Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that targets the central nervous system, which comprises the brain and spinal cord. MS progressively damages nerve cells in the body, leading to problems with muscle movement, vision, and other abilities. Symptoms include walking problems, blindness in one eye, slurred speech, and tremors. These symptoms can be vague or subtle and often appear in the early stages of the disease. They should be addressed properly to delay the progression.

1. Balance issues

Early signs of multiple sclerosis often include issues with balance. Patients may have trouble standing on one leg for extended periods of time, they may develop a strong urge to vomit when standing for too long, or they may feel unstable while walking. This can be caused by slow deterioration of the myelin sheath, which protects nerves in the brain. It’s very common for people who have MS to experience balance and coordination problems early on. They might trip a lot, drop things they pick up or lose their balance easily. This is because damage to the myelin sheaths that protect the brain’s nerve cells, impact the ability to control muscles and body movements.

2. Vision problems

Early signs of multiple sclerosis can also include vision problems. Some patients may experience blurry vision, double vision, or see blurred halos around lights at night. These issues are caused by inflammation in the optic nerve that connects your eyes to your brain. This inflammation may also cause eye pain and vision loss.

3. Numbness and spasms

Other early signs of multiple sclerosis are numbness and spasms. Patients may feel tingly or numbness in the feet, hands, or other areas of the body. Patients may find it hard to grip things because of muscle weakness in the arms and legs. This is caused by damage done to the myelin sheath that protects nerves, and it can lead to muscle spasms and pain. This issue is also why MS patients can end up paralyzed in the later stages of the disease.

4. Bladder issues

One of the most common early signs of multiple sclerosis is bladder problems. Patients might experience pain or feel sudden urgency to use the bathroom, but nothing comes out. This is also caused by damage to myelin sheaths that protect nerves in your brain, which in turn affect the ability to empty the bladder. Such symptoms are also known as urinary incontinence, and they can happen suddenly and without warning. Bladder issues are extremely common for people with MS, especially if they go long periods without taking action. Due to ongoing nerve damage, many patients develop urinary incontinence.

5. Cognitive problems

Another early sign of multiple sclerosis is cognitive problems, which may affect thinking and speaking. As myelin sheaths deteriorate, messages from the brain can suffer, leading to reduced communication, memory lapses and speaking difficulties.

As you can see, there are many early signs of multiple sclerosis that can go undiagnosed because they are subtle in nature. If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, talk to your doctor or neurologist who can determine if you do have MS and help you develop a sound treatment plan to manage the symptoms.