Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord. MS causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the protective covering (or myelin) of nerves, which then disrupts the communication between brain and body. The severity and duration of MS symptoms vary greatly between patients.

MS causes the following early warning symptoms:

1. Vision problems
MS patients often suffer from blurred vision, double vision, or vision loss. As the disease progresses this could mean the patients lose freedom, such as driving.

2. Tingling and numbness
This may include a combination of muscle paralysis, muscle rigidity, stiff muscles, pins and needles, reduced sensation of touch. Some patients lose control of their extremities in the late stages of the disease.

3. Pains and spasms
MS patients often report involuntary movements, uncomfortable tingling and burning. Some are unable to control body movements, for example when trying to grab something the hand may spasm and miss. Tasks like writing may also become complicated if the patient is unable to fully control the use of the hands.

4. Weakness or fatigue
Even walking short distances start to become tiresome and patients may need to take frequent breaks, and become tired more easily without exertion.

5. Balance problems or dizziness
Patients may experience a range of balance issues such as difficulty walking, problems with coordination, clumsiness, vertigo, and dizziness when getting up from a seated position. Due to numbness patients may also start to lose feeling in the legs and feet, so walking becomes a difficult task, and may risk falls and injuries.

6. Bladder issues
MS patients may experience loss of muscle control that may extend to the leaking of urine, excessive urination, or incontinence and other urinary accidents.

Health professionals often prescribe a mix of MS treatment options such as physical therapy and medications that suppress the immune system. Corticosteroids and plasmapheresis are the main treatments for multiple sclerosis attacks. These medications can help with symptoms and slow the disease progression, but sadly, there is no cure. For primary-progressive MS there are a few infusion therapy options and those that get the treatment are only slightly less likely to progress than those who don’t. Aggressive treatment with these medications as early as possible can lower the relapse rate, slow formation of new lesions, and hopefully reduce risk of brain atrophy and disability. Like many medications, many of the disease-modifying therapies used to treat MS carry significant health risks. Selecting the right therapy for you is very important, which is why speaking with your Rheumatologist is important. Relapsing MS treatment is also available, and they include injectable and oral medications.