There are various types of multiple sclerosis and each one has different characteristics, RRMS multiple sclerosis or RRMS MS is the most commonly diagnosed type with around 85% of people having this version of the disease.
This type of MS is known as relapsing and remitting; in these cases the symptoms come and go in bouts, and the period of time between attacks can be weeks or even years. The relapse phase is when a new or old symptom presents itself for a period of at least 24 hours. A relapse will usually start relatively quickly over the course of a few hours or days, and in general will last for around four to six weeks, however it could be as short as a few days or as long as a few months. In most cases people will recover from it, but from time to time some problems will remain, although they are usually only slight.
What can bring about an RRMS multiple sclerosis?
Medically there is no sound evidence that any one particular thing or event will trigger a relapse, however many patients can identify triggers; but what triggers one person’s relapse may not trigger another’s. RRMS multiple sclerosis or RRMS MS triggers can be things such as:
Stress – The link between a relapse and stress is not 100% as of yet, but many sufferers do attribute stress as the main factor when they relapse.
Infection – Bacterial infections such as bladder issues can increase the risk of a new attack.
Pregnancy – During the pregnancy relapses will be less and may not happen at all, however in the first few months after giving birth the risk of an attack does increase.
Differentiating between an one-off symptom and RRMS multiple sclerosis
People who suffer with RRMS multiple sclerosis or RRMS MS will from time to time experience one off symptoms, such as balance issues and fatigue, however this does not mean that it is the onset of a relapse attack. It is usually difficult to tell the difference in the first few years, but as time goes on patients become attuned to the signs and signals of a relapse and can identify the one offs as nothing to be concerned with.
In order for new symptoms to be classed as a relapse they will need to have occurred for a minimum of 24 hours. It is worth remembering though that not everything is related to MS condition and the symptoms maybe unconnected, however it is always advisable to get it checked by a medical professional.
