What symptoms occur with Multiple Sclerosis?

Early symptoms and sporadic symptoms can be many different complaints. These can include dizziness, loss of balance, loss of vision, double vision, weakness, numbness, slurred speech, and others. In essence, the types of symptoms that present depend on where the “plaque” attack targets. As the disease progresses, other symptoms can occur. These chronic complaints can include fatigue, depression, urinary loss of control, memory loss, among others. Chronic symptoms develop as the number of “plaques” increase in the brain and spinal cord, and are often referred to as the “disease burden”.

There are also different types of MS depending on how symptoms present over time. The most common type is relapsing-remitting MS. In this form, symptoms come and go, often lasting anywhere from days to months. Eventually the symptom complex subsides, or almost returns to normal, and function is regained. How often a relapse occurs is what defines disease activity. Generally speaking, two relapses a year of more define active MS in terms of treatments. A less common form is chronic progressive MS. In this variety, symptoms present gradually and never subside, but instead slowly decline while new symptoms may occur. This variety is more difficult to treat. The third variant is fortunately rare. It is acute progressive MS. In this form, symptoms come on rapidly and progressively, usually resulting in significant disability quickly. More aggressive approaches are needed for this type, and it also is difficult to control.

As a general rule, individuals that initially have “sensory” symptoms like numbness, tingling and mild dizziness tend to have less severe forms of Multiple Sclerosis. Likewise, the later in life one is at onset usually predicts a milder disease type. Many options of treatment now exist that ameliorate the severity and duration of the symptoms, the frequency of “attacks”, and the development of disability. In addition, there are many things that can improve the disease through changes in diet, nutrition and lifestyle.