MS symptoms and signs

Sean Taylor
Aug 2
3 min read

Updated: Aug 3

Information takes from MS Society website link at end of Blog.

The MS Society – a community of people living with MS, scientists, campaigners, volunteers and fundraisers.

We understand what life’s like with MS, and we support each other through the highs, lows and everything in between.

And we’re driving research into more – and better – treatments. For everyone.

MS symptoms and signs

There are lots of different MS symptoms, but not everyone will experience all of them.

Some multiple sclerosis symptoms include:

fatigue
numbness and tingling
loss of balance and dizziness
stiffness or spasms
tremor
pain
bladder and bowel problems
vision problems
problems with memory and thinking

MS symptoms can come and go and change over time. They can be mild, or more severe.

The symptoms of MS are caused by your immune system attacking the nerves in your brain or spinal cord by mistake. These nerves control lots of different parts of your body.

That’s why you can get MS symptoms in many parts of your body, and why everyone’s MS is different.

Visible MS symptoms

Balance, walking and dizziness

Problems with balance and feeling dizzy are common in MS, and can have knock-on effects on your walking.

Spasms and stiffness

Muscle stiffness and spasms are common MS symptoms, and are often described as 'spasticity'.

Tremor

A tremor can be described as a rhythmic trembling or shaking movement that you can't control.

Speech problems

Speech difficulties can come and go through the day, perhaps lasting only a few minutes at a time, and may be a symptom that appears during a relapse.

Invisible MS symptoms

Fatigue

Fatigue in MS is not just an ordinary tiredness, like you might get at the end of a hard day's work. People describe it as an overwhelming sense of tiredness with no obvious cause.

Bladder problems

Bladder problems are common in MS, but there is usually something that can be done to help.

Eyes and sight

It’s very common for multiple sclerosis to cause eye problems, and many people with MS have problems with their vision at one time or another.

Pain

A lot of people with MS experience pain at some time. It varies from person to person and over time, but drug treatments and other therapies can help you cope.

MS hug

The ‘MS hug’ is an MS symptom where you feel pain or tightness around the chest or stomach area. It’s not dangerous, but it can be frightening, especially if you haven’t come across it before.

Swallowing

At least a third of people with MS probably experience some changes in their swallowing at some time. Health care professionals might call swallowing difficulties ‘dysphagia’.

Bowel problems

Some people with MS will never experience bowel problems, but up to 7 in 10 people with MS will get a bowel problem at some stage, either constipation or incontinence (leakage).

Memory and thinking

Problems with memory and thinking - also called 'cognitive problems' - can affect people with MS, but most people will be affected mildly.

Mental health

The emotional effects of MS often go undiagnosed. This doesn't mean there aren't ways to manage them.

Hearing problems

Hearing problems aren't a common symptom with MS. But people with MS can experience can sometimes experience problems such as tinnitus, increased sensitivity and loss of hearing.

Hearing problems

Hearing problems aren't a common symptom with MS. But people with MS can experience can sometimes experience problems such as tinnitus, increased sensitivity and loss of hearing.

Find out more about MS symptoms and diagnosis

Early signs of MS

MS can cause a wide range of symptoms and there's no exact list of early signs. A first symptom for one person may never be experienced by someone else.