Multiple Sclerosis – Warning Signs You Should Know About

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that can be very unpredictable. As an inflammatory disease, it’s also an autoimmune disorder that affects more than 2 million people around the world. Multiple sclerosis is a result of an unusual immune response of the body – it reacts negatively to substances that are normally present in the body, hence the fact that it is a disorder. It affects the nerve cells in the spinal cord and the brain, damaging the entire nervous system which means that some signals can get blocked or slowed down completely.

Common Signs of Multiple Sclerosis

There are different signs and symptoms of MS; here are a few of the common symptoms:

• Fatigue and numbness in the limbs; severe cases can cause paralysis
• Losing vision partially or completely; eye movement can also be painful at times
• Blurring or double vision occurring regularly
• A tingling sensation in your limbs, like pins and needles
• Lacking co-ordination at times
• Slurring speech or swallowing issues
• Fatigue and dizziness

Sensitivity to heat is also a common occurrence in people with multiple sclerosis and this is also why relapses will occur more frequently during hot summer months. Even small increases in the body’s temperature can trigger or even worsen the symptoms of multiple sclerosis in many patients.

A Healthy Lifestyle

Currently, there is no cure for multiple sclerosis. However, there are a wide variety of treatments available that can significantly reduce the effects of these symptoms and allow patients to live a healthier life. These treatments will aim to slow down the development of MS and allow people to have less severe side effects and symptoms than they normally would have.

A very important aspect for patients with MS is to get enough rest on a daily basis. Fatigue is a very common symptom of multiple sclerosis so it’s important to ensure that you get at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep every night. It’s also very important to make sure that you do some form of exercise on a daily basis to keep your circulation intact and your muscles strong and supple; types of exercisesthat you can do include swimming, jogging and walking.

Make sure that you always stay properly hydrated and cooled down, as your MS symptoms can definitely worsen if your body temperature rises. Keep cool running water on your wrists, and stay in air conditioned areas in the home or office where possible. You can also wear cool clothing and light materials during the day. Relieve stress wherever possible. Stress can trigger or worsen the symptoms of MS, so find ways to relax.

MS is a disease that is generally unpredictable and its effects can be different between people. This is why MS can be so scary to diagnose, as many patients don’t always know what to expect. However, with the appropriate treatment, you can prevent relapses and live every day to its fullest.