Doctors define MS as a chronic autoimmune disorder, but patients define Multiple Sclerosis in other ways. Upon receiving a positive diagnosis of MS, some people take it in stride, while others lash out at the news as if they have just been handed a death sentence. The initial diagnosis is usually instigated because of certain symptoms a person is noticing. These can come and go over a period of many years; never increasing in intensity or disability. With more than 50 symptoms attached to Multiple Sclerosis, any number can manifest at one time. One person might exhibit only one or two mild symptoms and another person could have 5 or 6 severe symptoms. Everyone is different, so the disease affects each body differently too.
Symptoms of MS include; blurred vision, blindness in one eye, red-green color distortion, numbness in arms and legs or even the face, tingling, difficulty walking, poor sense of balance, lack of good muscle coordination, unusual fatigue, dizzy spells, difficulty problem-solving, poor organization in thought processes, depression, mood swings, irritable behavior, lack of bowel or bladder control, muscle spasms, loss of sensation, and weakness of limbs.
Any of these symptoms can occur during the course of the disease. Some are considered to be early signs of MS, but they may not show up until later on, depending on the individual. Of course there are other signs which are considered to be uncommon, yet they do still occur in some MS patients. These atypical symptoms include; problems with breathing, difficulty speaking, changes in voice, tremors of the limbs, and problems swallowing.
Management of MS Symptoms
Being able to effectively manage MS can be a trial and error issue. A myriad of medications were created to prevent relapses, manage existing attacks, and to change the course of the disease, yet not all work the same for each person. Due to the extent of the symptoms possible with this disease, more than one medication can be prescribed at a time. Tranquilizers and muscle relaxants are used to control muscle spasms, intravenous methylprednisolone and oral steroids are used for vision problems, depression is counteracted with antidepressants or amantadine, and muscle pain is remedied with acetaminophen. These are just a few of the medications prescribed for various MS symptoms.
People will continue to define MS in their own terms, despite the definitions provided by researchers. Everyone is affected differently, as are those around them. Doctors define Multiple Sclerosis types by the presence or absence of relapses, the amount of disability caused from lesions, and the presence or absence of symptoms. Besides the many medications used to treat symptoms, physical therapy can also be used to help ease some of the symptoms associated with MS.
