1. Issues with vision
According to Jennie Valles, an attending neurologist at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital in White Plains, New York, vision loss in one eye—which can be painful—occurs frequently. “The optic nerve is an extension of the brain, and MS attacks the central nervous system,” the speaker claims.
2. Modifications in cognition
Approximately thirty percent of MS patients already had memory problems at the time of diagnosis, and over fifty percent of patients experience cognitive abnormalities of some form. Additional cognitive issues associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) can include difficulty focusing, processing new information, and verbal fluency (the ability to quickly come up with appropriate phrases).
3. A feeling of constriction
Known as the “MS hug,” many patients report having the sensation of a blood pressure cuff or girdle being tightened around their torso. It could persist for a few minutes or much more, and it could feel acute or dull. It is thought to be brought on by brain abnormalities that lead to the misinterpretation of sensory data or by spasms in the muscles between the ribs.
4. Tingling or numbness
Another symptom of MS that is very prevalent is numbness in the arms, legs, or, less frequently, the face. According to Valles, “it’s more likely to be loss of sensation than pain.” Such numbness, though not usually severe, might make it difficult to write, walk, dress, eat, or carry out other daily duties.
5. Problems with balance
Vertigo is the term for the feeling that a room is spinning or that you are lightheaded if MS has affected areas in the brain that coordinate visual and spatial input.
Such problems can be caused by a wide range of other health issues, so you shouldn’t assume that one (or even several) of them indicate MS. All of these symptoms, however, call for additional research.
Valles cautions that a number of symptoms linked to multiple sclerosis may potentially be signs of a stroke. The primary distinction is that stroke symptoms appear quickly and necessitate prompt medical intervention.