Skip to main content
Logo for WebMD
  • Home
  • Conditions

    Conditions

    View All
    • ADD/ADHD
    • Allergies
    • Arthritis
    • Atrial fibrillation
    • Breast Cancer
    • Cancer
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • DVT
    • Eczema
    • Eye Health
    • Heart Disease
    • HIV & AIDS
    • Lung Disease
    • Lupus
    • Mental Health
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Migraine
    • Pain Management
    • Psoriasis
    • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Sexual Conditions
    • Skin Problems
    • Sleep Disorders
    • Ulcerative Colitis
    • View All
  • Drugs & Supplements

    Drugs & Supplements

    • Drugs
    • Supplements
    • Pill Identifier
    • Interaction Checker
  • Well-Being

    Well-Being

    View All
    • Aging Well
    • Baby
    • Birth Control
    • Children's Health
    • Diet & Weight Management
    • Fitness & Exercise
    • Food & Recipes
    • Healthy Beauty
    • Men's Health
    • Parenting
    • Pet Health
    • Pregnancy
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Teen Health
    • Women's Health
    • View All
  • Symptom Checker
  • Find a Doctor
  • More

    More

    • News
    • Blogs
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
    • Newsletters
    • WebMD Magazine
    • Support Groups
    • Surgeries and Procedures
    • Orthopedics
  • Privacy & More
Log In
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Guide
    • Overview
      • What Is Multiple Sclerosis?
      • MS in Women
      • MS in Children
      • MS in People of Color
    • Types
      • What Are the Different Types of MS?
      • Relapsing-Remitting
      • Secondary Progressive
      • Other Types of Multiple Sclerosis
    • Symptoms
      • MS Symptoms & Early Warning Signs
      • Fatigue
      • Pain
      • Spasticity
      • Flare-Ups
    • Causes & Risks
    • Tests & Diagnosis
    • Treatment
      • Treatments for MS
      • Disease-Modifying Therapy
      • Acute Flareups
      • Symptom Management
      • Complementary & Alternative Medicine
    • Living With
      • Daily Living
      • Seasonal Changes
      • Diet & Exercise
      • Emotional & Mental Health
      • Work, Family & Relationships
      • Other Questions About Multiple Sclerosis
    • Mobility & Assistive Devices
    • Complications
      • Complications From MS
      • Brain & Nervous System
      • Bladder & Gastrointestinal
      • Other Complications
    • Caregiving & Support
    • View Full Guide

    Symptoms

    For every person, the disease develops differently. Yet the early warning signs are quite similar. Learn the symptoms of MS, as well as things that may play a role in causing it.

    1. MS Symptoms & Early Warning Signs

      1. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Symptoms & Early Warning Signs

        How and when symptoms like vision trouble and numbness and tingling are commonly seen.

      2. Multiple Sclerosis and Vision Problems

        Vision problems are pretty common for people with MS. The symptoms usually come and go on their own.

      3. Optic Neuritis: How MS Can Affect Your Vision

        How MS cam affect the optic nerve and cause vision trouble.

      4. What Is the Uhthoff Phenomenon?

        Uhthoff’s phenomenon is most commonly a symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), though it can also coincide with other optic nerve disorders.

      5. Ataxia and MS

        Ataxia is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) that affects about 80% of people with the disease.

      6. MS and Breathing Problems

        When you’re living with multiple sclerosis (MS), there’s a chance you might have trouble breathing.

    2. Fatigue

      1. Multiple Sclerosis and Fatigue

        According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 80% of people with MS have fatigue.

      2. What Causes MS-Related Fatigue?

        When your fatigue comes directly from your MS, it's called primary fatigue.

      3. Fight MS Fatigue

        Multiple sclerosis (MS) can sometimes sap your energy, but it doesn't have to stop you from doing what you love.

    3. Pain

      1. What Is Dysesthesia (Multiple Sclerosis Pain)?

        Dysesthesia means "abnormal sensation." It's usually a painful burning, prickling, or aching feeling.

