Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a serious condition that attacks the body's central nervous system (CNS), the area of the body that controls your ability to function. Despite there being myriad possible symptoms, it is important to remember that none of the symptoms of MS are specific to the disease alone. Having one of these symptoms, or even more, does not necessarily mean that you have MS. These symptoms are all severe, though, and warrant the attention of a health-care provider if they present themselves--either alone or with others.
Optical Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
The symptoms of MS can be broken down into a number of distinct categories. The first we'll look at are the visual symptoms, or the symptoms of MS that affect the eyes. The optical symptoms of MS can include optic neuritis (blurred vision, blindness, color blindness or eye pain); diplopia (double vision); and nystagmus (sudden jerking eye movements).
You may also experience a condition known as afferent pupillary defect (abnormal responses in the pupils), have trouble with movement and sound phosphenes (where you see flashing lights when you hear a sudden noise or move your eyes too quickly) or even develop internuclear ophthalmoplegia (where your eyes cannot coordinate with each other).
Motor Symptoms of MS
Because multiple sclerosis attacks the central nervous system, the effects on your motor abilities will be very apparent. Those suffering from MS may suffer from a wide variety of conditions affecting muscular control and motor skills.
Some of the motor symptoms of MS include paraparesis (weakness in the lower body), quadriparesis (weakness in both arms and both legs), monoparesis (affecting one limb) and hemiparesis (either the right or left side of the body), all of which contribute to muscle weaknesses that can develop into either mild or partial paralysis. Conditions such as plegia (paralysis), hemiplegia (one side of the body is paralyzed), quadraplegia (both arms and both legs are paralyzed), paraplegia (affecting only the legs) and tetraplegia (paralysis of all four extremities as well as the torso) are more severe conditions affecting muscle strength and can cause severe or total paralysis.
Other common symptoms include spasticity (loss of muscle tone, causing pain and stiffness), dysarthria (speech problems), muscle atrophy, muscle spasms, muscle cramps, restless leg syndrome, foot drop, hypotonia or clonus (posture problems) and dysfunctional reflex disorders.
Sensory Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
The sensory symptoms of MS can be quite scary. Some common sensory symptoms of MS include paraesthesia (partial numbness, buzzing or tingling, and sometimes even vibrations, usually felt in the extremities); L'Hermitte's (buzzing or electrical shock feelings upon head movement); and trigeminal neuralgia (facial pain). You may also experience anaesthesia (complete numbness in parts of your body) or neuralgia (sudden pain with no identifiable cause).
MS Symptoms Affecting Coordination and Balance
Because of its involvement with the central nervous system, MS can have a significant impact on your ability to keep your balance and maintain your coordination skills.
Common symptoms affecting these abilities include ataxia (an inability to remain coordinated), dysmetria (movements that under- or over-shoot), vertigo (a form of dizziness that can cause vomiting or nausea), speech impediments, shaking, tremors and loss of ability to move in a rhythmic manner.
Reproductive & Elimination Symptoms
Multiple sclerosis can have a serious impact on your reproductive system (specifically on your sex drive) as well as on your bladder and bowels.
Common symptoms of MS affecting your ability to eliminate wastes include urinary incontinence, difficulty urinating, constipation, an urgent need to defecate or fecal incontinence.
Common sexual symptoms of MS include impotence, an inability to orgasm, male ejaculation back into the bladder and an inability to become sexually aroused.
Cognitive or Emotional Symptoms
Just being diagnosed with MS can have a significant impact on a person's mindset. As other symptoms develop, especially in the later stages of the disease, you may find you are developing additional cognitive symptoms.
These symptoms include depression, mood swings and anxiety, all related to the stress and worry associated with the disease itself. You may also develop memory problems, speech problems, dementia or even bipolar disorder.
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