MS symptoms depend on what nerve tissue has been affected. They can range from mild to severe, and also may improve and then come back again later. Symptoms vary from person to person, and also from time to time in the same person. Common symptoms of MS include
- Balance or coordination difficulties (e.g., falling, difficulty walking)
- Bladder dysfunction (e.g., urgency, incontinence)
- Bowel dysfunction (e.g., constipation, incontinence)
- Concentration problems
- Depression and/or emotional problems
- Dizziness and/or vertigo
- Fatigue
- Memory loss or confusion
- Muscle stiffness and spasms
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness in the legs, arms, face or extremities
- Paralysis in one or more limbs
- Sexual dysfunction
- Vision impairment in one or both eyes (e.g., blurred vision, double vision, loss of vision, change in color perception, pain around affected eye)
It is important to note that the majority or people with MS do not become severely disabled (e.g., paralyzed). In fact, approximately two-thirds of MS patients remain able to walk, though they may require the use of an aid (e.g., cane, crutches). In addition, MS is not considered a fatal disease. In fact, the vast majority of MS patients live a normal lifespan, though they are often faced with increasing physical limitations as time goes on.
