Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease. MS causes the protective sheath surrounding the nerves to be destroyed by the body’s immune system. When the protective sheath around nerves is destroyed the result is an interference with the brain’s communication with the rest of the body. MS symptoms can vary among people and will depend on the nerves that are affected. Women are twice as likely to develop MS as men. However, research has found that men with the disease are more likely to pass it on to their offspring than women.
Symptoms of MS in men generally begin to occur between 20 and 40 years of age. This is the same ages for women as well. In the beginning of the disease the man can experience vague symptoms such as a burning or itching on the face, arms, legs or trunk of the body. Fingers in the hand may become stiff and lose their dexterity. Double vision is listed among the common symptoms of MS in men as well as blurring of the vision. Central vision can be impaired as well as partial blindness in one eye. Other problems with the eyes such as eye pain can occur in men. Men can also experience numbness or tingling in the arms and legs, which is among the first symptoms that will be noticed. Sometimes these feelings can come which can cause the person to believe they are just experiencing a pinched nerve. Men who have early stages of MS may also feel a feeling much like an electric shock upon certain movements, like when reaching for an object or turning your head. The man’s strength is often compromised as the disease progresses.
Another one of the symptoms of MS in men is increased difficulty to move the arms, hands, legs or feet leading eventually to paralysis. This paralysis may also affect the ability to swallow or speak. The symptoms of MS in men can also include erectile disfunction (ED). As much as 75% of all men with MS suffer from ED. Sometimes the medications used to treat men with MS may cause erectile dysfunction, which adds to the psychological stress of the disease. Men who have MS and who are experiencing erectile dysfunction should discuss this symptom with their doctor. Treatment for ED may be possible and can include using such medications as alprostadil and papaverine.
Men with multiple sclerosis may also lose control of the bladder and/or bowels. Some other symptoms are loss of balance and coordination and muscle and joint stiffness. Men experience fatigue and lethargy as well. Many symptoms of MS in men are often thought to be the normal occurrences associated with the aging process and may not be alarming enough for the man to go in for a checkup in the early stages. It is common for men with MS to experience dizziness and vertigo. Unexplained chronic pain in the body is also common. Men who have MS may also experience mood swings and often suffer from severe depression. In rare cases, men can suffer from headaches, hearing loss or seizures when they have multiple sclerosis. As the disease progresses men who have MS can also suffer from dementia.
The symptoms of MS in men can increase during hot weather. Taking hot showers or baths can increase the symptoms. Fevers associated with infections can also increase the severity of the symptoms. Men who experience vague feelings, numbness, tingling in extremities and changes in vision should not ignore these symptoms as they may be the symptoms of MS in men, not normal aging. Getting diagnosed and treated early is the best plan of action. With medical intervention the symptoms of MS can be treated which can mean less relapses.
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