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MS, or Multiple Sclerosis, is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. Thought to be an autoimmune disorder, this condition is unpredictable, and affects people differently. MS destroys the tissue surrounding and protecting nerves. As a result, the affected nerves cannot send signals to or from the brain. Some people may only have mild symptoms. Others may lose their ability to write, speak, or walk as the communication between the brain and body is disrupted.
There are a number of possible causes of MS, and even more potential symptoms. Are you wondering if something you or a loved one is experiencing could be early signs of MS? Here is a guide to some of the most common symptoms.
Vision
Vision problems are the first symptom for many people living with MS. There are three common ways it can develop: Optic Neuritis, Diplopia, and Nystagmus. Optic Neuritis is the inflammation of the optic nerve, usually occurs in one eye and is categorized by blurred or dim vision. Diplopia is commonly referred to as double vision, where if you cover one eye you will see a single image, but with both eyes you’ll see two. Nystagmus is the rapid, involuntary shaking of the eyes. Up and down, side to side, or rotating. Fortunately, for all three conditions, proper treatment can usually restore vision.
Fatigue
Fatigue is often thought of as tiredness. Unlike being tired, fatigue cannot be solved by a good night’s sleep. Instead, it is a daily lack of energy, unusual or excessive whole-body exhaustion not relieved by sleep. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 80% of people with MS have fatigue, and is often one of the early signs of MS that is easiest to miss. The cause of it is currently unknown, but it is common for people with MS and their family members to misinterpret the symptoms as depression. If you think you may be fatigued, be sure to consult a physician.
Numbness and Tingling
This can happen anywhere in your body. Sometimes it will feel like a part of your body has fallen asleep. Other times it may feel like pins and needles or itching. Part of what makes this hard to identify at times is these sensory symptoms can last for a few minutes, or last for much longer. They also tend to be worse at night and when you are hot. Lesions on the brain and spinal cord cause these symptoms, damaging the covering of the nerve fibers that carry information from your body to your central nervous system. There are a number of treatments for numbness and tingling, from complementary and alternative medicines to prescription drugs.
Loss of Balance and Dizziness
MS can impact the part of the brain that regulates balance. As a result, the information the brain is receiving and sending out can be late, incomplete or misleading. One of the early signs of MS is that you may feel off balance or lightheaded, and occasionally can experience vertigo, the sensation where they or their surroundings are spinning. These symptoms typically respond well to anti-motion-sickness drugs, so if you are experiencing dizziness or loss of balance consult your healthcare team.
Stiffness or Spasms
These are two early signs of MS that can have a major impact on quality of life. Spasticity (the medical term for muscle stiffness or heaviness) and spasms (not to be confused with spasticity, although they sound similar spasms are the involuntary tightening or contracting of muscles) are common symptoms caused by MS. Nerve pathways work together to coordinate smooth movement of muscles. Damage from MS interrupts these pathways, affecting their motion and resulting in stiffness or spasms. Between 60% and 90% of people with MS will be affected by these at some point in their lives. Most of the time it will be occasional, but one in five reported the symptoms as frequent, and one in eight reported them as severe. These symptoms can be triggered by other factors. Other MS symptoms, such as bowel or bladder pain, or health conditions like infections, as well as external triggers like temperature, may cause spasticity and spasms to be worse.
Tremors
MS tremors are rhythmic, back-and-forth muscle movements that cannot be controlled. Caused by nerve damage, there are three common types: Intention, Postural, and Resting tremors. Intention tremors typically occur during physical movement. There is no shaking while at rest. Postural tremors occur when you are holding a position against gravity, such as keeping your arms outstretched. Resting tremors occur while the body is at rest. There are a number of treatments, including therapy and medication.
Pain
Because MS causes nerve damage, the most common symptoms that come as early signs of MS are neuropathic pain, chronic neuropathic pain, or musculoskeletal pain. This happens due to the “short circuiting” of nerves that carry signals from the brain to the body. Acute neuropathic symptoms feel like burning, stabbing, sharpness and squeezing. Chronic neuropathic pain typically manifests in two ways. One is dysesthesias, painful sensations that persist on a daily or nearly basis that typically feel like burning, prickling, stabbing, ice cold or electrical sensations. The other is pruritis, typically described as “pins and needles.” Pain from MS can also be musculoskeletal. Difficulties with balance, fatigue, or muscle weakness put stress on joints and ligaments, causing pain.
Bladder Problems
Two major muscles empty the bladder: the detrusor and sphincter muscle. With MS, the detrusor muscle can involuntarily contract, increasing the pressure in the bladder and decreasing the amount of urine it can hold. This causes people with MS to go more frequently, leak urine, and interferes with sleep. Instead of the bladder expanding when urine collects, it contracts, even when there is not much in it. This is because of damage to the nerves affecting the signals between the brain and the bladder and urinary sphincter.
Bowel Trouble
The central nervous system controls the speed at which digestion takes place. It can speed up, or slow down, the process. With MS, communication between the central nervous system and your bowels is disrupted. This typically causes the bowels to slow down digestion, resulting in constipation. It is important to note that the opposite can be true. Most of the time, constipation is an early sign of MS. Bowel function can actually be sped up however, causing loose stools, diarrhea, and incontinence.
Memory and Thinking
One of the most telling early signs of MS is cognitive, or problems with memory and reasoning. MS is a neurological condition, and commonly affects the ability to remember recent events and plans. People with MS say it takes more time and effort to actively search for a memory, also known as recall. It can also be more difficult to concentrate for long periods of time and keep track of an activity when disrupted. The ability to process information may slow down, making it harder to make plans and solve problems. Often, it can be frightening to think you may not have a grip on things that used to come easily. Many people with MS report feeling that they are “losing it” or feel as if they are becoming stupid. These cognitive changes can be worrying, but having access to good, accurate information and a support system in place is the best form of defense.
Multiple Sclerosis can be a frightening condition to confront. It can affect people differently at varying rates, and there is still a lot of research to be done into its causes. It is important to remember that there are people out there with MS living full, happy lives. Finding a community that shares experiences, supports each other, and offers encouragement and advice is a great step in understanding and managing the symptoms and early signs of MS. Sign up for a free PatientsLikeMe account today to join a group of over 76,000 people and enjoy the resources we have to offer.