MS Basics
When
In most cases MS is diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. It is rarely diagnosed under the age of 12 or over 55 years of age. Symptoms may begin at an earlier age, but since they tend to disappear rapidly, people tend to dismiss them.
How
Multiple Sclerosis can affect a person in many different ways. Some of the common symptoms include:
Fatigue - Unsteadiness or dizziness - Depression - Shaking and loss of coordination - Weakness - Numbness and tingling - Memory changes - Bladder problems - Pain - Bowel problems - Visual loss - Sexual problems - Double vision
Many of these symptoms can be treated with various techniques such as medications, diet, exercise, and rest.
Some things that may worsen MS symptoms:
Heat. When getting overheated by outside temperatures or even a simple bath, people with MS may experience a temporary worsening of their symptoms until they get cooled off.
Fatigue. Most people with MS find that they feel better in the morning than evening. One of the first things a person with MS is taught is to, look, listen and feel. Some people even tend to get gray around the eyes as they come closer to a worsening of symptoms or a relapse. If you feel tired, and look tired, you probably need to take some time to rest.
Stress. Being stressed and anxious can wear on any person. Being worn down when you have MS usually means a worsening of symptoms. Try to avoid stressful situations or deal with them quickly in order to not prolong the affect the stress may have on you.
Symptoms can last anywhere from a few hours to days, weeks or even months. However sometimes a person may experience unusual symptoms that last for only a few brief seconds or minutes. For example random slurring and brief weakness or unsteadiness, or shooting pains.
When a person experiences a worsening of original symptoms, it is called a fluctuation or flare-up. It is usually caused by fatigue, stress, or heat.
If a person experiences new symptoms, or a significant worsening of old symptoms that last more than 24 hours, it is considered an exacerbation, relapse, or attack. Fluctuations happen hour by hour whereas an attack lasts a day or more. Little fluctuations in your symptoms do not usually require any hospitalization. The symptoms tend to lessen when the stress is removed from the picture. These are not signs that your MS is going berserk.
In the case of an exacerbation, treatments with corticosteriods and hospitalization may be necessary. Always notify your doctor about your condition should it worsen.
Fatigue - Unsteadiness or dizziness - Depression - Shaking and loss of coordination - Weakness - Numbness and tingling - Memory changes - Bladder problems - Pain - Bowel problems - Visual loss - Sexual problems - Double vision
Many of these symptoms can be treated with various techniques such as medications, diet, exercise, and rest.
Some things that may worsen MS symptoms:
Heat. When getting overheated by outside temperatures or even a simple bath, people with MS may experience a temporary worsening of their symptoms until they get cooled off.
Fatigue. Most people with MS find that they feel better in the morning than evening. One of the first things a person with MS is taught is to, look, listen and feel. Some people even tend to get gray around the eyes as they come closer to a worsening of symptoms or a relapse. If you feel tired, and look tired, you probably need to take some time to rest.
Stress. Being stressed and anxious can wear on any person. Being worn down when you have MS usually means a worsening of symptoms. Try to avoid stressful situations or deal with them quickly in order to not prolong the affect the stress may have on you.
Symptoms can last anywhere from a few hours to days, weeks or even months. However sometimes a person may experience unusual symptoms that last for only a few brief seconds or minutes. For example random slurring and brief weakness or unsteadiness, or shooting pains.
When a person experiences a worsening of original symptoms, it is called a fluctuation or flare-up. It is usually caused by fatigue, stress, or heat.
If a person experiences new symptoms, or a significant worsening of old symptoms that last more than 24 hours, it is considered an exacerbation, relapse, or attack. Fluctuations happen hour by hour whereas an attack lasts a day or more. Little fluctuations in your symptoms do not usually require any hospitalization. The symptoms tend to lessen when the stress is removed from the picture. These are not signs that your MS is going berserk.
In the case of an exacerbation, treatments with corticosteriods and hospitalization may be necessary. Always notify your doctor about your condition should it worsen.