What Is Multiple Sclerosis? Early Signs You Shouldn't Ignore

Living in Alaska presents unique challenges and rewards. The breathtaking landscapes and strong community bonds are balanced against harsh winters and, for some, limited access to specialized healthcare. When it comes to neurological conditions like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), understanding early warning signs can make all the difference in your journey toward diagnosis and treatment.

As a neurologist practicing at Denali Healthcare Specialists, I've seen firsthand how early detection of MS can dramatically improve outcomes for our Alaskan patients. This article will help you understand what MS is, recognize its early warning signs, and know when to seek medical attention.

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis: The Basics

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic condition affecting the central nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord. In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers, called myelin. This damage disrupts communication between your brain and the rest of your body, potentially leading to a range of physical and cognitive symptoms.

MS is not contagious or directly inherited, though genetics may play a role in susceptibility. It typically affects people between the ages of 20 and 40, and is three times more common in women than men. While MS can occur in any ethnic group, it is more prevalent in Caucasians of Northern European descent.

Interestingly, MS is more common in areas further from the equator, making Alaska a region with higher prevalence rates compared to southern states. This geographic pattern has led researchers to investigate vitamin D and sun exposure as potential factors in MS development.

The Hero's Journey: Living with MS in Alaska

Before we dive into symptoms, I want to emphasize that a diagnosis of MS is not the end of your story—it's a new chapter. Many of my patients continue to lead full, active lives with proper management and treatment.

Living with MS in Alaska presents unique challenges. Our extreme weather conditions can sometimes exacerbate symptoms, and the remoteness of many communities can make access to specialized care more difficult. However, these same challenges have fostered incredible resilience in our MS community and driven innovations in telehealth and support services specifically designed for Alaskans.

Early Warning Signs: What to Watch For

MS can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms vary widely between individuals and can mimic other conditions. However, recognizing these early warning signs could help you seek appropriate medical attention sooner rather than later.

1. Vision Problems

Often one of the earliest symptoms of MS, vision problems occur in about 25% of patients as an initial symptom. These may include:

Blurred vision
Double vision (diplopia)
Pain when moving the eyes
Partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye
Persistent eye pain

These visual disturbances are frequently caused by optic neuritis—inflammation of the optic nerve. While they may resolve on their own after a few weeks, they should never be ignored.

2. Unusual Fatigue

MS-related fatigue is different from normal tiredness. It's overwhelming, happens without warning, and isn't necessarily related to physical exertion. This crushing fatigue affects about 80% of people with MS and can significantly impact daily activities.

If you're experiencing unexplained exhaustion that rest doesn't seem to help, particularly in combination with other symptoms on this list, it may warrant a conversation with your healthcare provider.

3. Numbness and Tingling

Sensations of pins and needles, numbness, or tingling (paresthesia) commonly occur in the face, body, or extremities. These sensations typically affect one side of the body or specific limbs rather than the entire body.

While occasionally experiencing brief numbness or tingling isn't unusual, persistent or recurring sensations without an obvious cause (like sitting in one position too long) could be significant.

4. Muscle Weakness or Spasms

Weakness in one or more limbs can make everyday tasks challenging. You might notice difficulty climbing stairs, trouble maintaining balance, or a tendency to drop things. Muscle spasms or involuntary muscle contractions (spasticity) can also occur, causing stiffness and pain.

5. Balance and Coordination Problems

Difficulty with balance, coordination, or walking (known as ataxia) can manifest as:

Feeling unsteady
Frequent tripping or stumbling
A tendency to bump into walls or furniture
Difficulty with fine motor tasks

For Alaskans navigating icy walkways in winter, changes in balance can be particularly noticeable and concerning.

6. Cognitive Changes

Some people with MS experience what's sometimes called "brain fog" or cognitive changes, which may include:

Memory problems
Difficulty concentrating or problem-solving
Slowed thinking
Trouble finding the right words

These cognitive symptoms can be subtle at first and are sometimes mistaken for stress or aging.

7. Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction

MS can affect the nerves that control your bladder and bowels, leading to:

Frequent urination or urgency
Difficulty emptying the bladder completely
Constipation
Bowel incontinence (less common)

These symptoms can be uncomfortable to discuss but are important to address with your healthcare provider.

8. Unusual Pain

About 55% of people with MS experience pain, which can take various forms:

Sharp, shooting pains (similar to an electric shock), particularly when bending the neck forward (Lhermitte's sign)
Burning, aching, or "pins and needles" sensations
Facial pain, sometimes misdiagnosed as trigeminal neuralgia

9. Heat Sensitivity

Many people with MS notice that their symptoms worsen when their body temperature rises—whether from hot weather, fever, exercise, or a hot bath. This temporary worsening of symptoms with heat (Uhthoff's phenomenon) can be a distinguishing feature of MS.

