An autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis is also known as 'demyelinating disease' according to the New York Times. It damages the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve cells, reducing their ability to process nerve impulses. Rather than experiencing the disorder from birth, most sufferers begin to notice symptoms between the ages of 20 and 40, reports the Mayo Clinic. Early awareness of symptoms can help with identification and treatment options.
Muscular Symptoms
Multiple sclerosis affects muscle control and muscle sensation, notes the New York Times. The Mayo Clinic offers that numbness, tingling or weakness in one or more limbic muscle groups is a warning sign. Other muscle-based symptoms from the New York Times include facial pain, muscle spasms, problems with coordination and fine motor skills control, tremors in the muscles and problems with moving limbs and walking.
Eye and Vision Symptoms
The Mayo Clinic provides that partial or total loss of vision can be caused by multiple sclerosis, although it usually only affects one at a time. Pain with eye movements and double vision are also symptoms named by the Mayo Clinic. The New York Times adds uncontrollable rapid eye movements and generalized eye discomfort to this list.
Dizziness
Multiple sclerosis sufferers complain of dizziness according to both the Mayo Clinic and the New York Times. This is considered a persistent sign of the disorder.
Mental and Emotional Symptoms
Short attention spans, memory loss and difficulty with problem solving are signs of multiple sclerosis according to the New York Times. It adds emotional symptoms as well, including depression and feelings of sadness.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a progressive symptom of multiple sclerosis reported by the Mayo Clinic and New York Times. The New York Times reports that the feeling of fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis generally peaks in the afternoon hours.
Sexual Dysfunction
The New York Times lists sexual dysfunction as a symptom of multiple sclerosis for both men and women. In women, this manifests as trouble with vaginal lubrication, while men may experience erectile dysfunction.
Temperature Sensitivity
The basic symptoms of multiple sclerosis are often aggravated by a change in temperature, notes the Mayo Clinic. Those with multiple sclerosis will find that as a result of the disorder, they are much more sensitive to changes in temperature and that such changes can bring on an attack of other symptoms.
