If you’re suffering from early warning signs of Multiple Sclerosis, then it’s vital you don’t ignore them. Capable of causing significant damage to the body, this disease is best dealt with when you get early treatment. But what are the warning signs of Multiple Sclerosis you should be looking out for?
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Simply put, Multiple Sclerosis is an inflammatory disease that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. This disrupts the communication of the nervous system and can, in severe cases, lead to paralysis. Affecting almost 2.5 million people globally, this disease is degenerative, meaning that it’s vital to identify early warning signs.
Vision problems
Because MS affects the nerves in the brain, this can often interfere with the optic nerves in the eye which can cause double or blurry vision. You may also feel like your eyes hurt both when you move them and when you don’t. Although it is more likely to occur in both eyes at the same time, in some cases, it can occur in just one eye at a time.
Tingling and numbness
Often the most ignored symptom of MS, tingling like pins and needles that moves up your arms and legs can be an early indicator.
Exhaustion and fatigue
Although exhaustion on its own isn’t necessarily a sign of MS, significant muscle fatigue is. As the nervous system degrades, fatigue will become more severe. It can be difficult to identify this issue to begin with but slight weaknesses can often deteriorate into something more serious.
Pains and spams
Often more identifiable as a sign of MS, jerky and spontaneous muscle spasms are harder to ignore and can be quite embarrassing. These types of spasms can often leave the arms and legs quite sore and stiff. Chronic joint, muscle and back pain can also be an indicator that someone is suffering from MS.
Balance problems
Where the communication channels between your spine and your brain are interrupted, you’re likely to experience balance issues and bouts of dizziness. This could happen when you stand up, move over an obstacle or you may feel like you’re getting clumsier in general.
Bladder and bowel control
Largely due to the fact that these functions are controlled by the central nervous system, some patients find that they lose control of their bladder and bowel.
Sexual dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction is likely to occur as the central nervous system deteriorates and messages from the brain to the sexual organs are interrupted, interfering with someone’s sex drive.
Cognitive problems
Cognitive issues such as a shorter attention span, memory loss and difficulties staying organised can all be signs of MS.
Depression
MS can have a significant impact on an individual’s emotional health, often without you realising, and many of those who suffer from the disease experience feelings of depression, bouts of irritability and mood swings.
Slurred speech
With many areas of the brain affected by this disease, slurred speech is another early warning sign where an individual begins to lose control over these muscles.
Resources:
www.activebeat.com/your-health/women/the-early-warning-symptoms-of-multiple-sclerosis/
http://www.ba-bamail.com/content.aspx?emailid=13651
https://www.healthline.com/health/multiple-sclerosis/early-signs#emotional-health
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