Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a prevalent illness that can be described as a neurological condition affecting individuals between the ages of 20-40 years. The immune system of MS patients malfunctions and attacks Myelin (a protective layer that covers nerve fibers) in their central nervous system.

This chronic illness affects every patient differently. A minor percentage of MS patients have milder systems with minimal to no signs of disability. In contrast, others may have more severe symptoms that worsen over time and cause serious disabilities. [¹]

Types of Multiple Sclerosis

Scientists have divided multiple sclerosis into the following four types:

Clinically isolated syndrome: CIS is the initial episode of neurological symptoms that occur due to demyelination and inflammation of the nervous system. This episode should last at least 24 hours or more and must not be connected to infection, fever, or another illness.
Relapsing-remitting MS: Individuals with RRMS experience clearly defined phases of progressively worsening neurological symptoms. Medical health professionals also categorize these attacks as exacerbations or relapses. These attacks are also accompanied by periods of complete or partial improvement.
Primary-progressive MS: Individuals with PPMS may experience increased disability or worsening of neurological functions immediately after the onset of symptoms, without any remissions or early relapses. Although this is a progressive type of MS, there may be variations in the progression rate depending on patient to patient.
Secondary-progressive MS: SPMS may begin with a phase of relapse-remitting activity, followed by recovery phases. However, MS impairments do not fade between cycles. Instead, some patients may see a persistent worsening of their MS afterward. [²]

How is Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosed?

Medical practitioners do not solely rely on one single test to diagnose multiple sclerosis. Instead, they examine patients' symptoms and run different tests to rule out the disease. They also study a patient's medical history and conduct physical and neurological examinations. Some tests that a doctor may recommend if they suspect a patient has MS include: [³]

Lumbar puncture: Also referred to as a spinal tap, a lumbar puncture test involves medical health professionals taking samples of your cerebrospinal fluid to test it for inflammatory cells and proteins associated with multiple sclerosis.
MRI scan: An MRI scan allows doctors to get a clear picture of your spinal cord and brain and look for characteristics linked to MS.
Evoked potential tests: These tests help doctors measure the function of your nervous system. They involve a medical health professional sending electric signals through your skin to determine how accurately and quickly your central nervous system will respond to them.

Multiple Sclerosis Staging

Multiple sclerosis is a progressive illness. It is divided into four stages: initial (diagnosis), Early (minor disability), Later (moderate disability), and advanced (severe disability). Each stage of MS comes with its management challenges.

Patients in stages 1 and 2 of MS may be able to manage the disease through self-management and minor intervention from medical health professionals. However, stage 3 and 4 patients may require significant assistance from healthcare providers.

Is Multiple Sclerosis Hereditary?

MS is not a hereditary illness. Hence, it is not directly passed down from one generation to the next. However, having an immediate family member with MS may increase your risk of developing the illness due to inherited genetic risk factors. [⁴]

Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

MS symptoms can vary from patient to patient, depending on the area of the central nervous system that has been affected. Symptoms can be minor or severe and last a few days, months, or even a person's entire lifespan. Detecting MS symptoms early on can help patients receive treatment and slow down the damage. Early diagnosis and treatment can also supplement a patient's long-term health and well-being.

What Are the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?

Some symptoms that an individual with MS may experience include [⁵]:

Double or blurred vision.
Trouble walking.
Unusual feelings of pain, numbness, pins and needles, and prickling.
Muscle weakness, specifically in the legs and arms.
Difficulty speaking.
Hearing loss.
Coordination troubles. Difficulty walking or standing or partial or complete paralysis.
Fatigue after physical activity.
Loss of vision accompanied by a swollen optic nerve.
Emotional changes.
Depression.
Tremor. Uncontrollable shaking or trembling movement.
Loss of sensation.
Bladder issues.
Hearing loss
Spasticity. Spasms and stiffness brought on by muscle stiffness or tone.

According to studies, approximately 50% of MS patients experience cognitive issues, including [⁶]:

Difficulty paying attention to day-to-day tasks
Concentration issues
Poor judgement
Memory loss

What Are Some Signs of Multiple Sclerosis?

Early signs of multiple sclerosis include [⁶]:

Dizziness and loss of balance: Individuals in the early stages of MS might have difficulty maintaining their balance or feel they must move more carefully to avoid losing their balance.
Pain: MS patients may experience pain due to the nerve damage brought on by the condition. It may manifest in different ways, from muscle spasms and stiffness to tightness in the chest.
Bowel: According to studies, approximately 7 in 10 individuals with MS will develop bowel issues like leakage or constipation.
Vision problems: Vision trouble is one of the most prevalent symptoms in MS patients. Some patients may experience eye movement issues such as twitching.
MS Hug: MS hug is described as a squeezing sensation around the torso that feels almost comparable to a blood pressure band when tightened. MS hug may be an early symptom of relapse in multiple sclerosis.
Alteration in sexual function: Individuals affected by multiple sclerosis may also experience changes in their sexual function due to damage to the nervous system. This sign can also be directly linked to other MS symptoms like spasticity, fatigue, and psychological factors.

Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis in Women vs. Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis in Men

Both males and females with multiple sclerosis may experience similar symptoms. However, the progression and severity of the disease may vary between both sexes. According to the findings of a study, men are more likely to speak to medical health professionals about their MS symptoms much later on when they have worsened. A delayed diagnosis can result in detrimental health outcomes. [⁷]

1 Note that here, we are using the terms ‘men’ and ‘women’ to refer to male and female biological sex at birth, respectively.

Risk Factors for Multiple Sclerosis

Some common risk factors of multiple sclerosis include [⁸] [⁹]:

Genetics
Sex
Ethnicity
Age
Stress
Smoking
Vitamin D deficiency
Obesity

It is important to note that while these risk factors increase your likelihood of developing multiple sclerosis, individuals without them can also receive an MS diagnosis.

Multiple Sclerosis Prevention

Although one cannot completely prevent multiple sclerosis, certain preventative measures can help reduce your likelihood of developing the condition. Some preventive measures for MS include [¹⁰]:

Getting the recommended amounts of vitamin D
Quitting smoking
Maintaining a healthy body weight
Eating a healthy diet
Staying active
Lowering stress levels

Multiple Sclerosis Prognosis and Treatment

Most MS patients live normal lifespans since this condition is deadly on rare occasions. However, MS-related complications such as bladder or chest infections may increase the risk of fatalities.

Multiple Sclerosis Survival Rate

Individuals with MS live anywhere from five to ten years less than those without the condition. According to research, approximately 50% of MS patients die from MS-related complications. However, multiple sclerosis patients have lived full lives with proper treatment and care. [¹¹] [¹²]

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Options

Scientists have yet to find a cure for multiple sclerosis. However, several medications are available for symptom management and slowing down the progression of the disease. For example, if you are experiencing a relapse or flare-up, your medical health provider may prescribe steroids to help with a speedy recovery. Doctors may also prescribe self-injecting DMTs to individuals experiencing relapsing varieties of multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis patients may also have to undergo occupational and physical therapy to help with symptom management. [¹³] [¹⁴]

Conclusion

Takeaway

Multiple sclerosis affects a large percentage of individuals worldwide. This condition is accompanied by a multitude of unpleasant symptoms. Getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment as soon as you notice signs of MS can help you control the disease's damage and improve your long-term health and overall well-being.