Can MS affect internal organs?

Summary. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that can affect the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Common symptoms include fatigue, bladder and bowel problems, sexual problems, pain, cognitive and mood changes such as depression, muscular changes and visual changes.

How many organs does multiple sclerosis affect?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).

Can MS mess with your digestive system?

Overview. Bowel dysfunction can cause a great deal of discomfort and embarrassment, and can aggravate other MS symptoms such as spasticity or bladder dysfunction. Constipation, loss of control of the bowels, and diarrhea are among the bowel problems that can occur in MS (. pdf).

What are the GI symptoms of multiple sclerosis?

Nearly two-thirds of MS patients have at least one GI symptom that persists for 6 months or more. Some of the most common problems are: 1) Dysphagia, 2) Heartburn, 3) Nausea, 4) Dyspepsia, 5) Diarrhea, 6) Constipation, and 7) Fecal Incontinence.

What part of the body does MS affect first?

Vision problems

In around 1 in 4 cases of MS, the first noticeable symptom is a problem with one of your eyes (optic neuritis). You may experience: some temporary loss of vision in the affected eye, usually lasting for days to weeks.

How Multiple Sclerosis Affects The Body - Yale Medicine Explains

What areas of the body does MS affect?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). In MS , the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body.

Where do you hurt with MS?

Tightness or stiffness of the muscles, called spasticity, is caused directly by MS. Spasticity, will alter walking and cause pulling on the joints. This can result in pain typically in the ankles, knees, hips and back.

Does your stomach swell with MS?

Many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) struggle with intestinal issues. There is evidence of the link between gut health and MS. Bloating is a common result of these issues.

Does MS affect your abdomen?

The 'MS hug' is symptom of MS that feels like an uncomfortable, sometimes painful feeling of tightness or pressure, usually around your stomach or chest. The pain or tightness can stretch all around the chest or stomach, or it can be just on one side.

Does MS affect bladder and bowel?

Impairments in bladder function with multiple sclerosis (MS) are common and may affect up to 78 to 90 percent of patients during the course of MS. The prevalence of bowel dysfunction in MS is estimated to be about 68 percent of patients. Bladder and bowel symptoms are relatively common in MS and can be treated.

What bladder and bowel problems does MS cause?

Other symptoms include greater or less frequent passing of urine, urinary tract infections and nocturia (the need to urinate frequently overnight). Bowel issues (affecting stools, faeces or poo) can include constipation, faecal incontinence, passing of wind and diarrhoea.

What are the final stages of multiple sclerosis?

These common symptoms may develop or worsen during the final stages of MS: Vision problems, including blurriness or blindness. Muscle weakness. Difficulty with coordination and balance.

Does MS affect your kidneys?

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) are more likely to develop kidney or bladder stones than those without MS, a new study concludes.

What is the number one cause of multiple sclerosis?

Boston, MA – Multiple sclerosis (MS), a progressive disease that affects 2.8 million people worldwide and for which there is no definitive cure, is likely caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), according to a study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers.

What bacteria is linked to MS?

They found that two bacterial groups, Acinetobacter and Akkermansia, were four times more abundant in MS patients than in individuals with no disease. Another group, Parabacteroides, was four times as abundant in healthy people.

Why do people with MS have bowel problems?

Bowel problems in MS occur as a result of the disruption of messages between the brain and various parts of the digestive system. This causes problems with sensation in the back passage and control of the muscles at the bottom of the anus, resulting in problems such as constipation and incontinence.

Is acid reflux a symptom of MS?

Many people living with MS experience gastrointestinal symptoms caused or made worse by their illness. These symptoms include heartburn, indigestion, bloating, and regurgitation.

Can MS cause a lazy bowel?

Also, MS may block the natural increase in activity of the colon following meals. Most individuals experience constipation or slow bowel. Some people with MS have reported bowel incontinence (loss of bowel control) and diarrhea, although these latter symptoms are less common than constipation in individuals with MS.

Can MS cause rapid gastric emptying?

Conclusions: The gastric emptying rate is slow in MS patients. As for lower bowel disturbances, the gastric emptying rate was obviously affected in patients complaining of constipation and fecal incontinence, although statistical significance was not reached.

Can MS cause gas?

up to 25-30% of all MS patients suffer from dyspepsia, a rate that is twice that of the general population.” Dyspepsia is pain, bloating, and an uncomfortable feeling of fullness.

What does MS neuropathy feel like?

Numbness or Tingling

A lack of feeling or a pins-and-needles sensation can be the first sign of the nerve damage from MS. It usually happens in the face, arms, or legs, and on one side of the body. It also tends to go away on its own.

What pain meds are given for MS?

Cross notes that these drugs include the anticonvulsants Neurontin (gabapentin), Tegretol (carbamazepine), and Dilantin (phenytoin), as well as the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline. For spasticity, the drugs baclofen and Zanaflex (tizanidine) can greatly reduce painful cramping and other symptoms.

What do MS legs feel like?

The weakness can make your legs feel heavy, as if they are being weighed down by something. They may also ache and hurt. Some people with MS describe it as like having bags of sand attached to their legs. This muscle weakness combined with MS fatigue can be upsetting.