Common early signs of multiple sclerosis (MS) include:vision problems.tingling and numbness.pains and spasms.weakness or fatigue.balance problems or dizziness.bladder issues.sexual dysfunction.cognitive problems.
These factors may increase your risk of developing multiple sclerosis: Age. MS can occur at any age, but onset usually occurs around 20 and 40 years of age.Jan 7, 2022
Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes damage to nerve fibers in the central nervous system. Over time, it can lead to vision problems, muscle weakness, loss of balance or numbness. Several drug therapies can limit nerve damage and slow the disease's progression.Feb 10, 2021
MS isn't a fatal condition in most cases, and most people with MS have a close-to-normal life expectancy. But since the disease varies so much from person to person, it can be difficult for doctors to predict whether their condition will worsen or improve.
There are no specific tests for MS . Instead, a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis often relies on ruling out other conditions that might produce similar signs and symptoms, known as a differential diagnosis. Your doctor is likely to start with a thorough medical history and examination.Jan 7, 2022
MS symptoms in females include the following:Vision problems. For many people, a vision problem is the first noticeable symptom of MS. ... Numbness. Numbness in the face, body, arms, or legs is another common symptom of MS. ... Fatigue. ... Bladder problems. ... Bowel problems. ... Pain. ... Cognitive changes. ... Depression.More items...
What are the 4 stages of MS?Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) This is the first episode of symptoms caused by inflammation and damage to the myelin covering on nerves in the brain or spinal cord. ... Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) ... Secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) ... Primary-progressive MS (PPMS)
“MS may lead to a loss of sensation in whatever area of the body corresponds with the damaged area of the brain or spinal cord,” Dr. Scherz says. This can cause numbness or a tingling sensation—for instance, in the fingers or toes. The feeling usually comes and goes, and can be mild or severe.Mar 9, 2020
Most symptoms develop abruptly, within hours or days. These attacks or relapses of MS typically reach their peak within a few days at most and then resolve slowly over the next several days or weeks so that a typical relapse will be symptomatic for about eight weeks from onset to recovery. Resolution is often complete.
“Regularly having several drinks could worsen neurological damage and function for patients living with MS, but a glass of wine or single beer at dinner is unlikely to cause significant issues,” says Graves. Alcohol is neither all good nor all bad.Nov 13, 2021
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic condition, which means it's long-lasting, and there's no cure for it.
Starting treatment early generally provides the best chance at slowing the progression of MS. It reduces the inflammation and damage to the nerve cells that cause your disease to worsen. Early treatment with DMTs and other therapies for symptom management may also reduce pain and help you better manage your condition.
sclerosis (MS), also known as encephalomyelitis disseminata, is the most common , in which the of in the and are damaged.This damage disrupts the ability of parts of the nervous system to , resulting in a range of , including physical, and sometimes psychiatric problems. Specific symptoms can include in one eye, muscle weakness, and trouble with or coordination. MS takes several forms, with new symptoms either occurring in isolated attacks (relapsing forms) or build…
A person with MS can have almost any neurological symptom or sign, with autonomic, visual, motor, and sensory problems being the most common. The specific symptoms are determined by the locations of the lesions within the nervous system, and may include loss of sensitivity or changes in sensation such as tingling, pins and needles or numbness, muscle weakness, blurred vision, very pronounced reflexes, muscle spasms, or difficulty in moving; difficulties with coordin…
The cause of MS is unknown; however, it is believed to occur as a result of some combination of genetic and environmental factors such as infectious agents. Theories try to combine the data into likely explanations, but none has proved definitive. While there are a number of environmental risk factors and although some are partly modifiable, further research is needed to determine whether their elimination can prevent MS.
The three main characteristics of MS are the formation of lesions in the central nervous system (also called plaques), inflammation and the destruction of myelin sheaths of neurons. These features interact in a complex and not yet fully understood manner to produce the breakdown of nerve tissue and in turn the signs and symptoms of the disease. Cholesterol crystals are believed both to impair myelin repair and to aggravate inflammation. MS is believed to be an immune-me…
Multiple sclerosis is typically diagnosed based on the presenting signs and symptoms, in combination with supporting medical imaging and laboratory testing. It can be difficult to confirm, especially early on, since the signs and symptoms may be similar to those of other medical problems.
The McDonald criteria, which focus on clinical, laboratory, and radiologic evidence of lesions at d…
Several phenotypes (commonly termed types), or patterns of progression, have been described. Phenotypes use the past course of the disease in an attempt to predict the future course. They are important not only for prognosis but also for treatment decisions. Currently, the United States National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, describes four types of MS (revised in 2013):
Although there is no known cure for multiple sclerosis, several therapies have proven helpful. The primary aims of therapy are returning function after an attack, preventing new attacks, and preventing disability. Starting medications is generally recommended in people after the first attack when more than two lesions are seen on MRI.
As with any medical treatment, medications used in the management of MS have several advers…
The expected future course of the disease depends on the subtype of the disease; the individual's sex, age, and initial symptoms; and the degree of disability the person has. Female sex, relapsing-remitting subtype, optic neuritis or sensory symptoms at onset, few attacks in the initial years and especially early age at onset, are associated with a better course.
Almost 40% of people with MS reach the seventh decade of life. Nevertheless, two-thirds of the …