Balance
About 75% of people with MS experience balance issues (which can increase the risk of falls). Fortunately, there are ways to manage issues with balance.
From fatigue to pain to tremors, multiple sclerosis can cause a wide range of symptoms that affect each person differently. Find out more about common MS symptoms below or discover some rare or unusual symptoms.
But most of these symptoms can be eased and treated. At MS Plus, we’re here to help you understand and manage your symptoms to reduce their impact on your life.
Common signs and symptoms of MS
Bladder and bowel issues
Bladder and bowel dysfunction or continence function is a common symptom for people with MS. Severity varies from person to person, but practical help is available.
Thinking and memory problems
MS may affect cognitive function to some degree, affecting the ability to think, concentrate or remember. But you can improve cognition through diet, exercise and socialisation.
Vision impairment
It is common for MS to affect your vision, but it rarely results in total blindness. People with MS may experience double vision, blurred vision, or blind spots.
Speech and swallowing difficulties
People with MS may have issues with swallowing. This can lead to difficulty in eating and drinking and may cause coughing and choking. Difficulty finding words can also occur in MS.
Fatigue
Fatigue – mental and/or physical – is one of the most common invisible symptoms of MS. But with the right knowledge and support, you can minimise and manage fatigue.
Sensory symptoms
People with MS may feel certain sensations in their skin, such as tingling, numbness, burning, tightness or itching. These can occur in any part of the body.
Heat sensitivity
People with MS often experience a reaction to heat and may notice an increase of other symptoms – such as fatigue, blurred vision or balance issues – as a result.
Weakness
People with MS may feel weakness in the body – sometimes on one side more than the other. You can strengthen your body with exercise and physiotherapy.
Pain
About 60% of people with MS experience pain. The pain can often affect day-to-day activities, so it’s important to have a proper management plan in place.
Tremors
Many people with MS experience tremors or uncontrollable shaking. This can affect any part of the body, but it often occurs in the upper limbs.
Spasticity
Changes in muscle tone is common in MS and can cause stiffness or spasms. It could sometimes cause pain in and around the joints.
Headaches
People with MS seem to have a higher chance of getting migraines than people without MS. In fact, some have reported migraine headaches as one of the first symptoms of MS.
Depression and anxiety
Some people with MS experience depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. Since these conditions can worsen quickly, it’s important to get help early.
Paroxysmal symptoms
Paroxysmal symptoms in MS are commonly thought to be related to inappropriate electrical signals that occur in nerves that have already been damaged by MS, although there can be a variety of other causes that are important to investigate. Generally, the symptoms can last from a few seconds to a few weeks.
Less common symptoms of MS
When unusual symptoms are related to MS, it often comes as a relief for people to have that confirmed. Even if there isn't an easy and quick treatment, knowing it is MS is often a useful starting point.