Living Safely at Home with Multiple Sclerosis

Introduction

Multiple sclerosis, more commonly known as MS, is a lifelong medical condition. It is an autoimmune condition which affects the brain and spinal cord and can cause a vast range of different symptoms. Understanding these symptoms, and particularly how some of them can affect safety at home, is an important step towards living independently and confidently with the condition. In this article, we'll go into more detail about the various symptoms you may develop with MS.

What Causes the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?

With multiple sclerosis, the immune system mistakenly attacks a healthy part of the body: the outer layer protecting the nerves, called the myelin sheath. This can cause damage and scarring to the sheath, and potentially to the nerves underneath, meaning the nerves don't work as they should. As a result, the messages passed along them can be slowed or disrupted. Where this damage occurs within the nervous system is entirely personal to each individual's condition, which is why there's such a wide range of MS symptoms. While this means MS can cause many different effects on the body, it can also make it harder to recognise the condition initially, since it shares similar symptoms with many other illnesses. Symptoms can develop in any order and vary hugely in severity, from almost unnoticeable to very disabling.

Most Common MS Symptoms

Even though an array of symptoms can develop as a result of multiple sclerosis, some symptoms are more commonly seen in patients with the condition.

Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the most prevalent symptoms of MS. As described by the MS Trust, it is a kind of exhaustion which is out of all proportion to the task undertaken, and is very different from the tiredness people without MS may experience. Many people with the condition describe this fatigue as overwhelming, often sudden in onset, and something that infringes on all aspects of daily life. According to the MS Trust, fatigue is one of the major reasons people with MS have to reduce their working hours or stop working altogether. This can be one of the more challenging symptoms of the condition, as it's "invisible" to those around you, who may struggle to understand the severity. Fatigue can also lead to cognitive symptoms, such as difficulty with concentration and word-finding, which can make it challenging for people to describe and explain how they're feeling.

The cause of this symptom isn't fully understood, but it's thought that fatigue could fall into two categories. Primary fatigue is a result of the condition itself, as the body has to work harder and use more energy to cope with the areas of damage MS has caused, resulting in a build-up of exhaustion. Secondary fatigue is a result of the wider effects of living with multiple sclerosis, since depression, pain, and interrupted sleep can all contribute to feelings of fatigue.

Thinking and Memory Problems

Cognitive problems, including issues with thinking, learning, concentrating, and planning, are very common with MS. According to the MS Trust, around half of people with MS are believed to struggle with cognitive problems. These can be quite mild or more severe, and often fluctuate from day to day. Cognitive problems are usually caused by medication side effects or as a result of other symptoms like fatigue. Examples include difficulty learning new things, a short attention span or trouble multitasking, "brain fog" where you struggle to find the right words or process information as you used to, and difficulty problem-solving or reasoning, such as with puzzles.

Some people put these symptoms down to stress or simply being tired, and as a result often miss that they could be a symptom of MS. On the other hand, since many of these symptoms aren't specific to MS, they could also be caused by a wide range of other conditions. If you're concerned about any symptoms you may be experiencing that could be linked to MS, always see your doctor.

Vision Problems

According to the NHS, around one in four cases of multiple sclerosis begins with vision problems, although these symptoms may also develop later on if you've been diagnosed with MS for a more extended period. Several different eye conditions are associated with MS. Optic neuritis is a common eye problem that can cause blind spots and areas of poor vision surrounded by areas of normal vision, usually in one eye only. Double vision, or diplopia, can occur when MS damages the nerve pathways that control eye movements, causing the eyes to become unaligned. Nystagmus is where the eyes flick rapidly side to side or up and down, which may be due to nerve damage to parts of the brain or the optic nerve in people with MS.

The NHS recommends that everyone have their eyes tested routinely at least once every two years, since many sight problems can be treated when caught early, and opticians can also help in diagnosing MS.

Mobility Problems

Multiple sclerosis can cause muscles to weaken and spasm, contributing to various mobility problems. People with MS may start to notice they're tripping or stumbling more frequently and becoming unsteady on their feet. The intensity at which MS affects mobility varies from person to person, and mobility issues aren't always related to MS, so it's always best to consult a health professional if you're experiencing any concerns. Because MS damages the nerves, it can alter how they function, which may cause weakness or spasms in the muscles, or a loss of feeling in the limbs, often affecting the legs. Some people also experience mobility issues as a side effect of other symptoms, such as fatigue or impaired vision. For anyone concerned about mobility and the risk of a fall at home, a personal alarm can offer valuable reassurance, giving you the ability to call for help quickly if you need it.

Other Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

There are several other symptoms of MS to be aware of, including numbness and tingling, pain, depression and anxiety, sexual problems, bladder and bowel problems, and speech and swallowing difficulties.

There are two different types of multiple sclerosis, and symptoms present differently depending on the type. With relapsing and remitting MS, the condition comes in phases lasting days, weeks, or months, during which symptoms worsen, known as a relapse, before improving again. After many years, some people with this type of MS go on to develop a progressive form. With primary progressive MS, symptoms gradually worsen over several years with no periods of remission, although they may stabilise for a time before getting worse again. There are lots of different symptoms that can be associated with MS, but some of them can also relate to other conditions, so if you're ever concerned about your health, you should always consult your doctor.

Living Safely at Home with MS

Our personal alarm service has been designed to help people who suffer from long-term medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis. As mentioned above, those with MS can suffer from spasms and weakened muscles, which increases the risk of a fall or accident in the home. Having an alarm gives you access to our 24/7 Response Team, meaning you'll always be able to call for help in an emergency and continue living safely and independently at home. For more information, please speak to one of our friendly advisers on 0800 101 3333. Alternatively, you can get a personalised alarm plan here on our site.