Early Symptoms and Signs of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease wherein the antibodies affect nerve fibers of central nervous system. The early symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis can follow varied paths in different individuals. However the signs of Multiple Sclerosis can be well controlled with the recent advances in medical research.
Early Symptoms and Signs of Multiple Sclerosis
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Myelin is the fatty tissue encapsulating the nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. MS is caused by damage to the myelin sheath around nerve fibers. Sclerotic sheath affects the underlying flow of nerve impulses. It affects women more than men and within the age group 20 to 40 years.

Facts About Disseminated Sclerosis Symptoms
  • The symptoms of neurologic dysfunction can abruptly cause an exacerbation and recoveries are transient
  • Signs can mistaken for a psychiatric illness
  • As the disease becomes more progressive, the vital functions of walking, writing, speech and memory are affected
Early Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
The early symptoms of disseminated sclerosis depend upon the extent and type of affected nerve fibers innervating subsequent organs. Myelin does have a capacity to reform at a very slow rate.

Physical Symptoms
  • Numbness of the face and body is the earliest and most common symptom
  • Fatigue
  • Tremors
  • Tingling sensation on the skin
  • Gait problems and body imbalance
  • Gastrointestinal upset like constipation or diarrhea
  • Loss of bladder and bowel function
  • Vision problems
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Muscle weakness
  • Muscular spasms and contractures
Mental Signs of Multiple Sclerosis
  • Difficulty with concentration
  • Memory loss
  • Poor judgment
  • Depression
  • Mild dementia
  • Psychosis
  • Paranoia
  • Emotional outbursts
Advanced Symptoms of MS
  • Chronic Diffuse Pain anywhere in the body that may fluctuate with no reason. It can be anything varying from a burning, stabbing, blunt pressure pain or excruciating
  • Voice Disorders
  • Dysphagia
  • Jerky Eye Movements
  • Seizures
  • Dyspnea
  • Dysesthesia
  • Blindness
  • Involuntary Leg movements
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia
  • Paralysis
Multiple Sclerosis Prognosis
Diagnosing the severity and assessing whether disseminated sclerosis is progressive still remains a daunting task on account of the unpredictable flare-ups, relapses and remissions. In rare cases, MS can be very aggressive so as to affect the life span but in most cases patients live a near-normal life expectancy with some limitations in the quality of life.

By Dr. Maisie M
Published: 5/2/2008
 
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