Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that destroys the myelin sheath, the protein coating that surrounds the nerve cells of the spinal cord and brain. Because symptoms vary and may come and go, it is often difficult to diagnosis MS in the early stages of the disease. According to 2010 information from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, MS affects approximately 400,000 people in the United States. Symptoms of MS vary depending upon the area of the spinal cord or brain that is damaged. MS is diagnosed after two separate episodes of symptoms have occurred at least one month apart.
Visual Symptoms
Blurred or double vision are frequent early symptoms of MS. Optic neuritis, an inflammation of the optic nerve, is marked by pain and discomfort in the eye that continues over a period of a few days. The inflammation normally subsides after the first episode; however, recurring attacks increase the likelihood of residual damage. Although vision may continue to deteriorate as the disease progresses, total blindness is uncommon.
Sensory Problems
Numbness and tingling in the extremities is a common and early symptom of MS. Numbness may start in the tips of the fingers and toes and gradually move up the limb, or it can affect a larger area of the body. Numbness usually subsides without treatment; however, it can affect balance and limit mobility, making it difficult to complete ordinary tasks. If the nerves responsible for sending signals to the extremities are damaged, weakness in the arms and legs are likely. More than 50 percent of persons with MS experience some form of weakness in their body, according to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a persistent symptom of MS that affects approximately 20 percent of people at the onset of their disease, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Unlike normal fatigue, MS related fatigue comes and goes, and is just as likely to occur after a good night's rest as at the end of a long day.
Muscle Symptoms
Weakness in the arms or legs, or a lack of coordination, called ataxia, may be early signs of MS. Stiffness in the body or limbs makes it difficult to move fluidly and orchestrate small coordinated movements. An unsteady gait or an increase in clumsiness can be symptoms of a decrease in muscle strength, which may increase the risk of falls or accidents.
Cognitive Dysfunction
Because symptoms of MS vary according to the part of the body affected by the disease, a decline in cognitive function can be an early sign of MS. A lesion in the part of the brain that governs executive functions can affect short-term memory and attention span, and make it difficult to process new information.
