What is MS?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease affecting the central nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord. In MS, the body's own immune system attacks the protective sheath surrounding the nerve fibers, called myelin. When the myelin is damaged, inflammation occurs, disrupting nerve signals between the brain and the rest of the body. MS can affect many different functions and often appears in:
- The brain
- The optic nerves
- The spinal cord
Common symptoms of MS
Symptoms of MS vary greatly between individuals because they depend on where in the nervous system the inflammation is located. Symptoms often occur in periods, known as relapses (or flares). Here are common signs:
Early and common symptoms
- Visual disturbances: Blurred vision, pain during eye movement, or double vision (often in one eye at a time).
- Sensory disturbances: Numbness, tingling, or a "pins and needles" sensation in the arms, legs, or face.
- Weakness: Muscle weakness that may cause you to drop things or walk unsteadily.
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue): An overwhelming exhaustion that cannot be rested away.
Symptoms when the spinal cord and nerve pathways are affected
- Balance problems: Dizziness and difficulty coordinating movements.
- Stiffness (spasticity): Muscle tension that can be painful.
- Bladder and bowel problems: Difficulty emptying the bladder or sudden urges to go to the toilet.
- Cognitive changes: Difficulties with memory, concentration, and planning daily life.
Why do people get MS?
The exact cause of MS is not yet fully known, but research points to a combination of several factors:
- Autoimmunity: The immune system mistakes the body's own tissue for foreign substances and attacks it.
- Heredity: There is a certain genetic predisposition, although the risk of children of MS patients developing the disease is low.
- Environmental factors: Lack of sunlight and low levels of vitamin D are linked to a higher risk; smoking and certain previous viral infections, such as glandular fever (mononucleosis), are also thought to increase the risk.
- Age and gender: MS usually debuts between the ages of 20 and 40 and is more common in women than in men.
When should you seek medical care?
Contact healthcare services if:
- In the event of sudden neurological loss (e.g., vision loss or numbness), you should seek emergency care immediately.
- You have recurring periods of extreme fatigue and weakness without a clear cause.
- You experience that your balance or coordination has significantly deteriorated.
How to find out if you have MS
Diagnosing MS requires a thorough investigation by a neurologist. This includes a clinical examination of reflexes, sensation, and strength, and often a spinal fluid test (lumbar puncture).
The most important method for confirming MS is an MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain and spinal cord. With MRI, one can see the typical changes, known as plaques or lesions, that occur when the myelin is damaged. An MRI is crucial both for making the initial diagnosis and for following up on disease activity and seeing how well a treatment is working.
