MS, or multiple sclerosis, is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the covering of the nerves. This covering, called myelin, protects the nerve signal as it travels to and from the brain. When this covering is damaged, a patient will begin to notice symptoms of MS. MayoClinic.com states that MS is characterized by relapses of symptoms, which are followed by periods of complete or partial remission. Early treatment is important in preventing the progression of MS; thus, recognizing initial symptoms is crucial.
Numbness or Weakness
According to MayoClinic.com, numbness and weakness in one or more limbs is an initial symptom of MS. Furthermore, numbness and weakness generally affects one side of the body or the bottom half of the body. This occurs because the body’s immune system attacks myelin in the brain and spinal cord, which can lead to numbness and weakness in particular parts of the body. Numbness and weakness are symptoms of many other diseases; thus, a patient should not hesitate to schedule an appointment with his doctor. The doctor will perform a physical exam, and likely take an MRI, which is a radiologic image that may show signs of MS damage to nerves.
Loss of Vision
An early symptom of MS is a loss of vision, states MayoClinic.com. Specifically, a patient may notice a partial or a complete loss of vision that affects one eye at a time. In addition to vision loss, the patient may experience optic neuritis, which is pain in the eye during movement. This occurs because MS can affect the nerves that send signals to and from the eyes. MayoClinic.com states that early medical treatment is important in preventing the progression of MS. Drugs, such as Avonex, Rebif and Betaseron are used to prevent the progression of MS after a case of optic neuritis.
Pain
According to the National MS Society, 55 percent of people with MS experienced pain at some point during the course of the disease. Half of patients that experienced acute pain will experience chronic pain. Pain is described as burning, aching or tingling, which are signs that pain is a result of nerve damage. Doctors commonly treat nerve related pain with anticonvulsants, such as Neurontin, or with antidepressants, such as amitriptyline. These medications affect how the brain reacts to nerve pain. Other medications may be prescribed if a patient has uncontrolled pain. Thus, regular office visits are necessary to make sure the initial symptoms of MS are under control.
