Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that occurs when nerves of the central nervous system become inflamed and myelin is destroyed, according to an article in the November 2004 issue of "American Family Physician". Myelin is a substance that surrounds the nerves of the central nervous system. This destruction of myelin leads to difficulties with many body functions, such as movement, vision and sensation. According to a study in the December 2000 issue of "Neurological Sciences", initial symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary and typically start between the ages of 20 to 40 years.
Abnormal Sensations
One initial symptom of multiple sclerosis is numbness or a tingling sensation. Sometimes individuals feel like they are being pricked with pins and needles. These sensations may occur on any body part, but usually on the hands, arms, feet, legs or face. Myelin destruction of the nerves in the central nervous system results in these abnormal sensations. For some, the sensations may be short-lived and mild. Sometimes the sensations become so severe that they interfere with functioning, such as the ability unable to walk, as a result of having numb feet.
According to an article in the October 25, 2008 issue of "Lancet", another abnormal sensation that may occur includes Lhermitte's sign, which is an electrical sensation that patients feel down the back and into the arms and legs. Lhermitte's sign usually occurs when bending the neck backward or forward. A person with multiple sclerosis may also experience Uhthoff phenomenon, as described in the "Lancet" article, which is the worsening of multiple sclerosis symptoms when the body's temperature increases from such things as a hot bath, exercise, hot weather or fever.
Vision Difficulties
Visual difficulties may also occur during the initial stage of multiple sclerosis, according to the "Lancet" article. Examples of visual difficulties include blurred vision, seeing double, having color distortions, or losing the ability to see. Some people experience pain around the eye. Vision difficulties usually prove temporary and usually resolve. In many cases, the vision difficulties occur in one eye at a time, but both eyes may be affected in some people with multiple sclerosis. Damage to the nerve that transmits impulses between the eye and the brain, called the optic nerve, leads to the vision difficulties.
Walking Difficulties
Individuals with multiple sclerosis may have difficulty walking at the onset of the disease, as noted in the "Lancet" article. They may stumble or sway when walking. Some people have walking difficulties for a short period of time and others have a more chronic problem with their gait. Difficulties with balance, coordination of movement, vision, and muscle weakness in the legs may contribute to walking problems. Damage to the nerves in the cerebellum, or the part of the brain involved with balance and movement coordination, may lead to walking difficulties. Also, myelin damage of the nerves involved in moving the muscles of the legs and feet interferes with the signals needed to walk properly.
References
- "American Family Physician"; Diagnosis and Management of Multiple Sclerosis; Peter Calabresi; November 15, 2004
- "Lancet"; Multiple Sclerosis; Alastair Compston and Alasdair Coles; October 25, 2008
- "Neurological Sciences"; Age at Onset in Multiple Sclerosis; Maria Liguori, Maria Giovanna Marrosu, Maura Pugliatti, Francesco Giuliani, F. De Robertis, Eleonora Cocco, GB Zimatore, Paolo Livrea and Maria Trojano; December 2000
