Numbness…fatigue…muscle spasms…loss of balance  

These symptoms may seem innocent enough. But when they start to add up, it can be a sign of something much more serious than people realize. We’re talking about MS symptoms. 

An estimated 2.3 million people are living with multiple sclerosis (MS). And the number could be even higher. There is no government-mandated reporting system for MS diagnoses, making it difficult to report their prevalence accurately, explains the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). 

MS is a complicated disease that poses unique challenges, both for patients and doctors. There is no single test to diagnose the condition accurately, and MS symptoms can vary widely from person to person, further obscuring the diagnostic process. 

According to Healthline, the notion of a “typical” MS symptom doesn’t exist. The debilitating disease affects every individually differently. MS symptoms aren’t always present and actually can disappear over time. The presence of MS symptoms is often associated with which nerves the immune system attacks. 

Common MS Symptoms 

Some people experience only a few symptoms of MS, while others are plagued by far more. The occurrence of symptoms is ever-changing and fluctuates over time; many patients go through cycles characterized by a period of few or no symptoms, and then a flare-up of symptoms. 

Some the most common symptoms of MS include: 

• fatigue (roughly 80 percent of people with MS experience varying degrees of fatigue that interfere with their daily lives, according to the NMSS);
• muscle spasms and stiffness (anywhere in the body, but particularly in the legs);
• numbness and tingling;
• weakness;
• loss of balance;
• difficulty walking;
• pain, both acute and chronic;
• double vision or blurry vision;
• eye pain;
• dizziness and vertigo;
• bladder dysfunction;
• constipation, diarrhea and other bowel issues;
• emotional issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, mood swings and anger;
• difficulty concentrating; and
• memory problems. 

Keep in mind that having a couple of the above symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean that you have MS. Likewise, the absence of the symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean MS isn’t present. 

For proper diagnosis and treatment, discuss any symptoms you may experience with your physician or specialist. You also can call the NMSS at 800-344-4867 for a list of helpful local MS resources. 

Other Symptoms of MS 

MS is a disease of the central nervous system. It affects the brain and all the neural pathways spread throughout the body. MS symptoms are dependent upon the location where the disease affects the nerves, which is why symptoms vary so widely. 

The NMSS shares some of the less common symptoms and their prevalence in MS patients: 

• speech issues such as slurred words, pauses between words and nasal speech (in up to 40 percent of MS patients);
• difficulty swallowing;
• migraines;
• difficulty breathing;
• tremors;
• pins and needles sensations;
• itching;
• seizures (in up to 5 percent of MS patients); and
• hearing loss (6 percent). 

Secondary and Tertiary Symptoms of MS 

Like many chronic diseases, MS can cause a wide range of secondary and tertiary symptoms or trickle-down symptoms that occur as a result of other MS symptoms. 

According to the NMSS, a few examples of secondary symptoms of MS include: 

• rashes from itching;
• urinary tract infections from bladder dysfunction; and
• loss of muscle tone, poor posture and bone density problems as a result of inactivity. 

Tertiary symptoms are essentially the effect the symptoms and having a chronic disease have on various facets of your life. MS symptoms can cause complications in your social life and relationships, as well as with your work, how you carry yourself in society and your self-perception. 

For instance, if you have problems with motor function and mobility, it might interfere with job performance. Bladder issues affect self-confidence and discourage many people attending social functions. 

Talk to a doctor about any symptoms to discuss possible treatment options. People suffering from MS also benefit from mental health counseling and treatment. Many secondary symptoms can be treated, although the goal of treatment will be to address the primary symptoms first, in hopes of preventing secondary complications. 

Diagnosing MS 

If you experience symptoms of MS, it’s important to see your physician immediately because early diagnosis and treatment can slow the progression of the disease. 

When you visit your physician, he or she will begin by reviewing your symptoms and asking about family medical history. The physician will ask you a series of questions, perform a physical examination and may refer you to a specialist. 

While there is no one specific medical test to diagnose MS, doctors can use a variety of tests to confirm MS, including: 

• MRIs;
• spinal taps;
• optical coherence tomography (non-invasive and painless imaging tool that views retinal structures behind the eye); and
• evoked potential tests (assess electrical activity in the brain). 

The NMSS explains that there are three criteria that must be present in order for doctors to confirm an MS diagnosis: 

• there must be at least two areas of the central nervous system that are affected;
• the damage must have occurred on two separate occasions; and
• all other diagnoses have been ruled out. 

Good News for MS Patients 

MS research and treatments have come a long way in the past two decades, and medical advancements on the horizon are extremely promising. There are many effective treatments available now that enable people with MS to live full and happy lives. 

Neurologist John Wilson explains on Everyday Health: “If I have to say one thing about MS, it is that it is treatable. Gone are the days when we had to stand by and watch the disease progress without being able to treat it. There are a number of medications available and more in the pipeline. Today’s medications are effective in reducing the symptoms and the progression of the disease.” 

Neurologist Matthew McCoyd offers further encouragement: “Except for rare cases of progressive disease, data from the past 20 years now show that people with MS can expect to live full and normal lives with no drop in life expectancy.”

Staying on top of treatment, reducing triggers and maintaining a good support system are some of the keys to living a full life, despite the presence of MS.