MS, or multiple sclerosis, is a complex disease that affects each person differently. There are several forms of MS, depending on whether your symptoms are constant and continually progressive, or if you have periods of remissions and flareups. Because this disease is so variable, it is very difficult to diagnose. Patients can go for years before knowing what is causing their symptoms. However, you can help your health care team by keeping track of any symptoms that may be suggestive of MS. This involves not only listing the symptoms but also tracking when they most often occur, what makes them better, what makes them worse and how long you have had them for.
Common Symptoms
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the most common symptoms include fatigue; numbness or tingling sensations in your face, arms, legs, fingers and toes; difficulty walking and maintaining balance; vertigo; and muscle weakness and tightness that leads to uncontrolled spasms.
Additional Symptoms
According to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, you may also experience blurred vision, red-green color distortion, bladder and bowel problems, trouble swallowing, pain in various areas of your body, difficulty concentrating and completing tasks, mood swings and depression. A classic sign of MS is that your symptoms become worse when you become hot, and then subside as your body cools down.
Other Symptoms
The National Institutes of Health states that you may also notice problems with slurred speech, tremors, paralysis, loss of memory, loss of hearing, sexual problems and blindness. There are medications that can help to manage multiple sclerosis and it is important to keep track of your symptoms and work with your doctor to find the right approach to help avoid serious complications.
