MS Symptoms in Women

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that is most common among women. Symptoms usually begin sometime after the age of 20 and before the age of 40. Multiple sclerosis is a condition that occurs when the body's own immune system attacks the protective covering of the nerves, which interrupts normal communication between the nerves and the brain. Symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary depending on which nerves are affected by he disease. Symptoms may occur intermittently or continually. In the most severe cases, multiple sclerosis can result in the inability to walk or talk.

Limb Symptoms

• Multiple sclerosis may affect one or more than one of a woman's limbs. Generally, it affects one side of the body at a time or it may only affect the legs. The arms and legs may become numb or weak because of nerve damage.

Vision Problems

• Multiple sclerosis may affect vision. Vision loss or even blindness may occur in one or both eyes. Also, some may experience double vision or blurry vision. Women with multiple sclerosis may also feel pain when the eyes move.

Tingling

• Women affected by multiple sclerosis may experience tingling in various parts of the body. This tingling may feel like a pins-and-needles sensation and may be accompanied by pain. Also, they may feel an electric shock sensation when they move their head in certain ways.

Movement Symptoms

• Movement and balance may become impaired. Trmoes may occur intermittently. Also, women with multiple sclerosis may feel more and more uncoordinated over time and their gait may become increasingly unsteady.

Other Problems

• Women with multiple sclerosis often experience unusual fatigue. They may also have episodes of unexplained dizziness. They may also have difficulty with thinking and recalling memories. Some women may also develop bladder and bowel dysfunction and emotional imbalance. Rarely, some women develop swallowing problems, seizures, hearing loss and breathing problems.