Multiple sclerosis, also called MS, affects between 250,000 and 350,000 people in the United States, according to Arthur Schoenstadt, MD, author of the eMedTV article "Multiple Sclerosis Statistics." Multiple sclerosis results from damage to the myelin sheath, which is the built-in covering of human nerve cells. When the myelin sheathing breaks down, the brain cannot communicate with the body, resulting in multiple sclerosis symptoms. "The Merck Manual Home Edition" states that when multiple sclerosis patients experience flare-ups, their symptoms become worse.
Sensation Changes
Patients with multiple sclerosis can have sensation symptoms when the flare-up affects the sensory nerves. For example, a multiple sclerosis patient can experience numbness and a reduced sense of touch during a flare-up, according to "The Merck Manual Home Edition." Instead of numbness, some patients may have tingling, pain or burning. Other multiple sclerosis patients may feel an itching sensation. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that sensation changes from a multiple sclerosis flare-up may also result in facial pain.
Movement Difficulties
If the multiple sclerosis flare-up affects the motor nerves, patients can have problems moving. For example, the National Institutes of Health states that patients can have weakness or tremors in one or more limbs. The muscle weakness can cause problems walking or moving arms or legs. Patients may experience muscle spasms as well. These muscular problems may result in balance and coordination problems. "The Merck Manual Home Edition" adds that patients may feel unusually stiff or fatigued.
Vision Problems
Flare-ups in MS patients can affect vision. Patients may experience uncoordinated eye movements, which can affect their ability to see clearly when looking straight ahead, according to "The Merck Manual Home Edition." Multiple sclerosis can also cause patients to have blurred vision or double vision. Some patients may experience partial blindness during a flare-up. Eye discomfort is also a possibility, such as feeling aching or pain in one eye.
Bladder and Bowel Symptoms
Some multiple sclerosis patients have problems with their bladders or bowels during a flare-up of multiple sclerosis. The National Institutes of Health notes that multiple sclerosis can cause both fecal and urinary leakage. Patients may have a strong and frequent need to urinate or may have problems starting urination. Constipation may also occur.
Sexual Problems
Patients having a multiple sclerosis flare-up may experience problems performing sexually. Male patients can experience impotence, or erectile dysfunction, and problems reaching an orgasm. "The Merck Manual Home Edition" notes that female patients also may have difficulty reaching orgasm and can experience decreased sensation in the vagina.
Changes in Mental Function
Mental functions may be affected during a flare-up. For example, "The Merck Manual Home Edition" notes that patients have reported memory loss, inattention and poor judgment. Mood swings can occur, including symptoms of depression.
