DuBOIS — Approximately 1 million people in the U.S. are living with multiple sclerosis (MS). While the symptoms usually appear when people are in the prime of their lives — between the ages of 20 and 40 — the disease can also occur in young children and older adults. Since there is no cure for MS, the most effective treatments are aimed at slowing down its progression, which makes recognizing the symptoms and early warning signs important.

WHAT IS MS?

“Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the central nervous system, which includes the brain and the spinal cord,” said Dr. Oksana Palatna, a neurologist with Penn Highlands Neurology and medical director of the neurology department. “MS disrupts the signals that carry information to and from the brain, making its symptoms very unpredictable.”

While scientists do not know what causes MS, it is known to occur when the immune system attacks the myelin, a protective sheath that covers the nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. The resulting inflammation destroys the myelin and disrupts the communication processes carried out by the nerve fibers.

Women are two to three times more likely to develop MS than men. Caucasians, especially those of European or Scandinavian ancestry, are also at a much greater risk of MS than those of African heritage.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The symptoms of MS vary based on the amount of nerve damage and which specific ones are affected. The most common symptoms include:

■ Numbness or weakness in one or more limbs

■ Electric-shock-like sensations that occur with certain neck movement

■ Tremors

■ Lack of coordination Individuals with MS may also experience vision problems, such as blurred vision, double vision or a partial or complete loss of vision.

Most people with MS have relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis. This means that they experience symptoms that develop over days or weeks and then partially or completely improve.

Remission can last for weeks or months before a relapse occurs and symptoms develop again.

“Symptoms vary widely among patients because MS interrupts how the brain communicates with the rest of the body,” said Palatna. “Some people may lose the ability to walk, while others may experience remission and go for weeks or months without experiencing any symptoms.”

WHAT ARE THE EARLY WARNING SIGNS?

For many people, the early symptoms will last for 24 hours and may include just one symptom or several.

Knowing the early warning signs will help you know when to talk to your doctor about the possibility of MS.

Early warning signs of MS:

■ Unusual sensations, such as itching, burning, stabbing or tearing pains

■ Dizziness or lack of coordination

■ Eye problems

■ Muscle spasms

■ Bladder and bowel problems

■ Fatigue

■ Speech problems

■ Sexual issues

■ Shakes and tremors

■ Trouble learning or problem solving WHEN TO SEEK HELP?

If you experience any of the above symptoms for an unknown reason, you should talk to your doctor. The diagnosis is made based on patient symptoms, history, MRIs and lumbar puncture.

“Multiple sclerosis is an alarming diagnosis because it is so unpredictable. But fortunately, we have treatments that can manage symptoms, speed up recovery after attacks and slow the progression of the disease,” said Palatna.

For more information, visit phhealthcare. org/neurology.