What Are Usually the First Signs of Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own proteins. In MS, the central nervous system (the spinal cord and brain) is affected. 

The disease damages and destroys the protective sheet (myelin) around the nerve fibers. Because of this condition, an individual might develop problems with muscle control, vision, bladder control, and other body functions. 

The distinctive feature of multiple sclerosis is that its symptoms may affect different parts of the body sometimes months or years apart. The active phase of the disease is called flares, and the symptomless period is called remission.

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is most commonly diagnosed in females between ages 20 and 40. 
• It may occur at any age and can involve both genders, however. 
• MS can occur in childhood or people over 40, but it occurs less frequently in these age groups. 
• MS in children and teens is difficult to diagnose.

Doctors and researchers have yet to understand the causes of multiple sclerosis (MS); however, there are few common risk factors, which include: 

• Immune causes: The body develops a reaction to its own proteins.
• Viral infection: Some patients develop MS after viral infection (especially after Epstein-Barr virus or the human herpes virus 6 infection).
• Environmental factors
• Stress: Patients with increased emotional stress are at risk of developing MS. 
• Smoking: Patients with a history of smoking are most at risk. 

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is difficult to diagnose because of highly variable symptoms. It is important to rule out other conditions when diagnosing MS. A neurologist usually takes medical history and orders below investigations:

• Blood test
• EEG (Tests to measure electrical activity in the brain and other areas [electroencephalogram])
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to check for changes in myelin
• Lumbar puncture (test to analyze spinal cord fluid)

A few other tests are performed to distinguish MS from stroke, thyroid-caused illness, or other diseases that cause symptoms similar to MS.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has no cure; however, multiple treatment types may improve body function. Doctors might prescribe pain killers, antidepressants, and other drugs, such as muscle relaxants, tranquilizers, or botulinum toxin (Botox), to ease muscle spasms and make MS attacks shorter and less severe. 

Some drugs that may slow down the disease and help prevent nerve damage in MS include:

• Avonex, Betaseron, and Rebif (beta interferon)
• Mavenclad (cladribine)
• Ampyra (dalfampridine)
• Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate)
• Copaxone (glatiramer)
• Novantrone (mitoxantrone)
• Tysabri (natalizumab)
• Ocrevus (ocrelizumab)
• Mayzent (siponimod)
• Aubagio (teriflunomide)

Some studies suggest that vitamin D, which you synthesize from sunlight, may protect you from MS. Some people with higher chances of getting the disease move to sunnier regions with the hope of lowering the risk of MS.