Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the central nervous system. The early signs and symptoms of MS can be mild with weeks or months between symptom flare-ups. Some people may experience sudden, multiple symptoms that are persistent, and moderate to severe. A doctor should be consulted if any early signs and symptoms of MS appear, as they could also be due to other medical conditions.
Numbness and Tingling
Numbness and tingling may occur in the legs, arms or face. When a limb falls asleep, the pins and needles feeling subsides with a minute or two. The numbness and tingling that occurs in MS persists for days or weeks at a time, and comes and goes.
Balance and Coordination
A sign that may occur early in MS is balance and coordination problems. Mild symptoms may be dismissed as general clumsiness. More severe balance and coordination symptoms may interfere with the ability to stand or walk. Signs of MS balance problems include dizziness, nausea and vertigo. Coordination interferes with the ability to control the hands and pick up objects or grasp a pen or pencil.
Vision Problems
Impaired vision is typically the earliest sign of MS. Problems include double vision, blurred vision and optic neuritis. These usually affect one eye and persist for days or weeks before subsiding for a time. Optic neuritis is the inflammation of the nerves that connect the eye and brain. Less common signs and symptoms that may occur early are eye pain and nystagmus, which is movement of the eyeball that is involuntary and causes the eye to jerk.
Muscle Problems
Muscle weakness can occur in the arm and leg on one side of the body, involve one or both legs, a single arm or both arms. For some patients it may affect all four extremities. A feeling of heaviness in the arms and legs may be present.
Cognitive Dysfunction
Cognitive dysfunction is a change in a person's way of thinking. This may appear as difficulty concentrating, or a reduction in memory and inability to think as quickly as usual. Impairment of the thought processes may also be caused by medication, aging or depression. It is important to see a doctor who can accurately diagnose the reason for your cognitive dysfunction.
Behavioral Changes
Early MS signs may include depression and mood swings. These symptoms can be treated with antidepressants to reduce or eliminate them completely. Behavioral changes may be mild, with only a slight change in someone's personality. They can also be more severe and interfere in daily life.
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