pains—which may be experienced by people with MS.
These sensations are known as dysesthesias, and they are neurologic in
origin.
Respiration / Breathing Problems
Respiration problems occur in people whose chest muscles have been
severely weakened by damage to the nerves that control those muscles.
Aspiration pneumonia (resulting from the food particles and/or liquids
passing into the lungs) can also make breathing more difficult.
Breathing problems, which can contribute to MS-related fatigue and
interfere with speech and voice production, should be evaluated and
treated by nurses or rehabilitation professionals with expertise in
respiratory problems.
Seizures
Seizures, which are the result of abnormal electrical discharges in
an injured or scarred area of the brain, are fairly uncommon among
people with MS. Their incidence has been estimated at 2% to 5%, compared
to the estimated 3% incidence of seizures in the general population.
Speech Disorders
Speech and voice problems occur in approximately 25-40 percent of
people with MS, particularly during relapses or periods of extreme
fatigue. The problems are of two types—dysarthria refers to changes in
the production of speech, including slurring, unclear articulation of
words, and difficulty controlling loudness; dysphonia is the term used
for changes in voice quality, including hoarseness, breathiness,
nasality, poor control of pitch.
Swallowing Problems
Swallowing problems—referred to as dysphagia—result from damage to
the nerves controlling the many small muscles in the mouth and throat.
When dysphagia occurs, food and liquids can pass into the airway and
lungs, causing the person to cough and choke. Because particles that
remain in the lungs can cause aspiration pneumonia—a serious
complication of MS—prompt evaluation and treatment by a speech/language
pathologist are essential.
Tremor
Many people with MS experience some degree of tremor, or
uncontrollable shaking. It can occur in various parts of the body.
Other Symptoms from Many Sites
Numbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur in your body, but are often felt in your hands, feet, arms, or legs.
The vast nervous system includes many sensory nerve fibers
dedicated to helping you be aware of your environment. They
provide the sense of touch in your fingers, and your ability
to feel cold or heat on all parts of your body.
Pins-and-Needles" (Paresthesia), Tingling, Numbness,
Itching, or a Burning Feeling (Dysesthesia) in different
parts of the body, and indefinable sensations.
Those were from the
National Multiple Sclerosis Society website.
Below are ones from many
different websites.
Hold your mouse over a symptom
and get a short explanation.
(IF IT HAS A
LINK)
Buzzing sensations in the head.
Clumsiness - you know what that is...lol
Concentration is slowed, but rarely totally lost.
Decreased ability to control small movements
Detrusor Sphincter Dyssynergia - explanation of Bladder neck muscle finally relaxes so urination occurs
Judgement and/or Reasoning Skills are/is slowed, but rarely totally lost
L'hermitte's sign - electric shock-like sensation in neck and back
Movement Problems - slowly progressive; beginning in the legs
Muscle Spasticity - uncontrollable spasm of muscle groups
Numbness/Tingling or any different feeling any where on the body
Nystagmus or Uncontrollable rapid eye movements
Pain - in the arms or legs
Paraesthesia - in one or more arms or legs
Weakness - in one or more arms or legs
|
