{"id":2928,"date":"2018-10-02T21:56:05","date_gmt":"2018-10-02T21:56:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/besthealth.guide\/?p=2928"},"modified":"2021-10-13T04:57:34","modified_gmt":"2021-10-13T04:57:34","slug":"15-early-signs-of-ms-crucial-to-catch-in-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/15-early-signs-of-ms-crucial-to-catch-in-time\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Early Signs of MS Crucial to Catch in Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Multiple sclerosis (often abbreviated to simply MS) is an increasingly common health condition estimated to affect as much as 2.5 million people worldwide. While there is no cure, symptoms can be managed if the condition is diagnosed early \u2013 and there\u2019s a lot of research being put into new treatments that could make life with multiple sclerosis easier for those who have been diagnosed.<\/p>\n

The onset of the condition is known to be sudden and can start at any point in someone\u2019s life \u2013 so a close eye should be kept on factors such as a family history of the disease or an increase in symptoms mentioned on this list.<\/p>\n

If you suspect MS, make an appointment with your doctor and seek the help of local support groups in your area that can be of great use.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the symptoms and early signs of MS crucial to catch in time.<\/p>\n

1. Balance\/Dizziness<\/h3>\n

One of the first signs that you could be at risk for MS is a lack of balance or sudden dizziness<\/a> when you don\u2019t expect it to happen. There are many other things that could cause this, including problems with your ears or issues with your hips, but you should take note when it\u2019s combined with any of the symptoms that are mentioned in this piece \u2013 especially if it keeps happening to you.<\/p>\n

This lack of balance can be a dangerous symptom in itself and could be the cause behind a very nasty fall \u2013 or a fatal accident. Even when it isn\u2019t caused by MS, this is a symptom that you should get checked out if it\u2019s happening to you often.<\/p>\n

Visit your doctor if you are able to combine several of the associated symptoms on this list at the same time, especially if you have an associated family history of MS and can consider yourself at a higher risk of being diagnosed yourself.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

2. Bladder Dysfunction<\/h3>\n

Bladder<\/a> dysfunction is a symptom that many people tend to associate with getting older and losing control over important muscles as they get weaker over time, but it\u2019s something that can happen to you at any point in your life \u2013 and if it happens when you\u2019re younger, it\u2019s a definite cause for concern.<\/p>\n

This can happen in many situations, and sometimes it can take people a while to notice that they\u2019re losing control over their bladder more often \u2013 or that they tend to find it harder to \u201ckeep it in\u201d when they go up or downstairs, cough or laugh.<\/p>\n

Losing control over your bladder is an embarrassing health problem at any possible age, but it\u2019s something that should be examined by your doctor if it\u2019s been happening to you. It could easily be an early warning sign for MS and point to the fact that the disease is causing more (and often faster) degeneration.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

3. Bowel Dysfunction<\/h3>\n

The same thing that can happen to your bladder muscles if you have MS could also happen to your bowels<\/a> if you have the health condition; almost needless to say, you should note any changes in your bowel movements if you want to stay healthy \u2013 and any changes in consistency or frequency should be noted and mentioned to your doctor, even if you consider it to be a little embarrassing.<\/p>\n

Bowel dysfunction can also be considered to be a broad term and could refer to anything from sudden-onset diarrhea through to sudden constipation for no reason \u2013 or complete or partial loss of the muscles that control the bowels, which is also common in many circumstances.<\/p>\n

Bowel dysfunction is a very common symptom for people diagnosed with MS \u2013 and again, it means that the process of muscle degeneration has started, and you should get yourself to a doctor if these symptoms has started happening to you, even if no other symptoms might be present.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

4. Cognitive Impairment<\/h3>\n

Simple cognitive ability is something that most people tend to take for granted in their daily lives \u2013 but you\u2019ll notice it the moment it\u2019s no longer there or starting to decline. Cognitive impairment is one of the most common symptoms associated with MS, and it\u2019s one of the most common symptoms that make people take a closer look at their health and finally make an appointment with their doctor.<\/p>\n

Cognitive<\/a> impairment can show in many ways, though the first thing people usually notice is the fact that they are becoming more and more clumsy over time \u2013 they\u2019re dropping things a little more often, and it might even be getting hard to perform simple tasks with your hands.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s true that most people don\u2019t notice cognitive impairment (or try to ignore it when they do) until someone points it out to them \u2013 so pay attention if anybody has been pointing out small things like this to you more recently. Any kind of cognitive impairment is a sign that something is wrong with your health.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

