Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Early Warning Signs and Types

Over half of people with MS experience some kind of short- or long-term pain.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that causes demyelination, or disruption of the substance that coats and protects nerve cells, in the spinal nerve and brain cells. The specific symptoms and severity of the disease are related to the exact areas of the nervous system that are affected and the extent of the damage to the myelin. Therefore, MS can cause many different kinds of signs and symptoms in areas throughout the body.

Multiple sclerosis occurs predominantly in younger persons, with those aged 15 to 60 most commonly diagnosed with the condition. The average age of diagnosis is about 30 years; however, multiple sclerosis has been identified at all ages but is rare in children.

Is MS hereditary?

People who have a first-degree relative with MS tend to have a slightly higher risk for developing the disease, but overall, genetic or hereditary factors are not believed to play a significant role in determining who develops MS.

While many of the symptoms of MS are not associated with pain (see below), painful involuntary muscle contractions can occur in some people with MS. The burning and tingling sensations of MS can also be painful. In total, over half of all people with MS report experiencing some kind of short-term or long-term pain.

The early signs and symptoms of MS depend upon which areas of the brain or spinal cord are affected. Therefore, symptoms can vary greatly among individuals. Not all people with MS will have the same symptoms.

Examples of possible symptoms include one or more of the following:

1. Vision changes
2. Double vision
3. Blurred vision
4. Loss of vision
5. Numbness
6. Tingling
7. Burning or stabbing sensations
8. Weakness that can be mild to severe
9. Painful involuntary muscle contractions
10. Paralysis
11. Vertigo
12. Dizziness or lightheadedness
13. Erectile dysfunction in men
14. Pregnancy problems in women
15. Urinary problems
16. Urinary retention
17. Incontinence of urine
18. Urinary frequency
19. Urinary urgency
20. Nocturia (night-time urination)
21. Slurred speech
22. Constipation
23. Changes in sex drive or sexual response
24. Tremors
25. Headaches
26. Itching
27. Swallowing difficulty
28. Fatigue
29. Muscle spasms
30. Poor muscle coordination
31. Gait disturbances
32. Hearing loss
33. Balance problems
34. Cognitive changes
35. Difficulty concentrating
36. Problems with reasoning
37. Memory problems
38. Reduced attention span
39. Difficulty with problem-solving
40. Emotional changes
41. Anxiety
42. Depression
43. Stress

Any of the early signs and symptoms of MS can occur in both men and women and are not specific. However, certain symptoms such as pregnancy problems or erectile dysfunction (ED, impotence), are gender-specific symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of MS progression can include worsening of any of the signs and symptoms mentioned above as well as the development of additional symptoms listed above that were not present at the initial diagnosis.

There are four different types of MS:

1. Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is the most common form of MS. People with this type of MS develop symptoms that respond to treatment and then resolve. Episodes of remission may last for weeks to years.
2. Secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) occurs when the symptoms of an exacerbation don't fully resolve during a remission.
3. Primary-progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) progresses over time, without episodes of remission.
4. Progressive-relapsing multiple sclerosis (PRMS) occurs when there are escalating symptoms over time along with intermittent episodes of remission.