Multiple sclerosis (MS) can cause a wide range of symptoms, and recognizing potential early warning signs may help people know when to seek medical attention. According to a neurologist at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute, some symptoms to watch for include fatigue, numbness, and weakness, although the condition can look different from one person to another.
During an episode of the Baptist HealthTalk podcast, host Sandra Peebles sat down with Dr. Luis Compres-Brugal, a neurologist at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute, to discuss the early signs of MS and the neurological changes that may signal a possible attack.
“When people search the internet and they look up MS, they often ask, ‘What are the early signs?’” Peebles asked. “So, in your opinion, a medical opinion, what are the first warning signs? Those red flags that let you know, ‘Yes, it’s multiple sclerosis.’”
Compres-Brugal explained that identifying the condition based on symptoms alone can be challenging because MS affects people in different ways. “Multiple sclerosis can manifest in so many different ways,” he said. “We call it the disease of a hundred faces. So, I have not seen a patient that looks like the other.”
While these symptoms do not automatically mean someone has MS, the neurologist highlighted several possible signs worth understanding.
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1. Persistent or Unusual Fatigue
Fatigue can be one of the symptoms associated with MS, according to Compres-Brugal. Unlike ordinary tiredness after a busy day, fatigue related to a medical condition may feel overwhelming or interfere with daily activities.
However, fatigue is common and can have many possible causes, including sleep problems, infections, anemia, and other medical conditions. Experiencing fatigue alone does not mean a person has multiple sclerosis.
2. Numbness or Tingling
Numbness is another potential symptom of MS, Compres-Brugal explained. Some people may notice altered sensation, tingling, or a feeling that part of their body has gone numb. Such sensory changes can occur for many reasons, including nerve compression and other neurological conditions. New, persistent, or unexplained numbness should be assessed by a healthcare professional, particularly if it occurs alongside other neurological symptoms.
3. Weakness on One Side of the Body
Compres-Brugal also identified weakness on one side of the body as a possible symptom. Depending on the underlying cause, weakness may affect movement, coordination, or a person's ability to carry out everyday tasks.
The neurologist noted that symptoms associated with MS may come and go over time. He also explained that an MS attack, sometimes called a relapse, involves new or clearly worsening neurological symptoms that can last for hours or days, although the duration and pattern can vary.
“One of the most common ones is a vision loss,” he added, pointing to changes in vision as another important neurological symptom.
When Should You Seek Medical Attention?
MS is a disease of the central nervous system that can affect the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms vary considerably, and fatigue, numbness, weakness, or vision changes can also be caused by conditions other than MS. No single symptom is enough to establish a diagnosis.
Anyone experiencing new or unexplained neurological symptoms should contact a healthcare professional for an appropriate evaluation. Sudden weakness on one side of the body or sudden vision loss can also signal a medical emergency, including a stroke, and warrants immediate emergency care. Do not wait to see whether symptoms go away.
The key takeaway from Compres-Brugal's discussion is that MS does not present identically in every person. Paying attention to new neurological changes—and seeking timely medical advice rather than attempting to diagnose the condition online—is an important step toward getting the right evaluation and care.
