Multiple sclerosis isn’t an easy disease to diagnose or define.
It occurs when the myelin sheathing that protects nerve fibers in the central nervous system (the brain, the spinal cord and the optic nerves) wears away. The disease occurs when the body’s own immune system attacks the myelin, though it’s unclear why, according to the National Institutes of Health. Most researchers believe there’s a complex interaction between environmental factors and a genetic predisposition at play in the disease. Geography also plays a role; it’s more common in populations that live farthest from the equator.
What multiple sclerosis can do to the body
Because of the damage done to the nerves, communication to and from the brain and the rest of the body is disrupted. MS can, over time, lead to blindness, paralysis and muscle weakness, chronic pain, and loss of the ability to speak, swallow and even breathe.
Searching for symptoms
There is no single tell-tale symptom of multiple sclerosis; doctors rely on patient history, symptoms and some neurological scans to decide if a person has the disease. In many cases, the diagnosis occurs when doctors can’t pinpoint any other possible cause for the nerve damage.
Symptoms can be vague, and seem disconnected; no two people get the same symptoms, and even in a single individual, a symptom may only pop up once, or if certain symptoms recur, they might appear years apart.
More common symptoms of MS include:
- Fatigue
- Problems with gait, or walking, related to balance, fatigue, muscle weakness and other factors
- Numbness or tingling in the arms and legs, which is often the first sign something’s wrong
- Spasticity or feelings of extreme muscle stiffness or uncontrollable movement in the limbs, especially the legs
- Weakness, either from nerve damage or loss of muscle tone caused by difficulty moving
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Vision problems, including blurred vision, poor contrast or problems perceiving color; some people experience painful eye movements
- Bladder and bowel problems
- Sexual dysfunction
- Pain
- Cognitive and emotional changes, including difficulties with memory, decision-making, judgment, sudden irritability or mood swings
- Depression
Less common symptoms may include:
- Headache
- Tremor in the hands
- Problems with speech, such as slurring words or sudden loss of volume, or difficulties swallowing or breathing caused by damage to the nerves that control these functions
- Itching, including a “pins and needles” sensation, burning or a stabbing sensation
- Hearing loss
There is no cure for MS and no single effective medication. Treatment includes a combination of physical and occupational therapy, medication to slow the damage done to the nerves and suppress the immune response as well as manage pain.
