These 5 Very Common Symptoms Can Indicate MS 15 Years Before Diagnosis

John Lord Vicente on Unsplash" />According to the Multiple Sclerosis Trust, an estimated 2.9 million people in the world have multiple sclerosis (MS). The UK has more than 150,000 people living with MS.MS is two to three times more common in women than it is in men, and the trust advises that some studies suggest that prevalence in women is increasing. Now, new research published in JAMA has found that poor mental health, among other symptoms, could be an early indicator of MS. University of British Columbia epidemiologist Marta Ruiz-Algueró and colleagues investigated the medical histories of 2,038 patients with MS in Canada and compared them to 10,182 patients without and found a commonality in symptoms.The common symptoms presented 15 years before MS diagnosisThe researchers found that patients who went on to develop MS had presented to their physicians with symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, dizziness, anxiety, and depression more often than the general population.These symptoms appeared as early as 15 years before diagnosis, before more established symptoms were first detected. The researchers also identified a spike in visits to neurologists and ophthalmologists around 8 to 9 years before their diagnosis. This was then followed by a surge of visits for physical symptoms in the lead-up to diagnosis.Speaking to ScienceAlert, Ruiz-Algueró says: “We’re only now starting to understand what these early warning signs are, with mental health-related issues appearing to be among the earliest indicators,“These patterns suggest that MS has a long and complex prodromal phase – where something is happening beneath the surface but hasn’t yet declared itself as MS.”So, what are the symptoms of MS?According to the NHS, there are lots of possible symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Everyone with the condition is affected differently.Some of the most common symptoms include:feeling extremely tired (fatigue)problems with your eyes or your vision, such as blurred vision or eye painnumbness or a tingling feeling in different parts of the bodyfeeling off balance, dizzy or clumsy (uncoordinated)muscle cramps, spasms and stiffnessneeding to pee more often or not being able to control when you peeproblems with memory or concentrationsexual problems, including a dry vagina or erection problemsIf you’re concerned about any of the above symptoms, speak to your GP.Help and support:Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email [email protected] Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.Related...RSD May Be 'Common' With ADHD – Here Are Its SymptomsA New COVID Variant Is Here, And It's More Transmissible – Here Are The Signs And SymptomsMost Of Us Have Never Heard Of This 'Silent' Cancer – Here Are 4 Symptoms

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