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Multiple Sclerosis:
A Patient Guide
Understanding MS, recognizing symptoms, navigating treatment, and taking an active role in your care.
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What Is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition that affects the central nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.
In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks myelin—the protective covering surrounding nerve fibers. This inflammation can damage myelin and sometimes the underlying nerve fibers, making it harder for messages to travel between the brain and the rest of the body.
MS affects each person differently. Symptoms depend on where changes occur within the central nervous system and may include vision problems, numbness or tingling, weakness, balance difficulties, fatigue, muscle stiffness, or changes in thinking and concentration.
Symptoms may come and go, occur during relapses, or gradually change over time. Your neurology team can help determine your MS pattern and develop an individualized treatment and monitoring plan.
COMMON MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SYMPTOMS
Vision & Sensory Changes
Movement & Balance
Fatigue, Thinking & Other Symptoms
MS may cause blurred or double vision, pain with eye movement, numbness, tingling, burning sensations, or other changes in sensation.
Muscle weakness, stiffness or spasms, difficulty walking, poor coordination, tremor, and problems with balance may occur.
atigue is common in MS. Some people may also experience problems with concentration or memory, dizziness, bladder or bowel changes, or changes in mood.
Understanding MS Relapses & Disease Patterns
MS symptoms can change over time. You may experience:
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Relapses — new or worsening neurological symptoms
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Remissions — periods when symptoms improve or remain stable
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Temporary symptom worsening — heat, illness, stress, or fatigue can temporarily make previous MS symptoms more noticeable without representing a new relapse
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Progression — some people experience gradual worsening of neurological function over time
Contact your neurology team if you develop new or significantly worsening neurological symptoms. They can help determine whether the change may represent an MS relapse or another medical problem.
Multiple sclerosis can behave differently from one person to another. Some people experience relapses, which are episodes of new or worsening neurological symptoms caused by MS inflammation.
A relapse generally develops over hours to days, lasts at least 24 hours, and occurs without another explanation such as fever or infection. Symptoms may improve completely or partially as the relapse resolves.
How Is Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosed?
Medical History & Neurological Exam
MRI
Additional Testing
Your healthcare provider will review your symptoms and medical history and perform a neurological examination. This may include checking vision, strength, sensation, reflexes, coordination, balance, and walking.
MRI of the brain and sometimes the spinal cord can identify areas of inflammation or damage associated with MS. Contrast may be used to help determine whether lesions are active.
There is no single test that diagnoses MS. Depending on your symptoms, additional testing may be necessary, including a lumbar puncture, to analyze cerebrospinal fluid for oligoclonal bands, which can provide evidence of inflammation within the central nervous system and help support an MS diagnosis when interpreted along with your symptoms, examination, and MRI findings.
MS is diagnosed by combining your medical history, neurological examination, imaging, and other test results while considering and excluding other possible causes of your symptoms.
How Is Multiple Sclerosis Treated?
Disease-Modifying Therapy
Managing MS Symptoms
Treatment may also focus on symptoms that affect daily life. Depending on your needs, this may include treatment for fatigue, muscle stiffness or spasms, pain, bladder or bowel problems, walking difficulties, mood changes, or cognitive concerns.
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other rehabilitation services may also be recommended.
Relapse Treatment & Ongoing Monitoring
Some MS relapses may be treated with high-dose corticosteroids to help shorten the duration of symptoms. Your neurology team will determine whether treatment is appropriate based on the severity and type of symptoms.
Ongoing care may include neurological examinations, laboratory monitoring, and periodic MRI scans to evaluate your response to treatment and monitor for disease activity.
Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are used to help reduce MS disease activity, including new relapses and new or enlarging MRI lesions. Treatment options include oral medications, injections, and intravenous infusions.
Your neurology provider will help select a therapy based on your type of MS, disease activity, medical history, lifestyle, treatment goals, and potential risks and benefits.
MS treatment is individualized. Work with your neurology team to understand the benefits, risks, monitoring requirements, and goals of your treatment plan.
Living Well With Multiple Sclerosis
 Follow Your MS Treatment Plan
 Track Symptoms & Changes
 Keep track of new or changing symptoms, including when they started, how long they lasted, and how they affected your daily activities. Report significant new neurological symptoms to your neurology team.
 Support Your Everyday Health
 Prioritize regular sleep, hydration, balanced meals, physical activity as tolerated, and strategies to manage fatigue and stress. Physical or occupational therapy may also help maintain mobility and independence.
Take your MS medication exactly as prescribed and complete recommended laboratory testing, MRI scans, and follow-up visits. Talk with your neurology team before stopping or changing your treatment.
 Prepare for Appointments
Bring an updated medication list and notes about new symptoms, falls, infections, treatment side effects, or changes in your daily functioning. Write down questions you want to discuss with your neurology provider.
When Should I Seek Medical Care?
Seek emergency medical attention for:
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Sudden weakness, numbness, facial drooping, or difficulty speaking
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Sudden severe vision loss
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New severe confusion or loss of consciousness
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A seizure lasting 5 minutes or longer, or repeated seizures without recovery
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Severe difficulty breathing or swallowing
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New neurological symptoms that are sudden or severe, especially when stroke or another emergency could be possible
Contact your neurology team if:
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You develop new or worsening neurological symptoms lasting 24 hours or longer
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Previous MS symptoms become significantly worse
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You develop new vision changes, weakness, numbness, balance problems, or difficulty walking
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Symptoms are interfering more with work, sleep, mobility, or everyday activities
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You develop significant medication side effects
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You have an infection, fever, or other illness associated with worsening MS symptoms
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You are concerned that you may be experiencing an MS relapse
