What does an MS attack feel like?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder in which your own antibodies (autoantibodies) start attacking and destroying the nerve cells of your body. This disease affects the central nervous system, which is responsible for various functions including, balance, and coordination.
MS is a progressive neurological condition that waxes and wanes, i.e., the symptoms keep occurring at certain intervals. The symptom-free periods are known as remissions and when the symptoms return, the recurrence is referred to as an attack, exacerbation, or relapse.
The main feature of MS is symptomatic episodes that reappear after several months or years.
During an MS attack, you may experience some symptoms you have had before getting worse, or some new symptoms appear.
These can include:
- Sensory loss: Tingling and numbness are seen in the fingers and toes. This is the earliest symptom.
- Muscle related symptoms: cramps and tightness in the muscles
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- A triad of abnormal speech, abnormal eye movement, and hand tremor
- Problems with balance and coordination
- Visual disturbances
- An uncontrollable urge to pee, bladder incontinence
- Bowel incontinence
- Trigeminal neuralgia: face pain
- Pain
- Intolerance to heat
How does multiple sclerosis begin?
The brain sends signals to various organs of the body through nerve fibers. These nerve fibers are enveloped in a fatty cover known as the myelin sheath.
MS starts developing when your immune system attacks the myelin sheath and destroys it. The process is known as demyelination results in damaging the nerve cell and, subsequently, the functioning of the nervous system gets disturbed.
What exactly triggers the immune system in MS is unknown. But it has been observed that many of the MS attacks happen after stressful events. Scientists have also speculated the role of multiple factors, including genetic factors and environmental factors in the development of MS.
What are the four stages of MS?
While doctors cannot predict how MS goes through various stages, they have identified four basic MS disease courses (also called types or phenotypes) as follows:
- Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS): CIS is the first attack of neurologic symptoms of MS. People who experience the first attack of MS may or may not progress to the full spectrum of MS.
- Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS): This is the most common disease course and is diagnosed in 85% of MS patients. Attacks (relapses or exacerbations) are followed by periods of partial or complete recovery (remissions) with no apparent progression.
- Secondary progressive MS (SPMS): Initially, SPMS has remissions and relapses as in RRMS. Some people with RRMS will eventually experience worsening of the disease and progress to SPMS.
- Primary progressive MS (PPMS): From the beginning, this disease course progresses without apparent remissions or relapses.
Is depression a side effect of MS?
Getting diagnosed with MS can make you depressed. While physical symptoms include losing balance and coordination while doing daily activities and memory loss, they may also lower your confidence and make you feel down.
Depression can be one of the symptoms of MS. This depression is due to damage to the nerve cells of your brain that control your mental state.
Depression in MS can be a side effect of the medications for MS such as interferon. It is important to discuss with your doctor if you are feeling depressed so that he can modify your treatment and refer you to a counselor.
SLIDESHOW
What Is Multiple Sclerosis? MS Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis See SlideshowTop What Does an MS Attack Feel Like Related Articles
MS (Multiple Sclerosis) vs. ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease) and MS (multiple sclerosis) are both diseases of the nervous system (neurodegenerative). ALS is a disease in which the nerve cells in the body are attacked by the immune system, although it's not considered an autoimmune disease by some scientists. MS is an autoimmune disease in which the insulated covering of the nerves (myelin sheath) in the CNS (central nervous system) degenerate, or deteriorate.
Scientists don't know the exact cause of either problem. However, they have discovered that mutations in the gene that produces the SOD1 enzyme were associated with some cases of familial ALS. Scientists also theorize that multiple sclerosis may be caused by infection or vitamin D deficiency. ALS occurs between 50-70 years of age (the average age of occurrence ALS is 55), and mostly affects men. While MS occurs between 20-60 years of age, and mostly affects women. About 30,000 people in the US have ALS, and an average of 5,000 new diagnoses per year (that's about 15 new cases per week). Worldwide, MS affects more than 2.3 million people, with about 10,000 new cases diagnosed each year (that's about 200 new diagnoses per week).
Some of the signs and symptoms of both diseases include muscle weakness, muscle spasms, problems walking, fatigue, slurred speech, and problems swallowing. ALS signs and symptoms that are different from MS include problems holding the head upright, clumsiness, muscle cramps and twitches, problems holding objects, and uncontrollable periods of laughing or crying. MS signs and symptoms that are different from ALS include vision problems, vertigo and balance problems, sexual problems, memory problems, depression, mood swings, and digestive problems.There is no cure for either disease, however the prognosis and life expectancy are different. Multiple sclerosis is not a fatal condition, while ALS progresses rapidly and leads to death.