5. Depression<\/h3>\n

Depression is a health condition on its own, and it affects thousands of people worldwide; it\u2019s the one health condition that really doesn\u2019t discriminate, and it can affect anyone at any point for any amount of time. While it\u2019s true that depression is considered a standalone health condition, it can also be considered a symptom just as much \u2013 and if you have been experiencing more frequent episodes of depression, it\u2019s important that you make an appointment with your doctor and find the cause.<\/p>\n

Depression<\/a> is associated with a huge percentage (if not the majority) of MS cases because of the lesions a hormonal changes that go along with the condition \u2013 and if it\u2019s been affecting you, make an appointment before the symptoms of your condition worsen or start to overwhelm you.<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s a condition on its own or a symptom of another, depression can be managed with the right medication and coping techniques.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

6. Fatigue<\/h3>\n

Fatigue<\/a> can be simplified to mean tiredness, but anyone who has ever experienced it will know that the definition encompasses a lot more: Fatigue means that you are more than tired, fatigued means that you are exhausted beyond tired \u2013 and fatigue can stand in the way of your life. It can even lead to accidents and medical emergencies like people falling asleep at the wheel.<\/p>\n

Fatigue doesn\u2019t have to be related to the amount of sleep you\u2019re getting: For most people, you could experience bouts of fatigue even if you have gotten the recommended amount of sleep and then some. This is because fatigue is about more than just how tired your body is \u2013 it almost always points to an underlying medical condition.<\/p>\n

Combined with the other symptoms mentioned on this list, fatigue can be an early warning sign of MS \u2013 particularly if the fatigue is a constant occurrence over a long period of time.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

7. Difficulty Walking<\/h3>\n

One of the things that doctors look for when diagnosing MS in patients is their gait \u2013 this refers to the way they walk. There are plenty of health conditions that can be said to have a characteristic gait to them, including Parkinson\u2019s Disease and Alzheimer\u2019s<\/a>. This happens because of the neurological nature of the conditions: It affects your brain, and this is why it will start to affect the way you walk. This is one of the things that doctors are trained to look for \u2013 and will be able to spot before the other symptoms of MS have even kicked in.<\/p>\n

If you experience any difficulty walking where you were absolutely fine with it before, then you should consider getting yourself tested for MS \u2013 especially if you can combine any symptoms or note additional risk factors such as a family history: Parents have a 5 to 10% chance of passing on the disease to another.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

8. Dry Mouth<\/h3>\n

Having a constant dry mouth<\/a> is a symptom that most people tend to ignore or simply mask by keeping some kind of fluid (whether water or fruit juice) near them at all times \u2013 and people tend to brush this symptom off with excuses by thinking that it could just be the heat or the new medication they have been taking.<\/p>\n

This can be true, but if the condition of a dry mouth doesn\u2019t go away and you start to lose basic motor functions, then you have a definite reason to look at the potential of having MS. It takes a simple test by your doctor to establish whether or not you have the condition, and once this is done then you can move on with your life knowing how to manage your condition.<\/p>\n

When seeing your doctor and reporting a dry mouth as a symptom, remember to mention some of the most important things that can be of help to your doctor, like when the symptom started or when you notice it happening most.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

9. Pain<\/h3>\n

Pain is a symptom very commonly associated with MS, and it\u2019s experienced by the majority of people diagnosed with the condition. The pain is due to the nerve damage caused by MS, and the pain doesn\u2019t have to be related to any physical injury \u2013 it can be seen as nerves firing wrong in some cases, and this can be managed with the right medication.<\/p>\n

Pain associated with MS can also come from other sources, such as muscle spasms and cramps. It\u2019s not restricted to a single part of the body, either, and individuals have reported pain occurring in various parts of the body. Sometimes this pain manifests as stinging, other people report it as more of a burning sensation<\/a> \u2013 pain is different for every single person.<\/p>\n

This symptom can be due to the progression of the disorder, and this is a very serious potential symptom. It could also function as an early warning sign, and you should note this to your doctor if it has been happening to you.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

10. Sensory Impairment and Numbness<\/h3>\n

Sensory impairment is one of the most common symptoms people associate with MS, and it\u2019s one of the symptoms that will likely appear when the disease is still in the beginning stages \u2013 but will become worse or more intense as the condition progresses over time.<\/p>\n

This sensory impairment can take many different forms, and as pain, it\u2019s a symptom that everyone who experiences it will describe differently. For some, sensory impairment and associated nerve damage will feel like numbness or tingling, and other times it will instead feel like a burning sensation \u2013 but, technically, they\u2019re all part of the same symptoms.<\/p>\n

