The Symptoms of MS
MS has the potential to cause several different symptoms and the specific symptoms each person experiences vary greatly. When experiencing one or more of these symptoms, individuals should consult their physician. Medications are available to treat many MS symptoms. These may include over-the-counter drugs as well as prescribed medications. Diet, exercise, counseling, and lifestyle/ wellness therapies, may also be helpful with managing certain symptoms. All treatments are best accomplished through the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.
MS symptoms are often compounded by fatigue, sometimes relating to a rise in body temperature. Some symptoms may be temporarily increased by heat intolerance – a classic MS tendency – where a rise in temperature (internally or externally) causes a person to feel much worse. Keeping cool through air-conditioning or various cooling devices, such as those offered by MSAA’s Cooling Distribution Program, may be helpful for people with heat-sensitive MS. Please visit mymsaa.org/cooling for details.
When recovering from a symptom flare-up or learning to cope with a change in mobility, rehabilitation through physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy can be of great value. Speech therapy, therapeutic exercise, and certain medical devices may also be useful in dealing with the symptoms of MS. Some of those who have a physically demanding or highly stressful job may choose to make a career change, in which case vocational training is helpful.
When a family member is diagnosed with MS, participating in some type of counseling program is often of benefit to everyone involved. Individuals may be affected in different ways, both physically and emotionally. Seeking professional assistance for the entire family can help with understanding the symptoms of MS and the ways in which family life may be affected, along with positive coping strategies.
A wide variety of symptoms can occur with MS, and everyone is affected by MS differently. To help categorize the effects of MS, MSAA has listed the commonly experienced symptoms alphabetically in three groups, as follows:
Common Physical Symptoms of MS
- balance problems
- bladder dysfunction
- bowel problems
- mobility and walking issues
- spasticity (stiffness)
- sexual dysfunction
- speech difficulties
- swallowing disorders
- tremor
Common Emotional, Mental, and Psychological Symptoms of MS
- anxiety
- cognitive changes
- depression
- Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA – a neurologic effect characterized by sudden, uncontrollable expressions of laughter or crying without an apparent trigger)
Common “Invisible” Symptoms of MS
- dizziness/vertigo
- fatigue
- MS hug (a strong and sometimes painful temporary squeezing around the torso)
- numbness
- pain
- sleep issues
- Uhthoff’s syndrome (the temporary appearance of symptoms resulting from heat stress)
- visual disorders
- weakness
For more information on symptom management and handling the challenges of MS, please visit mymsaa.org/symptoms. MSAA offers several helpful publications and videos, which may all be found on MSAA’s website at mymsaa.org. Additionally, MSAA’s Client Services Specialists are available to provide resources and support. To speak with a Specialist, please call (800) 532-7667, extension 154 or email MSquestions@mymsaa.org.