Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease that affects the central nervous system. According to recent statistics, MS affects nearly 1 million Americans. Patients suffer from MS when their immune system mistakenly attacks the nerves in their brain and spinal cord. Scar tissue may form after an attack. The effects of MS vary from one patient to another. In some cases, patients experience mild symptoms and don’t need medical attention.

Others may have a hard time when trying to carry out their routine tasks. Read on to learn more about the early warning signs of this disease:

1. Vision problems
Usually, most MS patients report vision issues as the first symptom of the medical condition. Statistics have also shown that over 50% of the affected people tend to experience a vision problem. If you notice the sign, seek treatment as soon as possible. If you have the right information and support, the vision issues can be easily managed to help you maintain an active lifestyle. Inflammation due to multiple sclerosis affects the optic nerves and disrupts central vision. According to some medical professionals, some patients describe the issue as looking through a screen or water. The problem may also be associated with pain and a pulling sensation when moving the eyes.

2. Numbness and tingling
When the disease attacks the nervous system, the signals from your brain and the spinal cord may disappear altogether. As a result, you’ll experience persistent numbness or tingling. Usually, you may experience the symptoms for several days. Experts recommend prompt action to establish the cause. Patients also report lost sensation in different parts of the body, including the arms, hands, and legs. For some people, it may feel like insects crawling on their skin.

3. Swallowing difficulties
Statistics have shown that about 50% of MS patients experience swallowing issues. The process requires the coordination of muscles in the mouth and throat. When a person suffers from multiple sclerosis, the muscles may get weaker. The coordination may also be disrupted due to the damage to the central nervous system. Affected people may also experience changes in the way they sense the presence of food and drinks when chewing and swallowing.

4. Cognitive problems
A significant percentage of patients report some form of cognitive or emotional problems. For example, you may experience sleep disorders and mood swings. Since the brain of the affected individuals is damaged, one may also suffer experience memory loss, difficulty with multitasking, and loss of concentration. Some of the emotional symptoms include irritability and uncontrollable fits of crying or laughter. If you have a hard time when trying to keep your head and neck in check, you should consider undergoing a test for multiple sclerosis.

5. Chronic fatigue
It is an early sign of about 80% of people suffering from MS. The symptom is common in both MS patients and healthy people. However, researchers have carried out studies to understand the fatigue in affected people. For example, your doctor may determine the cause of the fatigue based on factors such as where it occurs daily and whether it worsens with changes in heat and humidity.

6. Dizziness
Another common sign is that affected individuals may feel off balance and lightheaded. Some people also have the sensation that they or their surroundings are spinning. The medical condition is known as vertigo. Dizziness is a result of the damaged areas.

7. Depression
Most patients, their support partners, and healthcare providers tend to pay more attention to the physical symptoms of multiple sclerosis. However, depression is also a common problem for patients. Depression can interfere with a person’s problem-solving skills, ability to build and maintain relationships, and worsening other symptoms. According to mental health specialists, the risk of suicide is much higher in MS patients.