Symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) can be mild, moderate, or severe. One of the most common symptoms of MS is fatigue, and about 80% of patients feel tired all the time, to the point where it can significantly interfere with their ability to function at home and work.
What Is MS Fatigue?
There are different kinds of fatigue experienced by people with MS. Some patients may be sleep-deprived due to bladder dysfunction and nighttime muscle spasms. Those who have depression may also feel tired. When people with MS need to expend significant effort to perform daily activities, this can also cause fatigue.
In addition, there is a type of fatigue called “lassitude” (also called MS fatigue) that is unique to people with MS. Characteristics of lassitude include that it:
- Usually occurs on a daily basis
- Can happen early in the morning, even after a restful night’s sleep
- Worsens as the day progresses
- Can be aggravated by heat and humidity
- Starts easily and suddenly
- Is often more severe than normal fatigue
- Is more likely to interfere with daily responsibilities
Other symptoms of MS may include:
- Numbness, tingling, “pins and needles” feeling
- Muscle weakness or spasms
- Vision problems
- Unusual eye movements
- Eye pain
- Dizziness
- Spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Loss of coordination
- Difficulty walking or speaking
- Loss of balance/falls
- Bowel or bladder problems
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sensitivity to heat (may worsen symptoms)
- Trouble thinking clearly
- Memory problems
- Mood swings
Children may have seizures and extreme fatigue in addition to any of the symptoms above.
What Is MS?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that causes damage to the myelin sheaths that surround nerve cells in the central nervous system (CNS). This damage disrupts the nerve cell connections in the brain and spinal cord, causing a range of symptoms.
There are several types of MS:
- Relapsing-remitting
- The most common type of MS
- Symptoms come and go
- When symptoms flare up, it is called an attack or relapse that can last days to weeks
- In between attacks, people may feel normal
- Secondary progressive
- Symptoms come and go at first but eventually worsen
- Primary progressive
- Symptoms steadily worsen from the onset
- Progressive relapsing
- Symptoms steadily worsen, along with attacks that come and go
What Causes MS?
The cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of factors, including:
- Genetics
- Environment
- Immune system dysfunction
- Infections
Triggers for multiple sclerosis relapses include:
- Stress
- Infections
- Vaccinations (e.g., influenza, hepatitis B, or any travel vaccines)
- Smoking
- High temperatures, such as from hot weather, saunas, hot tubs, and hot showers and baths
- Pregnancy
- Risk of relapse is increased in the months immediately after giving birth (though many women with MS have fewer relapses during pregnancy)
- Skipping medications
What Is Multiple Sclerosis Treatment?
Treatment for MS (multiple sclerosis) depends on the type of MS.
Treatment for MS attacks includes steroids to reduce inflammation.
Disease-modifying therapy medications can help reduce flares and can help slow down progressive MS:
- Injectable medications
- Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone, Glatopa)
- Interferon beta-1a (Avonex, Rebif)
- Interferon beta-1b (Betaseron, Extavia)
- Ofatumumab (Kesimpta)
- Peginterferon beta-1a (Plegridy)
- Oral medications
- Cladribine (Mavenclad)
- Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera)
- Diroximel fumarate (Vumerity)
- Fingolimod (Gilenya)
- Monomethyl fumarate (Bafiertam)
- Ozanimod (Zeposia)
- Siponimod (Mayzent)
- Teriflunomide (Aubagio)
- Infused medications
- Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada)
- Mitoxantrone (Novantrone)
- Natalizumab (Tysabri)
- Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus)
Other medications may be used to treat specific symptoms of multiple sclerosis, such as:
- Antibiotics for infections
- Medicines for dizziness and vertigo
- Central nervous system stimulants for fatigue
- Bladder and bowel medications for bladder and bowel dysfunction
- Antidepressants for depression and mood changes
- Antihistamines for itching
- Antidepressants and anti-seizures medications for nerve pain
- Muscle relaxants, benzodiazepines, and onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) for muscle spasticity
- Medicines to treat tremors
- Potassium channel blockers to treat difficulty walking
- Erectile dysfunction medicines for sexual dysfunction
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https://www.uptodate.com/contents/multiple-sclerosis-in-adults-the-basics?search=Multiple%20Sclerosis&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/
https://www.mssociety.org.uk/about-ms/types-of-ms/relapsing-remitting-ms
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/multiple-sclerosis-ms/relapsing-remitting-multiple-sclerosis