Common MS Symptoms and How They Affect the Body
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. This happens when your immune system mistakenly attacks your nerves, causing inflammation that can interfere with how your body functions.
MS symptoms can vary from person to person, so your experience may be different from someone else’s.
Some key signs include:
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Feeling completely tired or lacking energy.
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Problems with your eyes – such as blurred vision or pain.
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Numbness or tingling in your arms, legs, or other parts of your body.
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Feeling unsteady, dizzy, or a little strange.
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Muscle cramps, stiffness or twitching.
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Needing to urinate frequently – or having trouble holding it in.
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Forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating.
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Sexual problems – such as vaginal dryness or trouble getting or maintaining an erection.
You are more likely to develop MS if you are female, aged 20 to 50, have a family history of the disease, smoke, or have previously had the Epstein-Barr virus, which can cause complications. such as glandular fever.
According to the charity Overcoming MS, there are around 150,000 people living with MS in the UK. With over 7000 new diagnoses each year, the number of people affected is constantly increasing, making it more important than ever to raise awareness of the condition and how to manage it.
There is currently no cure for MS. If you are diagnosed, treatment is tailored to your specific symptoms and may change over time as your condition develops. Some medications can help reduce swelling, relax muscles to reduce spasms, cramps, and stiffness, and manage pain and other symptoms.
Along with medication, there are also supportive approaches that can help people manage MS in everyday life. These include physiotherapy, mental health support, exercise, brain training activities and general strategies to deal with symptoms.
However, a new survey conducted by Overcoming MS has revealed that thousands of people with MS are unaware that healthy lifestyle choices – such as a balanced diet, regular exercise and stress management – can significantly improve their quality of life.
Surveys show that more than a quarter of people with MS are not aware that maintaining a healthy diet, being physically active, quitting smoking and managing stress can help reduce pain and fatigue – and even slow the progression of the disease.
For example, studies show that following a healthy diet can reduce the progression of disability by up to 50%, while staying active through regular exercise may help reduce the chance of MS relapse for some people.
Overcoming MS shows that as for other long-term conditions like heart disease and diabetes, more than 60% of people are aware of the benefits of adopting a healthy lifestyle to manage their condition.
This highlights a clear lack of public awareness about how lifestyle changes can have a real impact on the health of people with MS. If healthy habits are considered central to managing the condition and improving quality of life in other serious long-term conditions, evidence showing their benefits for MS symptoms deserves equal attention.
Alexandra Holden, chief executive of Overcoming MS, emphasizes that, with NHS resources under pressure, it is more important than ever for people to access evidence-based lifestyle strategies that support their health alongside medical treatments.
“Lifestyle changes, although not a cure, can make a real difference to the symptoms and quality of life of people with MS,” she says. “Still many people don’t know this, or find out about it in a haphazard manner.
“The biggest challenge at the moment is lack of awareness and misinformation, which is preventing people with MS from getting the full benefit of lifestyle support.”
From fear to empowerment
The survey findings revealed that the disease is often viewed with a sense of fear and hopelessness. Nearly 80% of respondents said they would feel fearful about the future if they were diagnosed with MS, and nearly 60% said they would feel helpless and out of control.
In response, Overcoming MS is more committed than ever to raising awareness of the benefits that lifestyle changes can have for people living with the condition. The charity is urging healthcare professionals and policy makers to make lifestyle support a regular part of MS care alongside medical treatment, giving people with MS the tools to better manage their health and regain a sense of control.
Dr Kate Petheram is a consultant neurologist at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust. Speaking to Overcoming MS, he said: “One of the biggest challenges with MS is that its symptoms and progression can look different for everyone, and this can lead to an overwhelming sense of uncertainty for people who are at risk about the way forward and how to best manage their MS.
“Along with medical interventions, providing patients with knowledge about the proven ways that lifestyle changes can help manage their specific symptoms and provide them with a greater sense of agency in their treatment can be extremely empowering.”
She said that with growing evidence about the positive impact of lifestyle changes on people with MS, it is essential that these discussions are had with more people as part of their clinical care.
Through raising awareness of MS symptoms and the benefits of healthy behaviors on disease progression, Overcoming MS hopes to empower people to take responsibility for their lives.
Although there is no cure for MS, the charity highlights real-life stories to show how people have adopted lifestyle changes and seen real benefits.
Coach Yas Neves, who runs an HR consultancy in South Wales, was diagnosed with MS eight years ago.
She told Overcoming MS that after making healthy lifestyle choices, she felt better, healthier, and more satisfied than she had ever imagined at the time of her diagnosis.
“Lifestyle changes don’t happen overnight and it took me a few years to adopt these positive habits and realize their benefits,” she said. “But I remember I started to feel tired, the fog in my mind cleared and my balance became better. I’m sure these are due to the changes I made and All these years since my diagnosis. “I know I have a lot more control over my future.”
Find more help and information
For more information and guidance on MS, Visit the Overcoming MS website. There, you’ll find practical advice about how to make lifestyle changes, what types of changes can help, and the research and evidence behind them. You can also access a range of useful resources, contact information and tools designed to help you feel more informed and supported.
