Symptoms of MS
Multiple Sclerosis is an extremely variable disease and its symptoms are determined by the combined effects of, which CNS areas have been DeMyelinated and how much Neural tissue has been destroyed, which include both visible and invisible lesions (Burden of Disease).
There is no universal pattern for the course of MS and every MSer has a different, unique set of symptoms. They vary from time to time and change in severity and duration over time. Most MSers will experience more than one symptom and although there are symptoms common to many of us, nobody ever has them all.
There Is No Typical MS
Altered Sensation: "Pins-and-Needles" (Paresthesia), Tingling, Numbness, Itching, or a Burning Feeling (Dysesthesia) in different parts of the body, and indefinable sensations.
Balance & Co-ordination Problems: Loss of Balance, Dizziness, Vertigo, Tremor, Unstable Walking (Ataxia), Foot-Drop, Giddiness, Clumsiness, and InCoordination.
Bladder Problems: Include the need to Frequently and/or Urgently pass water (Spastic Bladder), incomplete emptying or emptying at inappropriate times, and Urinary Hesitation (Detrusor-Sphincter DysSynergia).
Bowel Problems: Include Constipation, a Slower Digestive System, and less frequently, Loss of Bowel Control.
Cognitive & Emotional Disturbances: Problems with Short-Term Memory, Concentration, Judgement and/or Reasoning Skills are slowed, but rarely are they totally lost.
"A marked feature of the pattern of Memory deficits in MS is that Recall, or UnPrompted remembering, is more adversely affected than recognition, or prompted remembering."
(D.W. Langdon, PhD; A. J. Thompson, MD, FRCP)
MS results in Retrieval Failure, rather than a Storage problem, and impaired performance on measures of Conceptual and Abstract Reasoning, Sustained Attention, Information Processing Speed, VisuoSpatial Skills and Verbal Fluency.
MS NeuroPsychology (Cognitive & Memory problems)
by: Dr. Donald Goodkin
Multiple Sclerosis and Personality
by: Patricia Daily, L.C.S.W.
Cognitive Problems in Multiple Sclerosis
by: D.W. Langdon, PhD; A. J. Thompson, MD, FRCP
Fatigue: A debilitating kind of overall fatigue which is unpredictable and out of proportion to the activity (Lassitude). Any increase in your body temperature will temporarily make pre-existing MS symptoms worse.
A good night of sleep does not relieve MS Fatigue and it generally takes a few days of rest, to recover from any over-doing. Fatigue is one of the earliest, most common, and troubling symptoms of MS.
Heat Sensitivity: Causes a temporary worsening of symptoms and may make your vision blurry (Uhthoff's Syndrome). Body functions normalize, when the body cools off and the Neuron can safely resume transmitting Nerve Impulses.
Without its Myelin coating, all CNS tissue is more sensitive to heat and prone to stop transmitting electrical signals (Conduction Block), when the body's core temperature is increased by just 0.5°C.
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