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Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Specialist Q&A

Multiple sclerosis causes many different symptoms, including vision loss, pain, fatigue, and impaired coordination. The symptoms, severity, and duration can vary from person to person. Our specialists at Cape Fear Physical Medicine and Rehab provide comprehensive care for those with multiple sclerosis, from diagnosis to treatment and also rehabilitation. Contact us or visit us online to book an appointment. We are conveniently located at 1540 Purdue Dr, Ste. 200 Fayetteville, NC 28303.

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Specialist Near Me in Fayetteville NC
Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Specialist Near Me in Fayetteville NC

Table of Contents:

What is multiple sclerosis?
What are the early signs and symptoms of MS?
What is the main cause of multiple sclerosis?
How does multiple sclerosis impact daily life?
When should you visit a doctor for multiple sclerosis?

Your body is a beautifully complex and highly organized structure made up of high-functioning cells working together to sustain life. However, within the human body, the brain is the most complex organ. Approximately 86 billion neurons are used in the human brain. With a healthy nervous system, neurons form circuits and share information. When the nervous system doesn’t transmit signals properly, this could cause problems.

What is multiple sclerosis?


Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially debilitating disease that impacts the central nervous system. The spinal cord and brain make up the central nervous system and control everything that we do. Multiple Sclerosis is when the immune system attacks the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers of the central nervous system and causes communication complications between your brain and the rest of your body. MS can occur at any age but onset generally happens between ages 20 to 40.

What are the early signs and symptoms of MS?

Signs and symptoms of MS vary vastly and affect people differently. It also depends on the amount of nerve damage. Some people with more debilitating MS may lose the ability to walk independently or at all, while others may go into remission without experiencing any new symptoms.

People may experience one or more of these signs and symptoms:

• Vision – optic neuritis – blurry vision, colors are dull, and pain in your eye(s)
• Fatigue – usually exhausted by the afternoon, slow thinking, weak muscles
• Numbness and tingling
• Bladder and/or bowel problems – frequent urination and/or constipation
• Lack of coordination – clumsier than usual, trouble walking, imbalance
• Pain and Muscle spasms – this usually affects your leg muscles
• Dizziness – lightheaded and feeling like the room is spinning
• Cognitive problems – difficulty remembering

Multiple Sclerosis is unpredictable, in that symptoms can vary in intensity. While some people experience fatigue and vision problems, there are cases of MS that can cause vision loss, diminished brain function, and paralysis.

MS is a disease that is there throughout your life, but it can and has been successfully managed and researchers are constantly looking for more effective treatments.

What is the main cause of multiple sclerosis?

The exact cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown, but what we do know is that something activates the immune system to attack the brain and spinal cord. The resulting damage to the protective layer insulating wire-like nerve fibers (myelin), disrupts signals to and from the brain. This disruption of communication signals causes irregular symptoms such as fatigue, numbness, tingling, memory problems, pain, vision problems, and/or paralysis. People experience MS differently and these symptoms may be temporary or long-lasting.

How does multiple sclerosis impact daily life?

Obviously, when you deal with any disease, your life will be impacted. MS is the most common neurological disorder that affects young people at their peak. It can interfere with the ability to work, pursue activities, and carry on with everyday activities. It has been reported that more than 50% of people with MS have experienced limitations in their daily activities due to physical weakness, fatigue, balance/coordination, memory/trouble concentrating, tingling/numbness, and more. There’s no cure for multiple sclerosis; however, there are treatments that can help speed recovery from attacks, change the course of the disease, and manage symptoms.

When should you visit a doctor for multiple sclerosis?

You should see your doctor if you have more than one symptom of multiple scleroses, such as:

• Blurred vision or eye pain
• Continually fatigued
• Frequent urination or unable to empty bladder
• Muscle stiffness or tremors
• Dizziness or unsteadiness on your feet
• Slurred speech

It can be difficult for doctors to diagnose multiple sclerosis as there is not a single test that you can take to prove you have it and many conditions have symptoms that seem like those of MS. It is important that your doctor is insistent in looking for a diagnosis.

The caring medical professionals at Cape Fear Physical Medicine, are there to test, diagnose and treat multiple sclerosis. Call or book an appointment. We serve patients from Fayetteville NC, Hope Mills NC, Cedar Creek NC, Eastover NC, Woodfield NC, and Fenix NC.