Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes damage to the myelin--a fatty substance that protects nerves--in the central nervous system. This leads to the disabilities associated with MS that can include a few or many symptoms. The symptoms may come and go over time, and until the disease is diagnosed, they may baffle the sufferer, as they are so diverse and unpredictable.
Nervous System
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of MS, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). It occurs in about 80 percent of people with the disorder, and can be severe enough to significantly interfere with personal and professional life. Dizziness can lead to lightheadedness or feeling off balance. Pain appears in more than half of MS patients. There is often facial pain, but pain can happen to other parts of the body. There may be problems with organizing, planning or problem solving because of decreased attention span or memory loss.
Muscles
Loss of balance, numbness of the face, body or extremities is common. It is often the first sign experienced by people eventually diagnosed with MS. There may be pain problems or weakness in one or both arms and legs. Difficulty walking is common for people with MS. A lack of coordination or unsteady gait, as well as tremors, can occur. Spasms in the muscles may start out as mild or as a feeling of tightness, later becoming painful, uncontrollable spasms of extremities.
Vision
Vision problems are often the first symptoms experienced by many MS patients. There may be double vision, poor contrast, blurring, uncontrollable eye movements, vision loss, and eye discomfort or pain. There may be partial or complete loss of vision in one eye at a time, with pain during eye movement. Vision problems are further compounded by the fear of losing one's eyesight.
Emotional Signs
There may be emotional changes because of unexplained symptoms. Later on this may lead to mood swings, irritability and uncontrollable emotional outbursts such as laughing or crying. Depression can be an early or later sign of MS. People are affected because they are not sure what is happening, or they can become depressed after being diagnosed with MS. There may also be sexual dysfunction, but this is difficult to diagnose in the early stages of MS because many people suffer from sexual problems. Sexual difficulties may stem from the central nervous system, but can also be caused by fatigue and psychological factors.
Bladder and Bowel Problems
Bladder dysfunction occurs in at least 80 percent of people with MS, the NMSS points out. There may be difficulty in urinating or frequent urinating, as well as problems with incontinence. Constipation, diarrhea, loss of control of the bowels, and other stomach and bowel problems may occur.
