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If you're suffering from MS, you already know that your normal daily activities are very limited and are sometimes interrupted. That's why you need a good understanding of what the MS symptoms are, so that you'll be able to properly deal with them. The MS symptoms themselves are caused by your nervous system accidentally attacking your central nervous system or spinal cord nerve by mistake. These nerves control a number of other parts of your body, including your legs, arms, hands and even your eyesight. In this article, you'll learn about what triggers MS symptoms, how to treat them and what leads to developing MS in the first place.
MS is known to have no cure at this time, although there are ways to greatly reduce the symptoms you experience. Some MS experts believe that multiple sclerosis can actually be inherited through genes. Other experts believe that MS is something that runs in families. Still, other experts believe that MS is a progressive disease, which means that your chances of getting it increase each year since it's an incurable disease. Regardless, of what experts believe, knowing some MS symptoms is helpful so you'll be able to recognize them and seek medical attention.
MS commonly affects people as they get older, but it can also strike young or even middle-aged people. Typically, the most common MS symptoms are persistent tiredness and pain that often occur throughout the day. Sometimes, the pain seems too severe to be controlled, but you must try to remain calm. Tiredness and other problems make it hard to concentrate and lead normal lives. There may also be issues with vision, hearing and balance, making it difficult to do simple tasks such as picking up a cup of coffee or writing a letter.
MS symptoms may also include depression. If you have severe depression, it is important to visit a doctor to determine whether you are suffering from depression as well. Depression can significantly reduce your quality of life and may include feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, which can greatly affect your ability to perform even routine tasks, such as picking up your dry cleaning, working on your car or even talking on the phone.
Another one of the more common multiple sclerosis symptoms is difficulty walking. People with MS usually have trouble walking because their muscles are not coordinated in the same way as those without MS. This leads to muscle fatigue, which can further limit your activities. Limping may also occur if your MS causes you to repeatedly put weight on your legs.
When it comes to walking, it is important to try to find a way to exercise regularly. Even walking short distances, such as down a public street, can become difficult. Because MS often causes stiffness of the joints, sometimes even walking only a few blocks can be a challenge. If you have been experiencing these difficulties, consult your neurologist about developing an exercise program specifically for MS sufferers. Walking on a treadmill or using a stationary bike may help ease the effects of MS, as well as improve muscle strength and mobility.
Another of the MS symptoms can include loss of sight. One of the most common first signs of MS is loss of peripheral vision. In MS, the optic nerve is damaged in the macula, which controls your central vision, and causes blurry images. Loss of peripheral vision makes it harder to recognize faces and other visible things, such as when driving at night or when wearing contact lenses or glasses. A doctor can check for damage to the macula in a routine eye exam. However, if loss of vision has been experienced regularly and you have no family history of MS, your doctor will usually order an ophthalmologist's examination to rule out optic neuritis.
When MS begins to affect your day-to-day activities, talk to your healthcare provider about possible physical symptoms that may be associated with the condition. MS symptoms, such as weakness, can affect every area of your life, making it hard to focus, concentrate, or control reactions. MS can also make it difficult to walk or stand, and can lead to difficulty performing everyday tasks such as driving, shopping, or operating machinery. In some cases, weakness occurs only in one side of the body, while in other cases, it strikes both sides of the body at once. If you're noticing consistent MS symptoms, discuss them with your healthcare provider
