Ms how does it start

They must also determine that at least 1 month has passed between the episodes. These tests are also used to rule out other conditions. MS often astounds doctors because of how much it can vary in both its severity and the ways that it affects people.

Attacks can last a few weeks and then disappear. But relapses can get progressively worse and more unpredictable, and come with different symptoms. Early detection may help prevent MS from progressing quickly. Misdiagnosis is also possible.

MS is a challenging disorder, but researchers have discovered many treatments that can slow its progression and manage symptoms.

The best defense against MS is seeing your doctor immediately after you experience the first warning signs. Read this article in Spanish. Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis RRMS is the most common type of MS, characterized by periods of increased activity, or flares, and periods of…. Your diet, exercise routines, and medications all have an impact on relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis RRMS. These expert tips can help reduce….

Although there's no cure for multiple sclerosis MS , you shouldn't let treatment take a back seat. Learn why you should take control of your MS and…. Learning how your MS symptoms might impact your daily life and how to approach treatment can help you adjust to your diagnosis and your new normal. Here's what is currently known about the COVID vaccines and whether they are considered safe for those with multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis can suck some of the fun out of life, but dogs are pure joy.

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Learn more about these new medications as well as…. These have been shown to help reduce the number of attacks and…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.

Multiple Sclerosis. Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M. Early signs and symptoms of MS. Common MS symptoms. Less common MS symptoms. Secondary symptoms of MS. MS symptoms in women. MS symptoms in men. Vitamin D deficiency may be a potential cause for higher rates in women.

Men seem to have more neurodegeneration than women, or loss of nerve function. Secondary progressive MS and relapsing remitting MS tend to be more common in women than men.

Approximately equal numbers of men and women are diagnosed with primary progressive MS. Women tend to have more MS lesions , or scar tissue. Men tend to have more cognitive issues in later stages, though sometimes fare better with attention tasks. Pregnancy has been associated with a temporarily lowered risk of relapse, but some treatments may not be advised while pregnant. Menopause tends to lessen sex-related differences in later MS diagnoses. What is a healthful diet for a person with MS?

Find out here. Studies have suggested that cannabis may help relieve pain, muscle stiffness, and insomnia. However, there is not enough evidence to confirm this. People considering this approach should note that there is a difference between using street cannabis and medical cannabis. Also, not all forms of cannabis are legal in all states. A person should ask their doctor for advice before using cannabis, as some forms can have adverse effects. Smoking cannabis is unlikely to be beneficial, and it may make symptoms worse.

Some people have suggested that biotin may help. Find out more here. Physical therapy: This aims to provide the skills to maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability. Occupational therapy: The therapeutic use of work, self-care, and play may help maintain mental and physical function. Speech and swallowing therapy: A speech and language therapist will carry out specialized training for those who need it.

Cognitive rehabilitation: This helps people manage specific problems in thinking and perception. Vocational rehabilitation: This helps a person whose life has changed with MS make career plans, learn job skills, and get and keep a job.

Plasma exchange involves withdrawing blood from a person, removing the plasma, replacing it with new plasma, and transfusing it back into the person. Studies have produced mixed results. Scientists are looking into the use of stem cell therapy to regenerate various body cells and restore function to people who have lost it due to a health condition. Researchers hope that one day, stem cell therapy techniques may be able to reverse the damage done by MS and restore functionality in the nervous system.

MS is challenging to live with but is rarely fatal. Some severe complications such as bladder infections, chest infections, and difficulty swallowing could lead to death. A multiple sclerosis prognosis does not always result in severe paralysis.

Two-thirds of people with MS are able to walk. However, many of them will require assistance such as a cane, wheelchair, crutches, or a scooter. The average life expectancy for a person with MS is 5 to 10 years lower than the average person. MS is a potentially severe health condition that affects the nervous system. Progression of MS is different for each person, so it is hard to predict what will happen, but most people will not experience severe disability. In recent years, scientists have made rapid progress in developing drugs and treatments for MS.

Newer drugs are safer and more effective, and they offer significant hope for slowing disease progression. As researchers learn more about genetic features and changes that occur with MS, there is also hope that they will be able to predict more easily which kind of MS a person will have and establish the most effective treatment from the earliest stage.

A person who receives appropriate treatment and follows a healthful lifestyle can expect to live the same number of years as a person without MS. It is important to have support from people who understand what it is like to receive a diagnosis of and live with MS. MS Healthline is a free app that provides support through one-on-one conversations and live group discussions with people who have the condition.

Download the app for iPhone or Android. Learn more here about how MS can affect life expectancy. Read this article in Spanish.

Scientists have found a way to rejuvenate brain stem cells in rats. The finding offers clues on how to restore lost brain function in diseases such as…. In some cases, multiple sclerosis MS can respond to certain types of surgery, which may include deep brain stimulation. Many other surgical…. Multiple sclerosis affects the nerves in the body and may also affect mood.

Learn more about the causes of multiple sclerosis mood swings, and the…. Multiple sclerosis is a neurological condition with no known cure, so appropriate symptom management is crucial. Could intermittent fasting help? Multiple sclerosis: What you need to know.

Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M. What is MS? Types of MS and stages. Early signs and symptoms. Causes and risk factors. Prognosis and life expectancy. What to know about surgery for MS. Multiple sclerosis and mood changes. Sexual responses can be affected by damage in the central nervous system, as well by symptoms such as fatigue and spasticity, and by psychological factors. Constipation is a particular concern among people with MS, as is loss of control of the bowels.

Bowel issues can typically be managed through diet, adequate fluid intake, physical activity and medication. Pain syndromes are common in MS. Can be a reaction to the stresses of living with MS as well as the result of neurologic and immune changes. Anxiety, mood swings, irritability, and episodes of uncontrollable laughing and crying pose significant challenges for people with MS and their families.

Studies have suggested that clinical depression — the severest form of depression — is among the most common symptoms of MS. It is more common among people with MS than it is in the general population or in persons with many other chronic, disabling conditions. Stuttering is occasionally reported as well. Swallowing problems — referred to as dysphagia — result from damage to the nerves controlling the many small muscles in the mouth and throat.

Tremor, or uncontrollable shaking, can occur in various parts of the body because of damaged areas along the complex nerve pathways that are responsible for coordination of movements. Respiration problems occur in people whose chest muscles have been severely weakened by damage to the nerves that control those muscles.

In very rare cases, hearing loss has been reported as the first symptom of the disease. While the primary symptoms described on this page more and less common are the direct result of damage to the myelin and nerve fibers in the central nervous system CNS , the secondary symptoms are the complications that can arise as a result of these primary symptoms. For example:. While secondary symptoms can be treated, the optimal goal is to avoid them by treating the primary symptoms. The impact of MS on your life can lead to additional social, vocational and psychological complications.