MS Symptoms

The MS symptoms and signs vary depending on the specific nervous fibers affected. Some common symptoms of MS are:

-Numbness or weakness which usually affects one or more limbs, usually on one side of the body at a time, or localized to the lower half of the body.
-Partial or complete loss of vision which usually affects one eye at a time, often associated with eye pain on movement.
-Blurring or double vision.
-Tingling, or pain in different parts of the body.
-Fatigue, Lethargy, Dizziness, or general lack of coordination.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is a common debilitating neurological disease that may affect over 1 million people world wide. MS is characterized by what is thought to be an autoimmune disorder during which the immune system launches an autoimmune attack on the central nervous system (CNS) which leads to destruction of the myelin sheaths which insulate nerve fibers within the CNS. An autoimmune disorder is when your body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue and thus leads to diseased states. MS sometimes leads to permanent damage to nervous tissue within the body, and can lead to blockage of nervous impulses which are required for normal muscle coordination, strength, sensation, and vision.

In addition to the MS symptoms listed above, many people with MS may also develop muscle stiffness or spasticity, slurred speech, problems with the bladder, bowel or sexual function; as well as paralysis. There are also mental symptoms associated with MS, such as forgetfulness and decreased concentration.

Causes and Risk Factors

MS is thought to be caused by an autoimmune attack on the cells which form the myelin sheaths around your neural fibers. The myelin sheath is essentially an insulating fatty layer which has a similar effect on nerve fibers as the rubber sheath around electrical cords. These myelin sheaths insulate the neural pathways, and when they are disrupted or destroyed during MS, nervous signaling to and from the CNS can be blocked and impaired, leading to the symptoms associated with MS. It is thought that there are genetic factors which make some people more predisposed to developing MS, and there are also environmental and geographical factors that are considered to be of significance as well. For example, it is thought that since MS is more common amongst peoples of Northern European descent, it must have genetic factors, but many researchers believe that MS is also reliant on certain environmental triggers like Epstein-Barr virus infection. MS is also more common amongst populations in the temperate climates of the world, including Europe, Southern Canada, Northern United States, and Southeastern Australia; for reasons unknown.

When should you consult a Physician?

If you suffer from any of the MS symptoms, you should consult a physician as soon as possible in order to rule out any serious complications. Usually the doctor will prescribe watchful waiting in the event that you suffer a single MS like episode. Diagnostic techniques include MRI's as well as cerebrospinal fluid tests, and antibody assays.

What are the treatment options, and how can you cope?

In the event that you or one of your loved ones is diagnosed with MS, there are a number of treatments available. Some of them try to slow the frequency of immune attacks on the CNS through the use of Interferons, while others block the passage of immune cells through the blood brain barrier. Still other treatments simply suppress the immune response. Until this point, some success has been attributed with Interferon treatments, as well as blood brain barrier blockers like Tysabri. Even though there are a number of symptomatic treatments for MS, there still is no definite cure.

In any case, in the event that you are diagnosed with MS, you should first make sure you reduce stress from your life as much as possible. If you can retain your normal functionality, you will be able to enjoy life more thoroughly and stave off many of the more daunting psychological effects of this disorder. Only through hope can you heal.