This is how the first symptoms appear

Multiple sclerosis is a complex disease of the central nervous system. Scarring develops in the brain and spinal cord, which means that the nerves can no longer function properly. For those affected, coping with daily life becomes increasingly difficult as symptoms progress. Here you can learn about the warning signs that could indicate multiple sclerosis.

What is multiple sclerosis?

According to the MSD Manual, multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which the protective myelin sheath around nerves is destroyed. The impulses may then be carried poorly or not at all, and there is severe restriction of movement.

According to the German Multiple Sclerosis Society (DMSG), 2.8 million people worldwide suffer from multiple sclerosis. In Germany, about 280,000 people are affected by this neurological disease. About 15,000 people are newly diagnosed with MS each year.

Multiple sclerosis: this is how the first symptoms appear

Multiple sclerosis can present differently in each person. According to the MSD Manual, symptoms usually appear in flares. It may disappear partially and then reappear more intensively. The more advanced the disease, the more difficult it is for sufferers to cope with daily life. The first signs of multiple sclerosis are:

engine symptoms:

• weakness
• clumsy
• Stiffness in the arms and legs

Sensory disturbances:

• numbness
• Tingling in the arms, legs, and face, among others
• Sudden pain when touching or bending the neck

Visual disturbances:

• blurred vision
• See the fog
• double vision

According to the DMSG, the first symptoms often appear as movement disorders. There are also many unseen symptoms of the disease that can nonetheless seriously impair the quality of life of sufferers. They include extreme fatigue and depressive moods, as well as dizziness and sudden pain.

Warning signs: How symptoms may change

As the disease progresses, those affected have more and more motor impairments. As the disease progresses, multiple sclerosis can present with the following symptoms:

• Tremors and irregular movements
• A part of the body may become immobile
• Walking is more difficult
• Dizziness
• Slow and unclear speech
• Painful muscle spasms

Multiple sclerosis is not curable, the disease is treated symptomatically. However, the course can be affected by targeted therapy.