Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that generally affects adults over the age of 20. Although the full effects of MS might not be experienced until the patient reaches an elderly age, the first symptoms start to appear between ages twenty and forty.
Just like with any medical condition, it’s important to learn how to spot the early warning signs of multiple sclerosis. That way, if multiple sclerosis is affecting you, then you can receive effective medical treatment as soon as possible.
Early warning signs of multiple sclerosis include all of the following:
-Tingling and numbness throughout the body, or in the extremities: Tingling, numbness, and ‘pins and needles’ are all common symptoms of multiple sclerosis. As the condition progresses, tingling might turn into muscle spasticity, where the muscles in the legs and arms frequently spasm. Some MS sufferers also experience stabbing pains throughout the body and other abnormal sensations.
-Loss of balance: The loss of balance that many MS sufferers experience is due to a combination of factors. First, cognitive difficulties make it hard for the body to balance itself. And second, the muscle weakness caused by MS can make it difficult to walk or even stand up straight.
-Blurry vision: Up to 55% of MS sufferers report having vision problems. These vision problems include blurry vision, ‘graying’ vision, and even blindness in one eye. Fortunately, blindness is rare in MS sufferers.
-Weakness throughout the body or in the arms and legs: Weakness is the most commonly experienced symptom in those who suffer from multiple sclerosis. This involves both physical exhaustion as well as mental exhaustion. After sleeping for long periods of time, MS patients still report feeling excessively tired. As the disease progresses, many MS sufferers will be forced to use a wheelchair or cane due to muscle weakness.
The symptoms listed above are the most common early warnings signs of multiple sclerosis. However, some patients experience less common symptoms, including:
-Mental fuzziness and general cognitive difficulties
-Slurred speech
-Lack of coordination and difficulty walking
-Muscle spasms
-Sensitivity to heat
-Sudden paralysis
How to treat multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is caused by the deterioration of the protective sheaths around nerve endings in the body. This process is called ‘demyelination’ and it can occur in any part of the brain or spinal cord. Depending on the part of the body in which demyelination occurs, symptoms of MS can vary widely.
For that reason, multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease, and there is still plenty of research to be done in the field. A cure for multiple sclerosis has not yet been developed. Today, doctors treat MS in a number of different ways, including:
-Administration of disease modifying drugs, also known as DMDs, in order to slow the spread of the disease
-Use of steroid drugs to improve the body’s natural recovery following an MS attack
-Drug-free treatment of multiple sclerosis is also available, and often preferred due to the risk of side effects
-Support groups and counseling
Ultimately, multiple sclerosis is not a fatal disease, nor is it contagious. Families with a history of MS are more likely to develop the condition than the general population, although this correlation isn’t strong enough to label MS as a hereditary condition.
If you have noticed any of the above symptoms, then it’s a good idea to seek treatment. Visit your family doctor or an Atlanta urgent care clinic like WellStreet today for effective medical treatment.
