What is Multiple Sclerosis? | Symptoms and treatment

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong, incurable neurological condition that affects the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

MS can vary in severity from person to person with some able to walk around and work and others dependent on a wheelchair or confined to bed. Multiple Sclerosis symptoms can include problems with balance, vision, pain and fatigue.

Over 150,000 people in the UK have MS and nearly 7,000 people are diagnosed with the disease every year. Women are nearly three times more likely to be diagnosed with MS than men.

There is no cure for MS but for some people, there is medication that can slow it down.

What is MS?

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that damages the coating, known as myelin, which protects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord.

The immune system attacks the central nervous system’s myelin, causing scars known as plaques or lesions to appear. This affects communication between the brain and the rest of the body.

This communication breakdown means every person’s experience of MS is different with varying symptoms and complications.

As the disease progresses disrupting the signals travelling through the nerves, the actual nerve itself can get damaged, resulting in disability.

MS is mostly diagnosed in people who are in their 20s and 30s. But the first signs of Multiple Sclerosis usually appear years before people receive a diagnosis.

What causes MS?

As yet, scientists do not know what causes Multiple Sclerosis.

Genetics are thought to play a part, but MS is not directly inherited. However people related to someone with MS are more likely to also develop the disease.

The environment and personal factors such as stress are also thought to be linked with MS.

MS is more common among people who live far away from the equator and are exposed to less sunlight, such as the UK. Lower levels of vitamin D could be a reason why people develop the disease.

Lifestyle could be a factor, as studies have shown that smoking and obesity can speed up the progression of MS.

Viral infections have been attributed to triggering the immune system to attack the myeline sheath.

Symptoms of MS

Multiple Sclerosis symptoms can be both visible and invisible. They can also be unpredictable and change over time. Each person with MS will experience the condition differently. Some might only have one or two symptoms, while others might have to deal with many more.

Most common symptoms of MS include:

Fatigue
Vision problems
Difficulties with walking
Numbness and tingling
Bladder and bowel issues
Muscle weakness or spasms
Balance and co-ordination issues
Dizziness and vertigo
Difficulty processing information, such as learning, thinking and planning
Emotional issues such as depression, stress and anxiety
Chronic pain
Sexual problems

Actor Christina Applegate describes her MS symptoms

American actor Christina Applegate who played Kelly Bundy in the TV sitcom Married with Children, revealed in 2021 that she had been diagnosed with MS.

She has described what it like for her having MS, saying she has suffered from “intense pain” in her legs, and feeling as if she is going to fall walking to the bathroom.

She has also experienced “insane tingling that just has spurts of tingles that are weird coming from my butt down”.

Christina also called it a “lonely” disease “ as it can be hard to explain to people what she is going through.

Relapsing remitting MS

This type of MS accounts for around 85 per cent of diagnoses. A person with Relapsing remitting MS will experience fluctuating symptoms and flare-ups.

They may experience new symptoms or that their current symptoms worsen. The relapse can last from a few days to months before their condition slowly improves, known as remission.

After each relapse their body may find it harder to repair the damage being done to it during a relapse.

Primary progressive MS

Primary Progressive MS tends to be diagnosed in people in their 40s.

From the first or primary symptom, the disease is progressive and worsens over time, with a gradual increase in symptoms and disability.

Secondary progressive MS

Secondary progressive MS occurs after relapsing remitting MS,

In the past it took around 20 years for relapsing remitting MS to transform into secondary progressive MS.

However disease modifying therapies (DMTs) mean fewer people are likely to go on to secondary progressive MS and for those that do it tends to take longer to happen.

How is Multiple Sclerosis diagnosed?

If you notice any of the above symptoms and worry that it may be signs of MS, you should first contact your GP. As the disease shares many symptoms with other conditions, showing some of the signs does not have to mean it is MS.

If your GP suspects it may be MS you will be referred to a neurologist for tests, including an MRI scan. The MRI scan can reveal lesions or scars in the spinal cord.

Other tests used to diagnose MS are:

Evoked potential test – These tests measure electrical activity in the brain in response to stimuli.

Lumbar puncture – a sample of fluid is taken to test for immune cells and antibodies.

Blood tests – these are taken to rule out other illnesses which may be causing your symptoms.

Treating and managing MS

There is currently no cure for Multiple Sclerosis, but in recent years, scientists have developed a wide range of treatments to manage the symptoms.

Relapses can be treated with steroid medication which speeds up recovery and lessens the number of relapses.

Disease-Modifying Therapies (DMTs)

These medications aim to reduce the frequency and severity of relapses and slow progression of the disease.

Commonly used DMTs include interferon beta medications, glatiramer acetate, and newer oral agents like fingolimod, dimethyl fumarate, and teriflunomide.

Monoclonal antibodies such as natalizumab, ocrelizumab, and alemtuzumab are also used for more aggressive forms of MS.

How can you manage MS symptoms?

Medication: Muscle relaxants for spasticity, pain relievers, antidepressants, and drugs to manage bladder and bowel dysfunction.
Physical exercise such as yoga and pilates: Helps maintain mobility and manage symptoms through exercises tailored to the individual.
Occupational therapy: Assists in improving daily living skills and adapting the home environment for better accessibility.

MS and Menopause

Not a lot of research has been done into the effect of the menopause on women living with Multiple Sclerosis.

However it seems that changes in hormones that are caused by the menopause can lead to more severe symptoms and quicker progression in disability for women living with MS.

People with MS are often sensitive to heat and hot flushes that often come with the menopause can intensify MS symptoms such as fatigue and bladder problems.

Some women have said they have noticed their MS symptoms have got worse during the menopause or after it. But some have seen no impact.

Research from one study showed three quarters of women on HRT saw an improvement in their MS symptoms.

This is an area that needs a lot more research to determine what help and support can be given to women with MS going through the menopause.

Support and advice on coping with MS

If you have been diagnosed with MS and have any concerns or questions, do not hesitate to seek advice.

The MS Society and the MS Trust are charities which provide advice, information and someone to talk to if you need to.

What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) | Symptoms and treatment

Page contents

What is MS?

What causes MS?