The New York Times Health Guide reports that multiple sclerosis is caused by damage to the myelin sheath, the covering that protects nerve cells. This causes nerve impulses to slow down or stop, resulting in central nervous system symptoms. This disease becomes worse over time, therefore the severity and development of symptoms progresses over time. Symptoms might occur episodically, and they occur between periods of remission or decreased symptoms. The website All About Multiple Sclerosis and the New York Times Health Guide on Multiple Sclerosis describes the symptoms with MS can have.
Visual Symptoms
Visual symptoms affect the eyesight of someone with MS. They include blurred vision, jerky eye movements, loss of color, or blindness. Some will develop lack of coordination between the eyes, also known as abnormal pupil response.
Motor Symptoms
Motor symptoms affect one's movements or reflexes. These can include muscle weakness, partial or mild paralysis, slurred speech, spasms, cramps, twitching muscles or involuntary movements. Some develop foot drop or dysfunctional reflexes. Physical, occupational or speech therapy can help with alleviate these symptoms. There are devices that can help people with MS when these symptoms severely affect their lives. There are also medications that can help with muscle spasms.
Sensory Symptoms
Sensory symptoms affect one's senses. Some sensory symptoms that stem from MS include numbness, tingling, pain or burning. Some report feeling "electric shocks" or buzzing with head movements.
Coordination and Balance Symptoms
These symptoms affect the coordination of people with MS. They include loss of coordination, shakiness when performing fine motor skills, nausea or vomiting, problems with speech, loss of ability to move with a rhythm. Sometimes physical therapy or occupational therapy can assist with these symptoms.
Bowel and Bladder Symptoms
Multiple sclerosis has effects on many systems of the body, including the urinary and gastrointestinal tract. These symptoms include urinary urgency, incontinence, impotence, irregular bowel movements, constipation or bowel incontinence. Medications are available to help with urinary problems.
Cognitive
Persons with MS also experience cognitive and emotional symptoms. These include memory problems, forgetfulness and speech impairments. Poor judgment, depression and the ability to reason are other examples.
Other
Fatigue is a common problem for people with MS. A medication is available for fatigue, according to the New York Times Health Guide, called Amantadine. Other symptoms include acid reflux, impaired sense of taste and smell, swallowing problems and respiratory problems.
