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The disease multiple sclerosis affects the body's central nervous
system. When the disease takes hold, multiple sclerosis symptoms
can be painful and debilitating. This experience can be terrifying
for a patient who previously lived a full and healthy life.
Sudden physical limitations and mood swings can be extremely difficult
for the patient and their family. To help you understand what you
or your loved one is going through, we'll explain some of the most
common symptoms of MS and give you some tips for coping them.
MS symptoms usually appear between the ages of 20 and 40. The onset
of MS may be dramatic or so mild that a person doesn't even notice
any symptoms until far later in the course of the disease. Primary
symptoms include impairment of the necessary transmission of electrical
brain signals to muscles and the organs of the body.
The symptoms include weakness, tremors, tingling and numbness,
loss of balance, vision impairment, paralysis, and bladder or bowel
problems. Secondary symptoms result from primary symptoms. For example,
paralysis can lead to bedsores, incontinence, and recurring urinary
tract infections.
These symptoms can be treated, but the ideal goal is to avoid them
by treating the primary symptoms. Tertiary symptoms are the social,
psychological, and vocational complications associated with the
primary and secondary symptoms. Depression, for example, is a common
problem among people with MS.
Fatigue is the most common symptom of MS. It is typically present
in the mid afternoon and may consist of increased muscle weakness,
mental fatigue, sleepiness or drowsiness. Many MS patients report
a sensitivity to heat that worsens when they go outside or take
a shower. Muscle spasms are a common and often debilitating symptom
of MS.
Spasticity usually affects the muscles of the legs and arms, and
may interfere with a person's ability to move those muscles freely.
Many people with MS complain of dizziness and lightheadedness. These
symptoms are caused by damage in the complex nerve pathways that
coordinate vision and other inputs into the brain that are needed
to maintain balance.
Perhaps the most frightening of all multiple sclerosis symptoms
is cognitive impairment. Almost half of all MS patients report slowed
thinking, difficulty concentrating and loss of short term memory.
Some people experience problems with their vision, but these are
moderate issues that do not include blindness.
Abnormal sensations can range from numbness to extreme pain. These
symptoms can be treated. However, speech and swallowing problems,
tremors and problems walking can be difficult to treat because these
symptoms come as a result of damaged nerves.
Dealing with your multiple sclerosis symptoms does not have to
be difficult or time consuming. You may not be able to do everything
that you once enjoyed, but taking medication and making a few key
lifestyle choices can ensure that you still live a full life. For
more multiple sclerosis information, research the disease online
or contact the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Author information: Enrich your knowledge further about
multiple
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Article Source: EzineArticles.com:
Interpreting Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Properly
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