Early Signs of MS

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. It is an inflammatory neurological disorder, characterized by damage to the myelin sheath that cover the nerves. It is these fatty myelin sheaths that protect and insulate the nerves. In case of people with multiple sclerosis, myelin sheaths are damaged by the immune system itself, thereby affecting the transmission of messages between the brain and other parts of the body. This condition also causes formation of scar tissues in the brain and the spinal cord. As the message transmission function gets affected, symptoms start showing up in the affected person. However, the early signs of multiple sclerosis may vary greatly among the affected people. Even in a single patient, early signs of multiple sclerosis may show from time to time. This article will provide you with a brief overview of the early signs of MS.

Early Signs and Symptoms of MS

As mentioned above, the early signs of multiple sclerosis may show wide variations from one patient to another. In general, this disorder is mainly seen in people, who belong to the age group of 20 to 40. It is very rare for a person to develop multiple sclerosis before the age of 15 or after the age of 60. While, in some people, the symptoms can be very mild and unnoticeable, but, in some others it may be mild and persistent. In some people affected with MS, the symptoms may appear and subside at irregular intervals. However, some may experience sudden onset of symptoms that can worsen within a short time period. In short, multiple sclerosis is a disorder that can cause numerous symptoms that may not be similar for all. The type of symptoms, their duration and severity, etc., depend on various factors, like, the extent of damage to the myelin sheaths (demyelination), location of scar tissues, etc. Read on for some of the commonly seen multiple sclerosis warning signs.

• One of the early signs of MS include weakness, especially in the limbs. This causes weak limb movements and the person may also find it difficult to walk properly.
• Numbness and tingling may also be experienced as one of the early signs of multiple sclerosis. In most cases, this sensation is found to be concentrated on one side of the body and sometimes, this may be accompanied by pain too.
• Other early symptoms and signs of multiple sclerosis include vision problems, along with facial pain. It can be blurred vision, double vision or loss of vision. The affected person may also find it difficult to distinguish some colors.
• In some cases, early signs of MS include tremors, sudden onset of paralysis, slurred speech, etc. These patients may also face dizziness and problems in balance.
• Some people with multiple sclerosis may also face difficulties in controlling bladder and bowel movements. Another symptom that can be experienced during the early stages of this condition is shock-like sensations inside the head.
• Multiple sclerosis early signs may include depression, moods swings, memory loss, difficulty in concentrating, paranoia, etc.
• While, the early signs of MS in men and women are same, this condition is most commonly seen in women. The early signs of MS in women are found to appear within the age of 20 to 30, in most cases.

The above said is a brief overview of some of the common early signs of MS. As these symptoms vary widely and mimic signs of other medical conditions, diagnosis of MS is difficult. Apart from that, flare-ups and remissions are also very common in multiple sclerosis, making it more difficult to diagnose. So, if you experience, such early signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis persistently or with flare-ups and remissions, then, it will be better to consult your doctor and rule out the possibility of this condition that can get worsened and even debilitating.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. Visiting your physician is the safest way to diagnose and treat any health condition.