Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a brain and spinal cord illness. It occurs when the immune system attacks, which damages the fatty layer of the myelin of the nerve fibers. Any damage to the nerve fiber will automatically generate a communication barrier between the brain and the rest of the body organs. The effects of multiple sclerosis are permanent to the body as they damage the nervous system, and they deteriorate as time goes.

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary depending on the part of the nervous system that is deteriorating. The following are the early warning symptoms of multiple sclerosis:

1. Vision problems
Patients with multiple sclerosis may experience an eye disorder known as optic neuritis, characterized by painful eyes, blurry vision, and dull vision. Optic neuritis is due to damage to the nerves that connect the brain and the eyes. Deterioration of the nerves means distraction of information relayed between the eyes and the brain hence a negative impact on the eyesight. Optic neuritis affects one eye, but in some rare cases, both eyes become affected. The blurred vision, double visions, or loss of vision doesn’t occur at once, but the patient’s vision degenerates slowly over time.

2. Tingling and numbness
The patient with multiple sclerosis gets numbness when he or she sleeps or sits for a long time awkwardly. The sensational feeling occurs whenever the patient tries to move his neck and legs. Tingling and numbness are due to damage of the nerves connecting the brain and the spinal cord. The damage may cause a relay of conflicting signals to the brain. Numbness mostly occurs in the arms, legs, face, and fingers.

3. Pain and spasms
The patient experiences back pain due to inflammation of the spinal cord. He or she also gets severe chronic problems, which are accompanied by involuntary muscle spasms. The most affected parts of the body are the legs. The muscles in the legs become weak.

4. Weakness and fatigue
Severe body weaknesses and fatigue is a common symptom among people who have multiple sclerosis. The legs and hands are the most affected as they become fragile. Chronic fatigue is due to the deterioration of the nerve to the spinal column.

5. Dizziness and body imbalance
Dizziness and lack of body balance are due to poor nerve coordination. The patients experience problems with mobility and also get a dizzy feeling.

6. Bladder dysfunction
80% of patients who have multiple sclerosis have shown bladder issues, characterized by frequent urination, lack of ability to hold urine, and a strong urge to urinate. Sometimes people who have multiple sclerosis complain of diarrhea, constipation, and even loss of bowel control. Less physical movement by the patient causes the bowel problem.

According to research, multiple sclerosis is not hereditary. However, chances of developing multiple sclerosis are higher in people who have a close relative diagnosed with the illness. Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis requires several tests on the patients, including neurological tests, eye tests, magnetic resonance imaging, and spinal tap test. The tests are carried out on the patients to determine whether they have a damaged nervous system or not. There is no cure for multiple sclerosis, but its treatment only slows down its progression. Medications are for managing the symptoms and modifying the progression of multiple sclerosis. Patients with multiple sclerosis should try exercising to keep their nerves at work.