Multiple Sclerosis, or muscular sclerosis (MS), is a debilitating chronic autoimmune disease that affect the central nervous system (CNS) inside the brain. The affected CNS is clinically manifested as variety of symptoms of muscular sclerosis disease such as blurred vision, muscle weakness, cognitive decline etc.
What are the Symptoms of Muscular Sclerosis Disease?
The severity of muscular sclerosis symptoms depends upon the location and burden of the focal lesions caused due to inflammation of impacted CNS. The early signs of muscular sclerosis are almost always associated with vision impairment, which can further lead to broad range symptoms depending upon the lesions in CNS. The following are some common symptoms:
- Vision impairment – Muscular sclerosis disease can lead to loss of vision either in one eye or in both eyes. Blurred vision, double vision or symptom of optic neuritis can also be seen in muscular sclerosis patients.
- Gait impairment – MS is associated with loss of strength in legs and arms leading to impaired gait (walking disability) and other activities of hand and legs.
- Bulbar impairment – It represents the loss of muscular and neural control while eating or talking leading to dysfunctional speech (Dysarthria) or difficulty swallowing (Dysphagia).
- Urinary and bowel movement impairment – MS can lead to impaired urinary incontinence, urinary retention, urine urgency, constipation, diarrhoea, etc.
- Motor activity impairment – Muscular sclerosis disease is associated with loss of common motor skills and overall weakness. Motor impairment also results into tremor, fatigue, and spasticity.
- Sensory impairment –Loss of sensation, or sensation of tingling, pricking, burning, or painful sensation can be a symptom of muscular sclerosis. It can further lead to sexual dysfunction.
- Mental and cognitive impairment – Psychiatric symptoms like anxiety, depression; and cognitive symptoms like memory loss, difficult in concentrating, and doing daily activities is a tertiary effect of MS.