MS Demyelination is the medical word for the loss of myelin; this substance is responsible for coating and insulating the nerve endings in various areas of the body such as brainstem, spinal cord and the back of the eyes.
When this wears away or is damaged, as in ms demyelination, the nerves cannot function properly and this leads to scarring, which is also known as sclerosis. Signals passed along a damaged nerve will take longer to reach their destination, even when the area has healed and remyelination has occurred. An area that has been affected and has scarring is usually referred to as having either lesions or plaques.
What are the main symptoms of ms demyelination?
If the onset of MS demyelination is slow, then it may not be obvious what is happening but some of the most common symptoms of the disease are as follows:
Visual Issues – this include blurred vision and pain behind the eyes, especially upon movement. It is estimated that around 55% of patients who have MS demyelination will have an attack that affects the eye at some point during the lifetime of the disease.
Dizziness and Vertigo – Feeling either dizzy, lightheaded or as if the world is spinning can be another symptom. However, it will usually be accompanied by other symptoms; alone these symptoms are more likely an attack of labyrinthitis, which is an infection of the middle ear.
Muscle related issues – these usually present themselves as muscle weakness, loss of control and in some cases balance, as a result of the weakened state. Pain, stiffness and spasms in the muscles are all very common with MS demyelination.
Pain and Fatigue – This is usually located in the arms or legs, as well as tightness around the stomach area. Fatigue is usually brought on by heat, or psychical activity, in some cases it presents itself as a more constant lack of energy.
Sensory – Strange and abnormal sensations can sometime occur such as numbness and tingling in the legs and arms. Some people may also experience a loss of heat perception and will be unable to feel anything that is hot or cold, which could then lead to burns.
Other possible symptoms of ms demyelination
There is a selection of other symptoms which are less common, such as depression and speech difficulties, as well as anxiety or paranoia, and the only way to know if the symptoms being felt are related to MS demyelination is to seek medical advice as soon as possible.
