Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic illness that affects the central nervous system: the brain and spinal cord. Scientists consider it an auto-immune disease. The immune system damages the protective layer of myelin that surrounds the nerve fibers. The damage to the myelin sheath causes it to disappear and leaves nerves exposed. This effect causes a signal disruption to the brain and the rest of the body.
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis include the following:
1. Weakness or fatigue
Weakness and fatigue occur due to damage to the nerves. It can affect patient functioning and ability to perform tasks at work or home.
2. Tingling and numbness
Tingling is a needle-like sensation that affects your arms and legs. Numbness when no signals are sent to the brain due to nerve damage. It often occurs on the face. Tingling and numbness cause difficulty in walking.
3. Pains and spasms
A spasm is the sudden muscle stiffness that causes the legs to jerk. It often affects leg muscles. The spasms can cause mild muscle tightness or severe tightness that causes pain. Pains and spasms affect movement.
4. Vision Problems
Vision problem is a very common early sign of MS. Some people may have double, blurred, partial or complete loss of vision. MS often affects one eye at a time. Optic nerve inflammation causes pain when the eye moves.
5. Balance problems or dizziness
Balance and dizziness are very common issues. With dizziness, you may feel lightheaded. Lack of coordination makes it difficult to move around. It may cause: Difficulty walking, balance problems or changes in gait.
6. Bladder problems
Multiple sclerosis causes damage to the bladder causing bladder issues. Some of the effects of bladder issues include: Urination frequency, sudden urination, difficulty emptying bladder or urine incontinence. Inability to empty the bladder fully can cause secondary problems such as bladder infection.
7. Cognitive problems
Cognition problems may cause trouble focusing, concentration difficulty, poor memory, confusion and slowed thinking. Cognitive issues may affect your ability to complete daily tasks. For example, you may have difficulty remembering faces and names.
Progressive multiple sclerosis treatments often include doctor-prescribed medications and therapies. Only one drug known as ocrevus (ocrelizumab) is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for progressive multiple sclerosis treatment. The drug slows the disease progression.
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary from patient to patient depending on nerve damage and affected nerve. Also, it would be best if you kept in touch with your doctor to monitor how well the medications are working and monitor the disease.