3 Common Symptoms that Plague MS Patients
Multiple sclerosis is a condition where there is a communication gap between the brain and the body, as MS damages the CNS. The discord is a result of the damage sustained by the nerve endings that are responsible for the transfer of messages to and fro between the brain and the body. Sadly, there is no cure for MS. However, there are treatment options to manage its symptoms.
Considering MS patients are restricted to the bed, they face a number of other health issues spawning from lack of movements. Read on to know more.
1. Fatigue and mobility problems
Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of multiple sclerosis. Most MS patients experience fatigue so debilitating that they might even find it difficult to get done with their daily activities. Fatigue caused by MS is distinguished into types. Primary fatigue is when the brain has difficulty sending signals to the body or receive them. Secondary fatigue is observed when the condition progresses further, resulting in increased pains and discomfort. Progression of the condition also means damage to the nerve endings that are responsible for motor skills. Issues faced because of fatigue and disease progression are susceptibility to falling, loss of balance, muscle tightness, and loss of feeling in the limbs.
2. Vision problems, dizziness, and vertigo
Nerves are a vital part of the body’s communication system. They are the carriers of messages from the brain to the body and vice versa. The optic nerve is in charge of vision and the information that the brain receives and sends to the eyes. Vision problems are one of the common issues for people with MS. They are indicative of nerve damage and can cause problems in color distinction and poor contrast. As the problem progresses, blurry vision and other issues related to optic nerve damage can also cause problems with gait and loss of balance. Lesions that occur in the brain stem or other areas that control the balance of the body can result in vertigo. OTC medications are available that can help patients relieve or manage some symptoms and overcome discomfort related to dizziness and vertigo.
3. Emotional and psychological symptoms
Another common issue that affects most people with multiple sclerosis is the emotional and psychological toll the condition takes on them. Clinical depression is one of the most common mental health afflictions that comes with MS. Patients are also susceptible to developing anxiety because of the uncertainty of their health that can lead them to overthink. Pseudobulbar is a condition that enhances the lack of connection between expression and emotion. It is noted by events where the patient starts laughing or crying uncontrollably without actually feeling the emotion. Brain lesions that cause damage to the nerve endings can lead to the disruption of communication, causing the pseudobulbar condition.