Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms …What Are They And How To Control Them
Multiple sclerosis symptoms are a result of the central nervous system attacking itself. Sclerosis which also means “scars” appear in different parts (multiple) of the brain and spinal cord. The central nervous system causes white blood cells to attack the myelin sheath. This is a layer of a fatty like substance that protects the nerves. This attack causes demyelination. Which basically causes the wrong messages to be sent to the body’s nervous system.
MS is a progressive disease that does so in 4 courses.
- Relapsing-remitting
- Primary progressive
- Secondary-progressive
- Primary-relapsing
As multiple sclerosis advances so do the symptoms. The severity of the symptoms can vary widely from person to person. It is also clear that the symptoms are unpredictable. They can happen at anytime anywhere. Depending on what course of the disease a person is currently in, will also determine how often they may occur and the severity.
MS symptoms can also be triggered when a person is under extreme stress or becomes overheated.
Just as the disease it self progresses through stages, the symptoms have levels of their own. Unlike the courses of multiple sclerosis, the different levels of symptoms can all occur at the same time.
Level 1
The Most Common Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms (First Course)
Fatigue
This probably one of the worst symptoms of MS. Patients can be severely fatigued. It begins to happen in the first stage RRMS. As MS progresses the fatigue becomes even worse and can be debilitating.
Vision
Due to the inflammation of the optic nerve, vision becomes blurred. Some patients also report having double vision. As the disease continues to progress, there will be vision loss but complete blindness is rare.
Muscle Weakness
About 40% of patients will have to endure painful muscle spasms. They will also have difficulty walking and will feel heaviness in their legs.
Balance
Many will have problems maintaining their balance and will have an obvious unsteady gait. Plus tremors will also make it difficult to walk or even handle smaller objects.
Numbness And Tingling
Numbness affects the face and at times the entire body. It is also typically the first symptom a person experiences before being diagnosed. Feelings of intense cold and heat is also common.
Lesions or scars found in the cervical spine of the neck can cause tingling or buzzing like feeling down the back and legs.
Other Common Symptoms (Later Stages)
- Bladder and bowel dysfunction
- Sexual Dysfunction
- Cognitive Dysfunction
- Emotional Changes
- Depression
- Vertigo
- Pain
Other symptoms less common include:
- Itching
- Seizures
- Hearing problems or loss
- Headache
- Speech Disorders
- Swallowing Problems
- Headache
Level 2 Symptoms
The multiple sclerosis symptoms associated with this level are the result of symptoms from level 1. Here’s an example, if a patient loses his or her ability to walk and move about they can develop pressure sores. Depression that is not treated with therapy or medication can result in suicide.
Level 3 Symptoms
These are the symptoms that are caused due to the problems of MS. For instance, if a person was working a full-time job when they were diagnosed but because their physical symptoms cause severe fatigue and interfere with their ability to focus and concentrate. They may have to reduce their hours or may have to leave their place of employment permanently.
Some MS patients may feel too embarrass to go out in public if they have tremors, or bladder control issues. This may cause them to stop spending time with people and eventually causes their quality of life to diminish.
Although there is presently no cure for MS, there are medications that have been highly successful with controlling the symptoms. In addition to the use of drugs, some patients find that changes in diet, physical therapy, massage therapy and even Yoga, help them manage their symptoms.
More specific treatment address the inflammation of the central nervous system with drugs called corticosteroids. These drugs reduce the inflammation to help control flare up or attacks. Various medications can be given orally,by injection or IV (intravenously).
The key to controlling symptoms is early diagnosis. The sooner a person is diagnosed treatment can begin and steps can be taken to slow the progression of MS.
Taking advantage of a combination of methods could also be the solution to controlling more severe multiple sclerosis symptoms.