From the Guidelines
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including fatigue, vision problems, numbness and tingling, muscle weakness, balance and coordination issues, and cognitive changes, as noted in the 2018 espen guideline clinical nutrition in neurology study 1. The symptoms of MS can be highly variable and may change over time.
Common Symptoms of MS
Some common symptoms of MS include:
- Fatigue: Often described as overwhelming tiredness
- Vision problems: Such as blurred vision, double vision, or partial vision loss
- Numbness and tingling: Particularly in the arms, legs, trunk, or face
- Muscle weakness: Which can affect mobility and coordination
- Balance and coordination difficulties: Including problems with walking or fine motor skills
- Cognitive changes: Such as issues with memory, attention, or problem-solving
- Bladder and bowel dysfunction: Including frequent urination or constipation
- Pain: Which can be chronic or acute
- Spasticity: Muscle stiffness and involuntary muscle spasms
- Speech problems: Such as slurring or difficulty articulating Less common symptoms may include:
- Tremors
- Hearing loss
- Seizures
- Breathing difficulties
- Swallowing problems
- Sexual dysfunction
- Mood changes: Including depression or mood swings It's crucial to understand that MS is highly variable, and not all patients will experience all of these symptoms, as also suggested by the 2001 recommended diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis study 1.
Importance of Proper Diagnosis
If you experience persistent neurological symptoms, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis, as emphasized in the 2001 study 1. A diagnosis of MS requires objective evidence of dissemination in time and space of lesions typical of MS, as well as the exclusion of other explanations for the clinical features, as noted in the 2001 study 1.
From the Research
Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
The symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can vary widely due to the semi-random distribution of lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) 2. Some common symptoms include:
- Unilateral optic neuritis
- Partial myelitis
- Sensory disturbances
- Brainstem syndromes such as internuclear ophthalmoplegia
- Physical disability
- Cognitive impairment
- Decreased quality of life
- Spasticity
- Spasms
- Cramps
- Pain
- Gait disturbances
- Sleep disturbances
- Bladder dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Tremor
Pathophysiology of MS Symptoms
The symptoms of MS are related to a loss of function due to demyelination and axonal loss in the CNS 2. During relapses, symptoms are caused by a failure of axonal conduction at the site of the lesion(s). Remissions are related to a recovery of function of the affected axons owing to a spreading of sodium channels along the demyelinated axolemma, cerebral functional plasticity, and remyelination.
Types of MS Symptoms
MS symptoms can be categorized into different types, including:
- Negative symptoms, which are related to a loss of function, such as weakness, numbness, and vision loss
- Positive symptoms, which are related to an acquired hyperexcitability of demyelinated axons, such as paresthesias and Lhermitte's sign 2
- Spasticity-Plus Syndrome, which involves a cluster of symptoms apart from spasticity itself, including spasms, cramps, pain, gait disturbances, sleep disturbances, bladder dysfunction, fatigue, and tremor 3