What does MS eventually do to you?

In multiple sclerosis, the protective coating on the nerve fibers (myelin) is damaged and may eventually be destroyed. Depending on where the nerve damage occurs, MS can affect vision, sensation, coordination, movement, and bladder or bowel control.

What does MS do to you over time?

What are possible complications of multiple sclerosis? The complications of MS range from mild to severe. They can range from fatigue to the inability to walk. Other problems include loss of vision, balance, and bowel or bladder control.

How long does it take for MS to disable you?

For some people with MS, the disease causes noteworthy disability shortly after it manifests, whereas others may go decades without ever developing symptoms that substantially interfere with their daily life. With modern care, most patients retain a fair degree of mobility throughout their lives.

What does MS do to your life?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance.

What happens to the body as MS progresses?

An MS relapse starts when nerves in the brain and spinal cord get inflamed (swollen or irritated). Then, those nerves lose the coating, called myelin, that surrounds and protects them. A plaque forms around them instead. A plaque in the brain or spinal cord changes the electrical signals that zip up and down nerves.

What age does someone usually see symptoms of multiple sclerosis?

What are the five stages of MS?

MS is unpredictable and can vary substantially from person to person. These 4 course descriptors — clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS) — might help you know what to expect over the long term.

How long do MS patients usually live?

The study found that people with MS lived to be 75.9 years old, on average, compared to 83.4 years old for those without. That 7.5-year difference is similar to what other researchers have found recently. MS and its complications are the cause of death for about half the people diagnosed with the disease.

What part of the body does MS affect first?

In around 1 in 4 cases of MS, the first noticeable symptom is a problem with one of your eyes (optic neuritis). You may experience: some temporary loss of vision in the affected eye, usually lasting for days to weeks.

What organs does multiple sclerosis affect?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that can affect the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. It can result in a range of symptoms and functional impairments.

How quickly do you decline with MS?

In many patients, over a span of 5 to 15 years, the attacks begin more indolently, persist more chronically and remit less completely, gradually transforming into a pattern of steady deterioration rather than episodic flares. This pattern is referred to as secondary progressive MS.

Has anyone ever fully recovered from MS?

George Jelinek is the author of Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis: The evidence-based 7 step recovery program. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999 but is now symptom free.

Does MS count as a permanent disability?

MS Diagnosis Often Leads to Permanent Disability

However, most people with MS suffer from some combination of: Loss of balance. Uncoordinated movements, including problems walking. Tremors or weakness in their limbs.

What is the aggressive stage of MS?

The natural history of multiple sclerosis (MS) is highly heterogeneous. A subgroup of patients has what might be termed aggressive MS. These patients may have frequent, severe relapses with incomplete recovery and are at risk of developing greater and permanent disability at the earlier stages of the disease.

What triggers multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is caused by your immune system mistakenly attacking the brain and nerves. It's not clear why this happens but it may be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Can you live a normal life with MS?

You may have to adapt your daily life if you're diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), but with the right care and support many people can lead long, active and healthy lives.

What is the number 1 symptom of MS?

One of the more obvious first signs of MS is a problem with vision, known as optic neuritis. This is often because it's a more concrete symptom as opposed to vaguer neurological symptoms like numbness and tingling.

What is most commonly mistaken for MS?

Some conditions that doctors may commonly misdiagnose as MS include migraine, RIS, spondylopathy, and neuropathy. To accurately diagnose MS, doctors must rule out conditions with similar symptoms and look for signs and symptoms specific to MS. As such, the process of diagnosing MS may be lengthy and complex.

At what age does MS typically develop?

MS can appear at any age but most commonly manifests between the ages of 20 and 40. It affects women two to three times as often as men. Almost one million people in the United States have MS, making it one of the most common causes of neurological disability among young adults in North America.

Is MS a terminal illness?

A MS diagnosis is not a death sentence, because it can be controlled and stay in remission. However, in some cases, worsening symptoms can lead to a number of disabilities. Although the illness is not fatal, complications from MS can contribute to a person's death.

What is the most common cause of death in MS patients?

Deaths attributed to MS were commonly caused by infection (especially respiratory and urinary tract–related); conditions associated with advanced disability and immobility, such as aspiration pneumonia; and chronic respiratory disease in men.

What percentage of MS patients end up in a wheelchair?

Research shows that only one in three people with MS use wheelchairs two decades following diagnosis. Some use canes or other devices for walking assistance. An active lifestyle is important for people with MS to maintain their strength and mobility.

What does MS progress feel like?

When MS is progressing, you might notice those muscles are not only getting weaker, but you're having more tightness and cramping in that area, too, Dr. Samdrawlar says. A general worsening can be true for whatever symptom you have, whether it's vision, numbness, or balance issues.

When are MS symptoms the worst?

MS symptoms that tend to be a greater problem at night include: Muscle spasms and stiffness: Movement throughout the day can help to loosen muscles and bring relief, but they get worse again during sleep when they are still.

How do you know MS is progressing?

How do I know if I have MS with progression? If your symptoms and disability are gradually getting worse, this could be a sign that progressive nerve damage is happening. This damage might also happen without you noticing any obvious signs.