Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the spinal cord and the brain. The disease is manifested by the immune system attacking the protective sheath that covers nerve fiber. It messes up communication between the brain and the other parts of the body. The result is scar tissue formation and damaged nerves meaning that it resembles many other illnesses, which makes it extremely hard to identify.
MS signs and symptoms differ from one person to another depending on the location of the involved nerve fibers. The following are some common multiple sclerosis warning signs:

1. Weakness or fatigue
Most people with MS experience fatigue and weakness in the early stages of the disease. Chronic fatigue results from deterioration of nerves in the spinal column. Normally, fatigue suddenly appears without explanation and can last for weeks before easing. The individual’s legs are the first to be affected by weakness or fatigue.

2. Balance problems or dizziness
A person suffering from MS may experience balance problems that make coordination difficult, thus decreasing their mobility. Also, the patient will feel dizzy, lightheaded, or feel like their surroundings are spinning when they stand up. Dizziness attributed to MS is more severe and it lasts for not less than two days.

3. Bladder issues
Eight out of ten people with MS have a dysfunctional bladder, which includes inability to hold urine, strong urges to urinate or frequent urination. Often, urinary related signs are manageable.

4. Cognitive problems
Some cognitive function issues experienced by people with MS include language problems, short attention span, memory issues, and troubles staying organized. In many cases, the individual may also suffer from depression.

5. Vision problems
People with MS have optic neuritis, which is a condition that damages the nerve connecting the brain to the eye. Usually, it affects one eye where you may experience pain in the affected eye when you move it. You may also experience double vision, blurred vision or complete loss of vision.

6. Tingling and numbness
MS affects the body’s message center, the spinal cord and the brain. When this happens, the brain sends conflicting messages to other body parts with no signals sent sometimes, which makes the body numb. Tingling and numbness are among the most common multiple sclerosis symptoms. Numbness is often experienced in the fingers, legs, arms, and the face.

7. Pains and spasms
The pain is caused by a short circuit of the sensation-carrying nerves and it may be chronic or acute. You might experience pain around the chest, feet, legs, arms, or neck. One also experiences spasms or muscle/joint stiffness and uncontainable painful jerking movements in the legs.

There is no outright cure for MS. But there are MS treatments that help in managing the condition. The type of treatment recommended by your doctor depends on your symptoms and difficulties. It includes detailed treatments for each symptom, treating relapses with steroid medicine for a short time to accelerate recovery, and reducing the number of relapses with disease-modifying therapies.