Health Tip: Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

ByABC News
March 23, 2008, 11:59 PM

Mar. 23 -- (HealthDay News) -- Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, often called the central nervous system.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says episodes (attacks) of MS can trigger the following symptoms, ranging from mild to severe:

  • Weakness, paralysis, pain, or extremity tremor.
  • Muscle spasms or atrophy.
  • Numbness or tingling.
  • Vision problems, including loss of vision, blurred vision, double vision, eye pain, or uncontrolled rapid eye movement.
  • Dizziness, vertigo, loss of balance, decreased coordination, or difficulty walking.
  • Urinary problems, including frequent urination and incontinence.
  • Decreased mental capacity, including ability to think clearly, concentrate, remember, generalize, and think in abstract terms.