If you experience any kind of burning, numbness<\/a> or tingling in any part of your body and it persists for a long time, then you should see a doctor as soon as you can: It\u2019s almost always a sign of an underlying problem, and likely relates to your body\u2019s nervous system even when it\u2019s not a diagnosis of MS.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

11. Sexual Dysfunction<\/h3>\n

Sexual dysfunction can sometimes be one of the first early warning signs associated with an MS diagnosis, and you should visit your doctor immediately if you have experienced any kind of problems in the bedroom that have persisted for a while.<\/p>\n

Sometimes these symptoms can be because of something emotional like depression or stress<\/a>, and other times it can be something physical \u2013 sexual dysfunction can be caused by a massive range of diseases and disorders, including a simple heart condition that\u2019s affecting the flow of blood.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a symptom that many people try to ignore for long periods of time because they find it embarrassing to discuss things like sexual issues with their doctor \u2013 but this can only do your health more harm than good, and you should visit your doctor immediately if you experience any associated symptoms on this list. This is true even when you experience only one symptom mentioned here!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

12. Tremor<\/h3>\n

A slight or pronounced tremor can also be one of the most common symptoms associated with MS, and tremors can go hand-in-hand with the loss of motor coordination that\u2019s associated with the disorder. If you have developed a tremor, then you should make an immediate appointment with your doctor to find the cause: It\u2019s not necessarily MS, but it could be \u2013 and that\u2019s enough to get yourself tested.<\/p>\n

Tremors<\/a> can start slight \u2013 and this is what makes most people ignore the symptom or attribute it to something else like stress or carpal tunnel \u2013 but when you start to combine it with any of the other symptoms associated with MS, then you\u2019re in a danger zone and you shouldn\u2019t ignore these combined symptoms as a possible warning sign.<\/p>\n

Here it\u2019s very important to note a potential family history of conditions that could have associated tremors \u2013 including MS and Parkinson\u2019s Disease \u2013 and mention this to your doctor during your appointment.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

13. Uhthoff’s Phenomena<\/h3>\n

Uhthoff\u2019s Phenomena is a symptom that goes hand-in-hand with a lot of disorders, and if you experience this in any way, shape or form then it\u2019s likely indicative of an underlying condition that\u2019s affecting your health \u2013 and it\u2019s more likely to be an early warning sign of MS if you can combine it with several of the symptoms mentioned on this list.<\/p>\n

In simple terms, Uhthoff’s phenomena are also known as heat intolerance \u2013 and it can mean that you have developed a sudden sensitivity to heat. Some people develop the other side of this and will instead develop a sensitivity<\/a> to cold \u2013 or will end up being unable to control their body temperature as well as they\u2019re used to.<\/p>\n

Any kind of temperature intolerance combined with symptoms on this list could be an early warning sign for MS \u2013 and could point to the fact that you should get yourself and your family tested, even if you might not have a known family history of the disorder.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

14. Weakness<\/h3>\n

If you start to experience any kind of muscle weakness over a long period of time, then you should make an appointment with your doctor to find the root cause. If you suspect that the cause could be MS (likely if several symptoms on this list can be combined at the same time) then you should mention this to your doctor and have them run a few, simple and non-invasive tests.<\/p>\n

Muscle weakness<\/a> is due to the way MS affects the motor abilities, and it can become worse as the disease progresses \u2013 but it can also be managed if the condition is caught early enough and the symptom treated with rehabilitative therapy.<\/p>\n

If you spot this symptom in yourself or someone else, particularly combined with other symptoms such as a tremor or different gait, the disease will likely already have started to affect your body \u2013 and a doctor\u2019s appointment is not something that you should postpone.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

15. Dysphagia<\/h3>\n

Dysphagia<\/a> is known as the medical term for a patient who experiences difficulty swallowing \u2013 and this is a symptom that\u2019s closely associated with the nerve and muscle degeneration that goes together with MS. Difficulty with swallowing is a symptom that most people fail to notice at first, and only start to think about once it becomes a serious, more recurring problem \u2013 or results in a choking scare.<\/p>\n

You might experience difficulty swallowing only once every so often when you try to take a sip of something or a bite of food seems to \u201cgo down the wrong way\u201d \u2013 these things can be early warning signs of MS, and are especially a cause for concern when combined with any other related health issues.<\/p>\n

Experiencing dysphagia is a dangerous health condition especially due to the fact that it presents a choking hazard \u2013 and this could lead to injury or death. If it\u2019s becoming a more recurring issue, make an appointment with your doctor and have yourself tested for MS \u2013 it\u2019s a simple test, and it could change your entire life for the better being able to put a name (and a treatment) to what\u2019s wrong with your health.<\/p>\n\r\n

<\/div>