Symptoms and signs in multiple sclerosis are as varied as the disease itself. The severity of symptoms can also vary greatly from person to person.
The symptoms always depend on which areas of the central nervous system are affected and what effects this leads to.
First signs of multiple sclerosis
At the onset of MS, the following symptoms often appear:
- Sudden visual disturbances, due to optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve) – occurs in about 30 percent of people with the disease
- Sensory disturbances, such as tingling, sensory deafness or numbness.
- Bladder disorders
- Uncertainty when walking, muscle weakness
Multiple symptoms possible
Ultimately, all areas of motor and sensory function in the body can theoretically be affected by multiple sclerosis. Symptoms of MS can be similar to those of other neurological conditions, such as Lyme disease, brain tumor or herniated disc. Symptoms depend on which parts of the central nervous system are affected.
Common, typical symptoms include:
- Movement disorders with spasticity and tremor (shaking).
- Bladder and bowel dysfunction
- Visual disturbances with double vision
- Fatigue (premature exhaustion)
- Heat sensitivity
- Cognitive impairment (memory impairment)
- Sensory disturbances (tingling in arms/legs).
- Speech disorders
- Dizziness
- Depression
- Sexual dysfunction
Typically, the symptoms of multiple sclerosis are physical disorders that develop within hours and days, due to one or more new foci of inflammation. Such a so-called relapse usually subsides within weeks – the corresponding function recovers completely (in about 75 percent of cases) or permanent limitations remain as a result of scarring.
Course of MS
When and how often symptoms occur also depends on which form it is. Three different courses of multiple sclerosis are distinguished:
- Relapsing course
- Chronic-progressive course
- Chronic progressive course
The relapsing form of progression is the most common. Symptoms present during a relapse usually resolve within six to eight weeks. On average, one to two relapses occur per year.
If multiple sclerosis is not treated, the relapsing form of the disease usually changes to the chronic progressive form after ten years. In this case, the symptoms continue to increase, but the limitations do not completely disappear.
In the primary chronic form of progression, which occurs in only about ten percent of people with MS, the symptoms continue to worsen from the beginning without any definable relapses. This form of multiple sclerosis occurs predominantly in people who develop the disease after the age of 40.
