Multiple Sclerosis causes damage to the myelin that covers nerve fibers in the central nervous system and causes messages sent from the brain to the body to be disrupted. MS damage to the central nervous system, consisting of the brain and spinal cord, means that the effects can potentially be seen anywhere in the body. However, the symptoms of MS vary greatly from one individual to the next. Although there are many MS symptoms, it is unlikely for any on individual to experience them all, notes the National Health Service, and some MS symptoms are very uncommon.
Hearing Loss
Approximately 6 percent of people with MS experience hearing loss, notes Everday Health, and complete deafness due to MS is very rare. This infrequent symptom can be caused if the auditory nerve is damaged by the MS process. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends that individuals with MS who experience hearing loss should undergo a complete screening to rule out other causes, since hearing loss due to MS is so rare. However, MS is still listed as a cause for sudden hearing loss, also called SHL, along with migraines and other neurological conditions.
Seizures
Although seizures can potentially occur in individuals with MS, they are very rare. The National MS Society notes that estimates of the incidence of seizures for people with MS range from 2 percent to 5 percent, which isn't that different from the incidence of seizures in the general population, which is about 3 percent. Seizures in MS are the result of atypical electrical discharges in a brain area injured or scarred by MS. Fortunately, most seizures can be controlled by medication. Due to the fact that seizures are a less common MS symptom, other potential health condition that could be the cause of the seizures should be ruled out.
Itching
In rare cases MS can cause an itching sensation which is called dysesthetic itching, notes Everyday Health. Dysesthetic itching results from MS damage to the skin nerves, or to nerve pathways, or both. Therefore, individuals with this symptom feel itching sensations even with no physical causes. The National MS Society notes that itching is part of a family of abnormal sensations that are of neurologic origin, collectively known as dysesthesias, that can also include sensations like "pins and needles," burning, stabbing, and tearing.
Dysphagia
If the nerves responsible for the swallowing mechanism are damaged, problems swallowing can result. The National MS Society lists swallowing problems, or dysphagia, as a less common MS symptom. Dysphagia can cause serious problems because eating and drinking could result in choking or food being inhaled into the lungs, which can result in infection or pneumonia, which is another serious MS complication. However, a speech pathologist is usually recommended for individuals with dysphagia because they can teach technigues to improve swallowing ability and address speech difficulties, which often accompany dysphagia, notes Everday Health.
