Signs and Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?

Answer 1

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is characterized by a group of symptoms that may be experienced in varying measures by different people. Common symptoms include a tingling sensation in either the arms or legs. This may be accompanied by numbness as well. Many people experience dizziness, fatigue, and weakness on a regular basis. Double vision, blurred vision, or possibly loss of vision may occur. This may be a partial or complete loss. Tremors and a coordination issues are typical as the disease progresses.

Answer 2

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease that causes the body's own immune system to attack the nerves. The damaged nerves cause problems in communication between the nervous system and the rest of the body. Irreversible nerve damaged caused by multiple sclerosis can lead to many symptoms that affect all of the body's systems.

Bladder Symptoms

Up to 75% of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis experience problems related to the bladder. Patients may lose control of their bladders, have frequent urinary tract infections or may not be able to fully empty their bladders.

Cognitive Symptoms

Patients with multiple sclerosis often experience a decrease in cognitive abilities. They may feel fatigued or have problems with processing information quickly, memorization or attention. Approximately 60% of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis experience these symptoms, which can have a serious affect on quality of life.

Symptoms that Affect Mobility

Within ten years after diagnosis, 25% of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis require a type of aid to walk. Within 30 years after diagnosis, 85% of patients require an aid. Patients with multiple sclerosis often report feeling tired or unusually weak and many have problems maintaining balance.

Symptoms that Affect Sight

Nearly half of patients with multiple sclerosis develop optic neuritis. This complication is characterized by inflammation of the optic nerve and may result in blindness. Intense pain, flashes of light and blurred vision are common precursors of optic neuritis.

Pain Symptoms

Multiple sclerosis patients frequently experience pain. Headaches, spasms and pain in the limbs and back are most common. Some patients experience pain in the forehead, scalp, nose, eyes, lips or jaw. This pain is caused when the body's immune system attacks the trigeminal nerve. Other patients report feeling a sharp pain that feels like an electrical shock when bending the neck down. Still others report painful tingling feelings in their limbs.