MS typically first comes to the attention of its sufferers when it manifests with neurological symptoms like numbness, tingling, and vision problems. These MS indications point to the damage done by the processes of demyelination to the nerve tissue.
The earliest symptoms of MS are of great importance for the simple reason that they are often the first obvious sign that all is not well. These MS indications include blurry vision or double vision, tremors, the inability to tolerate heat, numbness or tingling in the extremities, weakness in at least one extremity, an unsteady gait and incontinence. The coincidence of these symptoms often indicates that the basic problem is neurological and that it is likely to be multiple sclerosis: These particular symptoms are indicative of particular forms of damage to the nervous tissue that are typically associated with multiple sclerosis.
Additional MS Indications
The eye symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis entail, not just blurred vision or double vision, but also a change in the patient’s capacity to perceive color. Weakness in the extremities, yet another of many MS indications, can be partly attributed to mild spasticity. This weakness could be demonstrated in all four limbs in the most pronounced cases. In other cases of MS, the weakness is evident in only one limb.
With the progression of the disease comes the exacerbation of the earlier MS indications and the development of completely new ones. If the weakness in the extremities was previously limited, it may spread to the other extremities. Furthermore, there is increased evidence of spasticity in the muscles, which makes it difficult to walk. The patient’s gait becomes even worse. Balance and coordination also become bigger problems.
Incontinence becomes more pronounced as the disease progresses. This can result in complications like urinary tract infections. In addition to the blurry vision or double vision that developed earlier, other visual defects can develop. Not surprisingly, emotional issues are also associated with the progression of MS. They include anxiety, depression, extreme mood swings and extreme emotional reactions. These symptoms are primarily associated with the lesions on the patient’s nerve tissue and, to a lesser extent, with the effort of having to cope with worsening health.
The patient’s fatigue becomes even more pronounced, and the development of sexual dysfunction further complicates his or her life. In the case of a male patient, this involves erectile dysfunction. Other symptoms, which underline the fact that the disease has progressed significantly, include bowel incontinence, loss of hearing, and Bell’s palsy.
