Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong condition that can have a profound impact on the brain and nerves, with several warning signs to be aware of.
Inflammation can occur in parts of the brain or spinal cord, causing symptoms. It's estimated that around 130,000 people in the UK live with the condition. Affected nerve fibres can become vulnerable to damage, and over time may be lost entirely.
When this happens, messages can no longer get through and symptoms become permanent. This gradual, steady accumulation of disability is called MS progression. The NHS says MS can cause a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance.
Below are some of those to look out for in yourself or loved ones. Vision Problems: One of the more obvious first signs of MS is a problem with vision, known as optic neuritis where swelling damages the optic nerve. Common signs of optic neuritis include pain with eye movement and temporary loss of vision in one eye.
Optic neuritis is considered a more 'concrete symptom', as others - such as numbness and tingling - are often vague and can be attributed to a number of other causes. Fatigue: Everyone experiences tiredness, but the fatigue associated with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is often described as an overwhelming sense of exhaustion with no clear cause. The .
