Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system that interferes with the information flowing between the brain and the body. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2.3 million are living with Multiple Sclerosis today. Although Multiple Sclerosis occurs mostly in certain ethnic groups, anyone is susceptible to catching this disease. Life expectancy continues to increase with the onset of recent research and FDA approval of medications. These medications decrease the severity and the progression of the disease.
Early detection of Multiple Sclerosis is very important because it reduces the chances of long-term disability by reducing damage to brain tissue and nerve fibers. Early detection is also detected by knowing the signs and symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. Although symptoms vary from person to person and can be very unpredictable there are 8 signs to watch for when suspecting Multiple Sclerosis.
1. Eye Pain
Approximately 90 percent of individuals diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis will experience optic neuritis as one of their first symptoms. This condition is caused by inflammation in the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for transmitting vision to the brain from the eye. Optic neuritis causes eye pain in the affected eye accompanied with blurred vision and temporary loss of vision.
Another visual disorder that may impair vision is nystagmus. This is an involuntary eye movement that occurs when the individual looks sideways. The third visual disorder is diplopia. When the eye muscles become weak and uncoordinated, the patient incurs double vision, and in severe cases, impaired vision. The patient can reduce double vision by wearing an eye patch and resting their eyes. You may consult a healthcare provider who may prescribe steroids to treat neuritis and nystagmus.
2. Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps are a common symptom of Multiple Sclerosis. It is also referred to as spasticity. Spasticity occurs when the muscles contract causing tightness, stiffness and difficulty in movement. Severe cases cause painful spasms in the legs. Spasticity interferes with speech, gait and normal movement. This condition is caused by damage to the nerve(s). This damage causes loss of coordination and over active muscles. Although it commonly occurs in the legs, any muscle can be affected depending on the damage to the spinal cord and brain. Physical therapy that includes stretching the muscles improves spasticity by lengthening the muscles. Your healthcare provider can prescribe medication to treat spasticity.
3. Problems with Coordination
Worsening of your gait, walk and coordination may be significantly affected. Due to muscle weakness, your gait (which is the way you walk) may have abnormalities such as dragging your toe and dropping your foot, swaying, wobbly walking and stance, spasticity (tight rigid leg muscles and exaggerated knee jerk reflex), and sensory ataxia (which is inability to feel the floor) due to numbness in the feet.
Upon standing, there may be dizziness, lightheadedness and vertigo may occur decreasing your coordination and balance. Although some patients with Multiple Sclerosis may be reluctant or hesitate to seek physical therapist, proper evaluation and training will improve gait, coordination and balance. The therapist may evaluate the usage of ambulation aids.
4. Fatigue
Approximately 80% of Multiple Sclerosis patients experience fatigue. Fatigue is defined as an overwhelming lack of mental and physical energy. It is considered an invisible symptom because it cannot be seen and understood by friends and family. You may plan and pace activities so that you have energy for higher priority activities. In addition, participating in support groups and relaxation techniques may offer some relief.
Consult a health professional for occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy and medications. Therapy improves nervous system functions and teaches motor, social, personal, academic, vocational lifestyle skills and assistive device usage. Medications may be administered to help relieve fatigue and aid in sleeping.
5. Dizziness
Individuals with multiple sclerosis may experience dizziness and vertigo from lesions that interfere with the messages that the nerves send to the body. Vertigo accompanied with vomiting and nausea may also occur due to lesions on the part of the brain that controls balance. Symptoms include light-headedness, balance problems and the spinning feeling. In severe cases, the individual with have vision problems, hearing loss, tinnitus and difficulty in walking and standing.
6. Anxiety
Approximately 43 percent of individuals with Multiple Scleroses suffer from this symptom and many of them are women. Anxiety is a psychological disorder that occurs when the individual is overwhelmed with living with multiple sclerosis. Anxiety is caused by lack of social support and increased alcohol consumption. Severe anxiety accompanied by depression raises the suicide rate of those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are the most common symptoms. Other symptoms include chronic unhappiness, indecisiveness, anger, racing thoughts, out of control feeling accompanied with excessive worrying and guilt. Consult a healthcare for Psychotherapy. You will learn stress reducing techniques such as meditation. Your healthcare provider may prescribe an antidepressant or an anti-anxiety medication.
7. Depression
Depression is more common amongst people with multiple sclerosis than any other chronic condition. It can be brought on by damaged nerves in the brain, changes in the neuroendocrine and immune systems, side effect of medications. There is stress and grieving occurring in accepting the diagnosis and the anticipated loss of quality of life. Some symptoms of depression include profound sadness, problems focusing, changes in appetite, moodiness, and change in sleep habits.
Depression must be diagnosed and treated by a psychiatrist. The doctor may administer an anti-depressant and/or other medication(s) and provide psychological therapy.
8. Slurred Speech
Slurred speech is a common symptom of MS. It is caused by dysarthria which is a motor speech disorder caused by lesions in the brainstem that controls speech patterns connecting the spinal cord and the brain. These lesions reduce the coordination and control of the tongue, lips, mouth and cheeks and cause muscle stiffness. Slurred speech may also be accompanied by a difference in pronunciation, slow speech rate and loss of the melody sound in speech.
Dysarthria can vary from mild to severe and can be temporary or permanent. You should seek a speech pathologist to evaluate the severity of your condition and determine the best ways to treat it. Treatment may vary from medication for muscle stiffness, to exercises to help strengthen and control your muscles. For those unable to speak, assistive devices can be prescribed.
