Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
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Symptoms may range from mild to severe. Symptoms depend on what nerve tissue has been affected. You may experience symptoms that improve and then come back later (sometimes called exacerbations).
Central Nervous System
Symptoms of MS include:
- Numbness or tingling in the legs, arms, face, or extremities
-
Impaired vision in one or both eyes, including:
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
- Loss of vision
- Changes in color perception
- Pain around the affected eye / pain with eye movement
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Muscle stiffness and spasms
- Muscle weakness
- Poor coordination or falling
- Trouble walking or maintaining balance
- Paralysis in one or more limbs
-
Bladder problems including:
- Urgency
- Hesitancy
- Incomplete emptying
- Incontinence
- Bowel problems, including constipation or, less commonly, incontinence
- Sexual dysfunction
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty swallowing
- Forgetfulness, memory loss, or confusion
- Trouble concentrating or solving problems
- Depression
- Other psychiatric disorders
- Euphoria or inappropriate emotional responses
Factors that may trigger or worsen symptoms include:
-
Internal or external heat, including:
- Hot weather
- Hot baths or showers
- Fever
- Overexertion
- Infection
References:
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/ .
National Multiple Sclerosis Society website. Available at: http://nationalmssociety.org/ .
Last reviewed July 2008 by Rimas Lukas, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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