Multiple sclerosis, or MS, affects the central nervous system and can lead to problems with motor skills and sensation. The onset of symptoms for MS typically is between the ages of 20 and 40. Each person may develop different symptoms depending on the nerves that are impacted by the disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Numbness
At the onset of MS, people may feel numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, according to the Mayo Clinic. This usually occurs on one side of the body or on one half of the body. As noted on the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website, numbness or tingling is often the presenting symptom for many patients who are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Vision Changes
Optic neuritis is a common sign of the onset of MS. This condition is an inflammation of the optic nerve, which causes a loss of vision, as noted on the Mayo Clinic website. Optic neuritis usually only happens in one eye at a time and tends to improve on its own. Other vision problems that may occur at the onset of MS are double vision, color vision problems or rapid eye movements that cannot be controlled, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Difficulties With Coordination
At the onset of MS, patients may develop muscle weakness that makes it difficult to walk. The person may also develop tightness of the muscles or balance problems, which can cause an odd gait called ataxia, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Fatigue
For some patients, fatigue that is not related to any activity may be a symptom at the onset of MS, as published on the University of Maryland Medical Center website. This symptom may be worse in the afternoon and when the person's body temperature increases, according to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America.
Urinary and Bowel Problems
Patients with MS present problems with both bladder and bowel control, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society website notes that about 80 percent of patients with MS develop bladder control problems. Both constipation and diarrhea can be issues for patients newly diagnosed with MS.
