Fatigue

Fatigue is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis. Fatigue affects around 80% of individuals with MS. This symptom can cause difficulty in doing everyday tasks required at work, school and home.

Vision Problems

Double vision, pain in the eye and/or blurry vision can come on suddenly in a person with multiple sclerosis. Optic neuritis occurs as a result of inflammation of the optic nerve. A person may experience blindness in one eye or blurry vision as a result of optic neuritis.

Impaired Mobility

A person’s mobility may be limited due to problems with walking, coordination and balance. The most common cause of gait difficulty is muscle weakness. Other causes include spasticity, fatigue and numbness in the feet.

Spasticity

Spasticity occurs due to muscle spasms and stiffness. There are varying degrees of spasticity dependent upon each individual. Spasticity can create pain and stiffness in the joints. The most common area which is affected by spasticity is the legs. These muscle spasms can also contribute to pain in the lower back.

Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction

Individuals with multiple sclerosis often experience bladder dysfunction which can be urinary frequency/hesitancy, incontinence and frequent urination at night. Bowel dysfunction can cause constipation and/or diarrhea.

Pain

Chronic pain can be a common issue for people with multiple sclerosis. Nearly half of all individuals with MS experience chronic pain. The specific pain syndromes which may occur in multiple sclerosis are trigeminal neuralgia, Lhermitte’s sign and dysesthesias.

Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction can occur in individuals with MS due to damage to nerves which act as messengers between the brain and sexual organs. Sexual arousal and the ability to reach orgasms are affected which can lead to conditions such as erectile dysfunction. It is also important to consider other factors which can contribute to sexual dysfunction such as spasticity or fatigue.

Cognitive Impairment

Multiple sclerosis can affect high-level functions of the brain. Common cognitive problems include difficulty with learning and memory and the impaired ability to plan and organize. A person may also experience difficulty with problem-solving skills, maintaining attention and language skills. Emotional problems such as depression may also occur.

Dysphagia

Dysphagia is swallowing problems which occur as a result of nerve damage. A person should be cautious about the possibility of choking or coughing due to food going into the lungs. Aspiration pneumonia is a possible complication of multiple sclerosis which is caused due to food passing into the lungs.

Multiple sclerosis can affect an individual on many levels. The symptoms which result from MS depend upon where the damage has occurred. As multiple sclerosis affects each person differently, it is important to consult with a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.