There are many different symptoms of a MS episode. These symptoms of a Multiple Sclerosis episode can be divided into three groups, which are primary, secondary, and tertiary. Each symptom group leads to the next. For example, a common primary symptom is loss of bladder control. This symptom can usually evolve into the secondary symptom of a urinary tract infection. In contrast, a tertiary symptom is usually psychological and can be stress and embarrassment. One of the aims of treating the primary symptoms with medication and methods is to reduce the need of treating secondary or tertiary symptoms.
There is a variety of MS symptoms that can be experienced but some of the common ones are the ones listed below: sensations such as tingling or numbness in the face or in a limb, a loss of balance, double or blurred vision, or feeling a weakness in arms, legs, hands, or feet. However there are some additional, less common symptoms such as: cognitive difficulties, slurred speech, lack of coordination, or a sudden occurrence of paralysis.
An episode that produces these symptoms can come and go. Some multiple sclerosis episode symptoms can disappear for years at a time and in fact, many patients will talk about having recurring symptoms for a long time before they ever went to a doctor.
Four Types of MS
Each episode can vary in intensity and length. Most common type of a MS is Relapsing-remitting MS. In fact, between 75 and 85 percent of patients who are diagnosed with MS will experience symptoms of RRMS first. There is a wide range of these symptoms and they can vary from mild to severe. These symptoms can come and go for days or even years at a time and can include such symptoms as a tingling, a numbness, fatigue, weakness, and lack of coordination. There are over 50 symptoms which are associated with this illness but most people will not have all of them at the same time. Patients who have RRMS will experience a remission period which can last for a long time when they do not experience symptoms and then they will have a relapse happen when symptoms reappear.
After RRMS, secondary-progressive MS will usually develop and will be characterized by a very similar pattern of relapse and remission. However, the symptoms will get much worse as well as the associated disabilities, and they may remain even between cycles. SPMS is usually diagnosed 10 years after the original diagnosis of RRMS.
While only 10 percent of the people diagnosed by MS will suffer from Primary-Progressive MS, it is important to know that in this form there will be no remissions any more, just a slow but certain progression of the illness itself in which symptoms will only grow worse in intensity.
When it comes to an MS episode, the rarest form is the progressive relapsing. This type of a Multiple Sclerosis episode occurs only in 5 percent of MS patients, but is also the most deadly form as the patients who are diagnosed with PRMS experience acute relapses and no remission whatsoever.
