Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. MS attacks the protective sheath of the nerves, thus creating communicating problems between the brain and the rest of the body. Eventually, this disease can cause permanent damage in the nerves. MS affects each person differently. Some patients suffer intense nerve damage and lose their ability to walk, while others have almost no symptoms.

Currently, there is no cure for MS. However, there are treatments available to help manage symptoms, change the course of the disease and aid in recovery. There are many symptoms of multiple sclerosis MS, and individuals have a relapsing-remitting disease course. Individuals will experience new or relapsing symptoms that gradually improve over time. Relapses are then followed by disease remission. Here are the early warning signs of MS:

1. Vision problems
People who suffer from multiple sclerosis may have vision problems. One common ailment is partial or complete loss of vision. Typically, this begins in one eye and travels to the next, with pain accompanying eye movements. Other afflictions include prolonged double vision and blurry vision. In one in four cases, the first noticeable sign are eye issues due to problems with the optic nerve.

2. Tingling and numbness
Other symptoms of multiple sclerosis include abnormal feelings of tingling and numbness in the body. Not every person will have the same ailments, but these are two common ones. Affected areas include the torso, arms or legs. Over time these sensations will spread to other parts of the body.

3. Pain and spasms
Because multiple sclerosis affects nerves, it can create pains and spasms in the body. People may experience spasms where they experience their muscles contracting tightly and painfully. Others feel spasticity, meaning their muscles become stiff and are difficult to move.

4. Weakness or fatigue
Many people who suffer from multiple sclerosis experience weakness or fatigue in their body. Multiple sclerosis is debilitating and incredibly hard on the body. For these reasons, it is common to experience pain.

5. Balance problems or dizziness
Multiple sclerosis makes walking and general movement painful and difficult. These difficulties are heightened if individuals experience muscle weakness or spasticity. Many individuals experience clumsiness or difficulty with their balance and coordination, also known as ataxia. Others will have shaking of their limbs, referred to as tremors. Additionally, they may experience dizziness and vertigo, causing them to feel as if the room around them is spinning.

6. Bladder issues
Bladder and bowel issues are common for people with multiple sclerosis. Problems may include having to pee more frequently, having a sudden urge to pee and causing someone to unintentionally pass urine, or even having problems emptying the bladder. Many people will experience bladder issues in addition to bowel issues. Bowel issues include constipation or bowel incontinence.

7. Cognitive problems
Some people may experience cognitive dysfunctions that cause issues with their thinking, learning and planning. Issues may include issues remembering and learning new things, slowness in multitasking or processing information and a shortened attention span. Additionally, people may experience issues with processing visual information, not knowing how to take the steps to problem solve and an impacted ability to reason.