Multiple Sclerosis is the most common of the demyelinating diseases, but the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) will vary from person to person.

At first there may only be an isolated symptom or a combination of several. The initial onset may only last for a short period of time and then be followed by a remission. However, as the condition progresses, the following disturbances and multiple sclerosis symptoms become apparent, depending on the areas of the brain and central nervous system affected. Incidence of multiple sclerosis, however, varies widely in different geographical areas. For example it is very low in the tropics but high in the temperate zones of both the northern and southern hemispheres.

Visual symptoms of MS

Involvement of the optic nerve may give rise to blurred vision, severe pain and tenderness of either one or both eyes. Double vision and nystagmus (oscillatory eye movement) or drooping of the eyelid may be present. In some severe cases of multiple sclerosis, blindness in one or both eyes has been known to occur on a temporary basis.

Motor and sensory symptoms of MS

General weakness and 'clumsiness' in one or both legs in the early stages are common. This might be indicated, for example, by toes catching on irregularities on the ground causing tripping. It may also be associated with a feeling of heaviness. There might also be numbness or tingling at the ends of hands and feet.

Bladder and bowel symptoms

Frequency, urgency and incontinence of urine can be of particular concern and is fairly common. On the other hand there may be retention of urine and constipation.

Sexual problems and symptoms

There may be partial or complete impotence. Lack of sensation and lack of vaginal lubrication will also cause distress.

Psychological and emotional symptoms

Euphoria, when it occurs, is quite significant. Depression is often present due to the emotional reaction to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and in some cases can become severe enough to require specific treatment.

Communication impairment

Slurred speech is not uncommon and will occur if the bulbar area of the brain is affected. The speech may become slow and deliberate with emphasis on each syllable.

A common picture of multiple sclerosis is therefore one of a variety of symptoms, such as an ataxic gait (clumsiness in walking), intention tremor, lack of coordination and loss of dexterity. The person becomes weak and easily fatigues. As the condition progresses he or she will become increasingly dependent on others.

Now read on - see the multiple sclerosis symptoms page at severe-brain-injury.com

Barbara Eastcairn writes about all the health issues which really matter to families and carers.

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1. What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease, that attacks the central nervous system, and can often be disabling to the victim.

2. How bad will my multiple sclerosis get and how fast will it progress?

The speed of progression, symptoms and the severity of the disease cannot be predicted since the disease is so variable from one person to the next.

3. How many people suffer from multiple sclerosis in the United States?

Approximately 350 Million people, in the United States alone, have multiple sclerosis.

4. How frequently is multiple diagnosed in the United States?

On average, about 200 new cases of multiple sclerosis are diagnosed, each week, in the United States.

5. What are some of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis?

Symptoms are widely variable but include things like extreme fatigue, impaired vision, slurred speech, bad balance and coordination, bladder and bowel problems, trouble walking, muscle weakness and coordination issues, cognitive difficulties, depression, tremors and, in some cases, even partial or complete paralysis.

6. Is multiple sclerosis fatal? Will I die from multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is NOT a fatal disease. The average life expectancy for a person with MS is approximately 90% - 95% of the normal life span.

7. Will I need a wheelchair because of my multiple sclerosis? What about a cane or a walker?

Roughly 75% of people with multiple sclerosis never require a wheelchair. Approximately one third of the people with MS will eventually require some sort of walking aid though, such as a cane or a walker.

8. Can a family member get multiple sclerosis from me? Is multiple sclerosis contagious?

MS is not contagious and you cannot get MS from being around a person who has MS.

9. If I have multiple sclerosis, will my children also have multiple sclerosis? Is multiple sclerosis inherited?

MS is not inherited but if a family member has multiple sclerosis, your odds of getting it do increase.

10. How do you cure multiple sclerosis? Is there a cure for multiple sclerosis?

There is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis. Much research and study is underway to attempt to isolate a cure but that could still be many years off.

11. What drugs are used to treat multiple sclerosis?

The drugs that are aproved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, as of this writing, are Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, Rebif, Tysabri and Novantrone. These drugs are all aimed at slowing the progression of the disease. They do not treat the symptoms of the disease. Symptoms are treated with various drugs as needed to treat specific problems.

When people find out that I have multiple sclerosis, many people have the question, “What is multiple sclerosis?”.

Multiple sclerosis is widely believed to be an autoimmune disease, and it impacts the central nervous system, which includes the spinal cord, optic nerves and brain. It is, according to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, “the most common neurological disorder diagnosed in young adults”. This disease damages the central nervous system by attacking the insulating material, called myelin, that protects the nerves. When this material is damaged, the white matter surrounding the nerve fibers becomes hardened and those hardened areas are called plaques. These plaques are basically scar tissue that forms and they can slow the nerve impulses to the body. This, in turn, leads to nervous system incoordination.

Let me help you visualize this. The brain is like a very powerful computer that controls your entire body. To communicate with the body, the brain uses the equivalent of wires, which are the nerves in your body. When you want to move your toes, a message is sent from the brain to the toes telling them to move. This signal travels from the brain, down the nerves, in the spinal cord, and signals the toes to move. This is normally a very efficient communication system because the nerves are very well insulated. This insulation is the myelin, which is a fat and protein mix. This myelin is a coating on the nerves, much like the rubber insulation on a wire, and allows the electrical impulses to flow effectively.

For some reason, the myelin is attacked in people with MS and leaves hardened areas that look scarred. Another name for that scar is a sclerosis, thus the name Multiple Sclerosis, which literally means multiple scars.

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are those that would indicate a damaged or irritated central nervous system. The symptoms are very similar to other neurological disorders such as stroke, trauma, tumors and migraines. Since the symptoms are so similar to these other disorders, it requires a certain level of expertise and knowledge to properly identify multiple sclerosis. For those who are knowledgeable, though, it is not really all that difficult to diagnose.

Some of the symptoms of MS are things like numbness, blurred vision, double vision, tingling, weakness, fatigue, clumsiness, pain, cognitive issues, dizziness, stiffness and muscle spasms. These symptoms come and go and are not predictable or consistent. One day, a person may have great difficulty walking and a few days later be walking fine again.

Sometimes these attacks, known as ms exacerbations, leave permanent damage. Sometimes the condition improves leaving only some damage and sometimes there are no obvious signs of damage at all, and a complete recovery is seen. This unpredictability is one of the worst parts of the disease for the victim.

There is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis. There are, however, several medications approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. These treatments include the drugs Avonex, Betaseron, Rebif, Copaxone, Tysabri and Novantrone. Some of these are taken by self-injection and others are administered intravenously at the doctor’s office. There are also clinical trials underway in hopes of developing an approved drug in pill form to be taken orally but there is no definitive proof, yet, of the effectiveness.

So, what is multiple sclerosis? It’s a neurological disorder that can be severely disabling. What is multiple sclerosis? It’s an autoimmune disease that effects the central nervous system. What is multiple sclerosis? It’s a degenerative disease that affects over 350,000 people in the United States alone.

Multiple sclerosis is all these things. It’s still being researched, there is no cure and the cause is unknown. It is still, mostly, a medical mystery with no cure.

Those of us who suffer from multiple sclerosis have great hope that a cure will come soon. Continuing research is needed to achieve this goal and both donations and increased government funding into research can help accomplish this.