      2. What Is the MS Hug?

        If you have multiple sclerosis, you might have felt a band of pain around your torso. It’s often called the “MS hug.”

      3. Lhermitte’s Sign: What Is It?

        Lhermitte’s sign, or barber chair sign, and is often one of the symptoms that people mention when they’re first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

    4. Spasticity

      1. Spasticity and MS: How to Control Your Muscles

        Many people with multiple sclerosis have stiff muscles and spasms, a condition called spasticity.

      2. Myoclonus

        Myoclonus is sudden muscle spasms that you can’t control. They can be normal -- a hiccup or a "sleep start" when you’re falling asleep, for example -- or they may be a sign of a serious health condition such as multiple sclerosis, dementia, or Parkinson's disease.

    5. Flare-Ups

      1. How to Recognize an MS Attack

        During an attack, some symptoms you’ve had may get worse, or you could have new ones. How do you know if what you’re having is one?

    Top Picks

    Today on WebMD

    What Is Multiple Sclerosis?

    Learn how this disease affects the nervous system.

    Ways to Treat MS

    Your options for managing symptoms.

    Look and Feel Good With MS

    Ideas on how to boost your mood and self-esteem.

    How Well Are You Managing MS?

    Get personalized treatment options.

    Recommended for You

    What Are the Types of MS?

    Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

    Multiple Sclerosis Causes

    Top doctors in ,

    Find more top doctors on

      Health Solutions from Our Sponsors

      • Penis Curved When Erect?
      • Could I have CAD?
      • Treat Bent Fingers
      • Treat HR+, HER2- MBC
      • Tired of Dandruff?
      • Benefits of CBD
      • Rethink MS Treatment
      • AFib-Related Strokes
      • Risk of a Future DVT/PE
      • Is My Penis Normal?
      • Relapsing MS Options
      • Liver Transplants Save Lives
      • Finance Plastic Surgery
      • Bent Finger Causes
      • Living With Psoriasis?
      • Missing Teeth?

      More from WebMD

      • 5 Tips to Help With Relapsing MS
      • How to Thrive With Narcolepsy
      • Relief for Blocked Hair Follicles
      • Psoriatic Arthritis and Your Sleep
      • What Psoriasis Feels Like
      • First Psoriatic Arthritis Flare
      • Talking to Your Doctor About RA
      • Crohn's: A 'Full-Body' Disease
      • Avoiding Crohn’s Flares
      • Health Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil
      • Live Better With Psoriatic Disease
      • Types of B-Cell Therapy for MS
      • 5 Health Benefits of Hemp
      • Why Prostate Cancer Spreads
      • Living with Advanced Breast Cancer
      • Where Breast Cancer Spreads

      Related Links

      • Multiple Sclerosis Center News
      • Multiple Sclerosis Center Reference
      • Multiple Sclerosis Center Slideshows
      • Multiple Sclerosis Center Blogs
      • Multiple Sclerosis Center Videos
      • MS Community
      • MS Medications
      • Find a Neurologist
      • Living Better With MS
      • Brain & Nervous System
      • Brain Lesions
      • Essential Tremor
      • Fatigue
      • MS in Children
      • Pain Management
      • Schilder's Disease
      • Sleep Problems
      • More Related Topics
      • Policies

        • Privacy Policy
        • Cookie Policy
        • Editorial Policy
        • Advertising Policy
        • Correction Policy
        • Terms of Use
      • About

        • Contact Us
        • About WebMD
        • Careers
        • Newsletter
        • Corporate
        • WebMD Health Services
        • Site Map
        • Accessibility
      • Our Apps

        • WebMD Mobile
        • WebMD App
        • Pregnancy
        • Baby
        • Allergy
      • For Advertisers

        • Advertise with Us
        • Advertising Policy
      • TRUSTe
      • TAG Registered Seal
      • Adchoices

      © 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. All rights reserved. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.

      Logo for WebMD