Multiple Sclerosis: Signs and Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

What is Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord. In this disease the myelin sheath (covering of the nerves) in the brain are either damaged or destroyed, causing further damage to the underlying nerve fiber.

These are the very nerve fibers that help communicate in between the brain and all other parts of the body. Depending on the amount of nerve damage, communication between the brain and other parts of the body is either diminished or totally missing.

Multiple Sclerosis is a slow progressing disease with some experiencing just mild symptoms and some experiencing extreme symptoms. Some suffering from multiple sclerosis may just require a walking stick, whereas some could be bedridden for life. The maximum number of persons suffering from multiple sclerosis have symptoms in between mild and extreme.

Multiple Sclerosis Types
Multiple sclerosis are categorized into 4 main types.

-- Relapsing / Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)
-- Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS)
-- Progressive Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (PRMS)
-- Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS)

RRMS is characterized by relapses of the disease. The person recovers partially or fully in between relapses. Usually during the next relapse the person will have some new symptom with the previous symptoms worsening.

SPMS happens after the person has suffered from RRMS for a number of years. It is characterized by the period in between relapses getting worse. In time the period between lapses get shorter and shorter and finally will merge into a general progression of the disease.

PRMS is when the disease is constantly progressive with far-in-between relapses. Usually the person improves following the relapse but gets worse between the relapse.

PPMS is characterized as constantly progressive with no relapses at all and originates in the spinal cord at times progressing to the brain.

Multiple sclerosis could also be diagnosed as Benign Multiple Sclerosis, Malignant Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, or Transitional / Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
Multiple sclerosis symptoms are experienced by most in between ages 20 and 50.

Some of the early symptoms of multiple sclerosis could consist of one or more of the following.

-- Blurred vision
-- Double vision
-- Color distortion, especially in between red and green
-- Sudden deterioration of vision in one eye
-- Regular mood swings

As time progresses the signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis get more pronounced and could consist of one or more of the following.

-- Overall muscle weakness
-- Difficulty in coordinating muscle movements
-- Difficulty in standing
-- Extreme difficulty while walking caused by weak and uncoordinated muscles
-- Partial paralysis
-- In extreme cases complete paralysis
-- Full / partial loss of bladder control
-- Full / partial loss of bowel control
-- Blurred and unclear speech
-- Sudden dizziness
-- Poor concentration
-- Reduced attention span
-- Very poor memory
-- Poor judgment
-- Depression caused by all the above factors

Due to the complexity of the disease, many of the causes of multiple sclerosis symptoms are still being discovered.

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
There is no perfect treatment for multiple sclerosis. Once diagnosed the neurologist could put you on medications approved for the disease depending on the stage and severity of the disease.

Along with prescribed medication, regular mild exercise and maintaining a nutritious wholesome diet will be beneficial.

If someone in your home suffers from multiple sclerosis, be considerate towards them, it will help the person suffering and everyone living in the house. They could have severe mood swings, require your constant help for any physical activity, not be able to express themselves properly - the list can go on and on. It has to be understood that these persons do not do these things on purpose; they just can't help it. Getting angry will only worsen the situation causing unnecessary strain in the family.

If you notice that you have some of these symptoms then you must seek medical advice / help immediately. Diagnosing multiple sclerosis is not easy even by an experienced general physician, because most of the symptoms overlap with symptoms of other diseases. If you suspect the symptoms being more inclined towards multiple sclerosis, it is better to get a diagnosis done by a reputed neurologist. A neurologist will diagnose the symptoms more accurately and also limit any further damage by prescribing the proper treatment and medication.