The disease with a thousand faces

As an inflammatory disorder in which all structures of the nervous system are affected, the symptoms of MS are quite diverse and differ during the disease course. They usually occur during an attack. An attack lasts for at least 24 hours. The first symptoms are most frequently visual disturbances or sensory disturbances such as partial numbness or pain.

If the motor system is affected, some paralysis will occur. Further symptoms are disturbances in movement coordination, fatigue and limitations in mental performance (e.g. problems with retentiveness or concentration) as well as psychiatric disorders.

If during the MS attack the vegetative nervous system is involved, the patients may lose control of bladder or intestinal functions. Disturbances in sexual functions may also occur.

During the entire course of the disease MS patients most frequently suffer from fatigue, disturbances in bladder function and paralysis.