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According to a 2019 funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, almost 1 million people in the US have received a diagnosis of the disorder. MS is a chronic neurological disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, a mixture of proteins and fatty acids that make up the protective covering of nerve fibers. Over the years, multiple influential figures have spoken about the disorder in great detail and one of them is Hollywood actress Selma Blair who in a recent conversation with Variety shared how doctors dismissed her MS symptom of crippling pain and fatigue for years until she was in her 40s.

Multiple Sclerosis can have early warning symptoms that are typical for any condition but it is vital to consider them as early warning signs before your condition worsens. Below, find five early warning signs of MS you shouldn't ignore.

Fatigue


Along with muscular symptoms, MS can also cause other symptoms such as intermittent or constant fatigue, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. As per published in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, fatigue is a common symptom of MS ranging from 36-90% of those affected. This is defined by a lack of physical or mental energy that interferes with a person's usual or desired activities.

Cognitive struggles


While most of us attribute cognitive struggles to fatigue and health, it could be a glaring warning sign of MS. These are common in progressive multiple sclerosis such as difficulty in everyday decision making, making everyday conversations, performance of everyday tasks, thinking process and more, as per the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Mood changes


Since MS is a neurological disorder it can manifest in the form of psychiatric symptoms such as mood changes, depression or difficulty expressing emotions. A published in The Primary Care Companion For CNS Disorders shared the case of a 40-year-old woman who experienced episodic mood changes like depression and anxiety before the exacerbation of MS.

Clumsiness

Another dismissed yet very common sign of multiple sclerosis is difficulty with maintaining balance and coordination. The immune system's attacks disrupt the normal flow of nerve signals to and from the brain, thus leading to problems in motor functions such as these. Sometimes, this can be a part of the Useless Hand Syndrome (UHS), which involves clumsiness in complex finger movements and loss of manual dexterity. UHS is also often associated with MS.

Bladder control


According to the , 90% of MS patients develop a lower urinary tract disorder within 18 years of diagnosis. This can be urgency, frequent urination, and urge incontinence. While most might associate this with infection or other conditions, it is a sign of MS.