Alternative Treatment (CAM) for MS
The term alternative therapy, in general, is used to describe any medical treatment or intervention that has not been scientifically documented or identified as safe or effective for a specific condition. Alternative therapy encompasses a variety of disciplines that range from diet and exercise to mental conditioning to lifestyle changes.
Baclofen Pump
The medication baclofen treats symptoms of spasticity in patient with MS. Side effects of baclofen include sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and confusion.
Botox to Treat Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Botulinum toxin is a muscle-relaxing medication used to decrease spasticity related to multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions. Botulinum toxin is derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. There are three types of botulinum toxin available for therapeutic use.
Can Stress Cause Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) results when your immune system attacks the cells of the brain and spinal cord. It is an autoimmune disease, a condition in which the body's immune system is misdirected and attacks its own cells. Stress can make it difficult for a person to manage MS symptoms. Regular exercise and mindful eating have been found to control the stress levels and overall health of people with MS.
Is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Contagious?
Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a degenerative disease of the covering around the nerves in the central nervous system (CNS). Researchers and doctors don't know the exact cause, but many theorize that it may be due to environmental triggers, an autoimmune disease, and viruses (infections). Symptoms and signs of MS include vision changes, paralysis, vertigo, heat intolerance, slurred speech, sexual dysfunction, and urinary incontinence (the inability to urinate). There's no vaccine or cure for MS, but the progression and symptoms of the disease can be treated.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Symptoms and Treatments
Multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms vary from person to person and can last for days to months without periods of remission. Symptoms of MS include sexual problems and problems with the bowel, bladder, eyes, muscles, speech, swallowing, brain, and nervous system. The early symptoms and signs of multiple sclerosis usually start between ages 20-40. MS in children, teens, and those over age 40 is rare. Treatment options for multiple sclerosis vary depending on the type and severity of symptoms. Medications may be prescribed to manage MS symptoms.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple sclerosis or MS is an autoimmune disorder in which brain and spinal cord nerve cells become demyelinated. This damage results in symptoms that may include numbness, weakness, vertigo, paralysis, and involuntary muscle contractions. Different forms of MS can follow variable courses from relatively benign to life-threatening. MS is treated with disease-modifying therapies. Some MS symptoms can be treated with medications.
Making an MS Friendly Home
Adults with multiple sclerosis may be at risk for injuries, hazards, and falling at home. Some simple home modifications can protect your health and safety and facilitate fall prevention. Reduce your risk of accidents and prevent hazards with these tips.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Pregnancy
Multiple sclerosis or MS is a central nervous system disease in which the immune system attacks the myelin sheath (the protective coating around nerves). Symptoms of MS include pain, sexual problems, fatigue, numbness and tingling, emotional changes, and depression.Women who are pregnant and have multiple sclerosis may have more difficulty carrying a pregnancy. Multiple sclerosis does not affect ability to conceive, and does not seem to affect fertility. MS symptoms during pregnancy may stay the same or get better; however, they may worsen after giving birth. Pregnancy decreases the number of relapses, but flares increase in the first 3-6 months after delivery. Pregnant women with MS may carrying a pregnancy more difficult to tell when labor starts, and there is an increased need to use forceps or vacuum to assist with delivery or b7 C-section (Cesarean birth) increases.
Some treatment MS drugs may be safe to use during pregnancy; however, some drugs should not be taken, for example, baclofen (Gablofen, Lioresal), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), or solifenacin succinate (VESIcare), and most disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).
Talk with your healthcare team about vitamins, supplements, and medications that you are taking if you are pregnant and have MS.
MS Quiz
Multiple Sclerosis is a debilitating neurological condition. Take the MS Quiz to test your knowledge of the causes, symptoms, risks and treatments.
MS Slideshow
MS is an autoimmune disease that attacks the nerves of the central nervous system. Learn about multiple sclerosis (MS) causes, symptoms, and treatment, along with diagnosis and life expectancy.
Famous Faces of MS
Learn about celebrities, such as Montel Williams and Jack Osbourne, who are living with multiple sclerosis.
Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Picture
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis may be single or multiple and may range from mild to severe in intensity and short to long in duration. See a picture of Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms and learn more about the health topic.
Who Is at High Risk for Multiple Sclerosis?
The cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) is not known. But scientists believe that a combination of various factors may put an individual at a higher risk for MS. These factors include immunologic factors, environmental factors, low vitamin D levels, smoking, obesity, Epstein-Barr virus, genetics, and the female gender.