Nearly 1 million Americans are living with multiple sclerosis. Signs and symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis vary vastly and depend on the amount of nerve damage taken and which nerves are affected. People with severe cases may lose the ability to walk on their own or at all, while others may experience long periods of remission without any new symptoms.
What Is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis is a neurological autoimmune disease that affects the brain and the spinal cord. MS is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. Studies suggest it begins with the immune system attacking the myelin. Myelin is the insulation that protects the part of each brain cell that transmits electrical impulses to the rest of the body.
Did You Know?
Here are some facts that many people don’t know about Multiple Sclerosis.
- Women have about three times the risk of developing MS as men.
- MS can be difficult to diagnose. In fact, symptoms and single tests are not enough to definitively diagnose MS.
- MS is all about relapse and remission. Remission is a period of good health and little to no symptoms. This can last weeks, months, and even years, but there is always a relapse.
- There is a cognitive side to MS that many people don’t talk about. Since it is a neurological disease, it can effect both your cognitive thinking and your memory.
- MS is an invisible disease. Most of the time, you can’t tell if someone has MS because a lot of the symptoms aren’t visible.
- Doctors recommend that if you have MS, you make sure you keep cool because heat intolerance is a very common symptom. If you’re traveling to somewhere hot, make sure you pack a portable fan and cold compress.
- With relapsing-remitting MS, symptoms can come and go with periods of partial or complete recovery. With progressive MS, there is a steady increase in symptoms.
- There is no cure for MS. However, studies suggest there are effective medications and therapies to slow down the disease and alleviate symptoms.
Typical Early Symptoms Of MS
- Numbness in the face, body, arms, or legs.
- A squeezing sensation around the torso.
- Fatigue and brain fog.
- Stiffness or muscle spasms in the legs.
- Vision problems.
- Dizziness or the feeling that the room is spinning.
- Weakness and trouble walking.
- Depression: sudden mood swings.
While there is currently no cure for Multiple Sclerosis, there are still ways that you can help. By donating to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, you can aid research that can help those with MS cope with symptoms and live their best lives while we continue to look for a cure.
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