In Alaska, this might mean you notice your symptoms less during our cold winters but experience flare-ups during summer activities or in heated indoor environments.

10. Unexplained Depression or Mood Changes

Depression, mood swings, and irritability can be early symptoms of MS due to the disease's effect on the brain. While these can certainly be caused by many other factors, unexplained mood changes alongside other physical symptoms might be significant.

When to Seek Help: Your Guide Through Uncertainty

If you're experiencing several of these symptoms, especially if they come and go or affect different parts of your body over time, it's appropriate to consult with a healthcare provider. Remember that many of these symptoms can be caused by other conditions, and experiencing one in isolation rarely indicates MS.

At Denali Healthcare Specialists, we recommend seeking medical attention if:

You experience persistent or recurring episodes of any of these symptoms
Symptoms are affecting your daily activities or quality of life
You have a family history of MS and are experiencing neurological symptoms

It's particularly important not to dismiss these symptoms if you're in the typical age range for MS onset (20-40) or have other risk factors such as:

Being female
Having a first-degree relative with MS
Living in a northern climate like Alaska
Having had certain viral infections like Epstein-Barr

The Diagnostic Journey: What to Expect

Diagnosing MS can be complex and often requires multiple tests to rule out other conditions. If your primary care provider suspects MS, they may refer you to a neurologist for further evaluation.

The diagnostic process typically includes:

A thorough medical history and neurological examination to assess reflexes, coordination, strength, and sensory function
MRI scans to look for characteristic lesions (areas of damage) in the brain and spinal cord
Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to check for specific proteins and immune cells in spinal fluid
Evoked potential tests to measure the electrical activity in response to stimulation of specific sensory nerve pathways

At Denali Healthcare Specialists, we understand that this process can feel overwhelming. Our team is committed to guiding you through each step with clarity and compassion.

Treatment Options: A Path Forward

While there is currently no cure for MS, treatments have advanced significantly in recent years. Early treatment is crucial for managing symptoms and potentially slowing disease progression.

Modern MS treatment typically involves:

Disease-modifying therapies to reduce inflammation and prevent new lesions
Symptom management through medication and rehabilitation
Lifestyle modifications including exercise, stress management, and proper nutrition
Regular monitoring to track disease progression and adjust treatment as needed

IV Infusion Therapy: Advanced Treatment at Denali Healthcare Specialists

At Denali Healthcare Specialists, we're proud to offer state-of-the-art IV infusion therapy for MS patients. These treatments deliver medication directly into the bloodstream, providing several important benefits:

Improved efficacy: Direct delivery into the bloodstream allows for higher bioavailability compared to oral medications
Better symptom control: Many patients experience more consistent symptom relief
Reduced relapse rates: Studies show certain IV therapies can significantly reduce MS relapses
Slower disease progression: Some infusion therapies have demonstrated effectiveness in slowing disability progression
Convenient scheduling: Our flexible infusion schedules work around your life in Alaska

Our comfortable infusion centers are staffed by experienced nurses specialized in MS care, ensuring you receive expert treatment in a supportive environment. We offer multiple FDA-approved infusion therapies and will work with you to determine which option best suits your specific type of MS and lifestyle needs.

For your convenience, IV infusion therapy is available at all of our locations throughout Alaska: Anchorage, Wasilla, Soldotna, and NOW Fairbanks. This expanded network allows us to serve MS patients across the state, reducing travel burdens and making advanced treatment accessible to more Alaskans.

Despite Alaska's remote locations, we work to ensure our patients have access to these advanced treatments through our statewide infusion centers, innovative delivery models, and partnerships with national MS centers.

Living Well with MS in Alaska: Your Support System

At Denali Healthcare Specialists, we believe in treating the whole person, not just the condition. We offer comprehensive support for our MS patients, including:

Specialized neurological care with expertise in MS
Connections to support groups specific to Alaskans with MS
Resources for managing MS in our unique northern environment
Telehealth options for patients in remote areas
Coordination with other specialists as needed

Take Control of Your MS Journey Today

Don't wait until symptoms become debilitating. Early detection and treatment of MS can significantly impact your long-term health and quality of life.

Take the first step toward better management of your neurological health:

Schedule a consultation with our MS specialists at Denali Healthcare Specialists
Discuss your symptoms and concerns with experts who understand MS in Alaska's unique environment
Explore treatment options including our advanced IV infusion therapies available at all locations

Contact us today at (907) 555-1234 or visit www.denalihealthcare.com/ms-care to book your appointment. Same-week appointments are often available.

Remember, you don't have to navigate this journey alone. Our dedicated team is here to provide expert care, guidance, and support every step of the way.

Dr. Arif Chowdhury is a board-certified neurologist specializing in multiple sclerosis and other neuroimmunological disorders at Denali Healthcare Specialists in Alaska.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.

Author

Arif Chowdhury, MD Neurologist at Denali Healthcare Specialists in Alaska