First 'warning signs' of MS that show up to five years before diagnosis

07 December 2023 , 10:19

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MS affects almost three times as many women as it does men (Stock photo) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

More than 130,000 people are living with MS in the UK - yet most people know very little about the disease.

Approximately 7,000 people are newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis each year. It is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord, and affects almost three times as many women as men.

Most people are likely to receive their diagnosis in their 30s,40s, and 50s - even though their first symptoms came years before. There is no cure for MS, but treatment including medicine is available to help ease some of the unpleasant symptoms.

Therefore, it's important to know what signs to lookout for, and when you should seek help.

Symptoms for MS are varied and unpredictable, with many signs being common side effects of other diseases or minor ailments. Some of the most common symptoms include:

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• Bowel problems
• Bladder problems
• Depression and anxiety
• Difficulties with speech and swallowing
• Mobility problems
• Fatigue
• Vision problems
• Numbness and tingling
• Muscle spasms, stiffness, and weakness
• Pain

A new study published in the journal Neurology examined the medical records of 20,174 people newly diagnosed with MS and compared them to a control group of 54,790 people who did not have the disease, matched according to age and gender.

It found that people with MS are 22% more likely to have depressions, 50% more likely to have constipation, 38% more likely to have UTIs, 47% more likely to have sexual problems, and 21% percent more likely to have bladder problems.

What's more, scientists discovered that 14% of people with MS had prescription antidepressants five years before their diagnosis compared to 10% of people who did not have MS. By five years after the diagnosis, 37% of people with MS had antidepressant prescriptions, compared to 19% without MS.

If you think you might have MS, or if you're concerned about your mental health, it's best to book an appointment with a GP. You'll have to detail the type and pattern of symptoms you're experiencing in detail, and may be referred to a neurologist for an assessment.

You can learn more about living with MS here

Liam Gilliver