10 Signs and Symptoms of SPMS
Cognitive challenges
Fewer relapses
Decreased endurance
Fatigue
Leg and hip weakness
Worsening arm weakness
Bowel, urinary, or genital issues
Sensory issues
Balance problems
Walking issues
Cognitive Challenges
As SPMS causes existing multiple sclerosis symptoms to worsen, it often brings cognitive changes. This can include difficulties with remembering, processing information, or learning new things.
Cognitive challenges
As SPMS causes existing multiple sclerosis symptoms to worsen, it often brings cognitive changes. This can include difficulties with remembering, processing information, or learning new things.
Bowel, Urinary, or Genital Issues
Issues affecting the bowels, urinary tract, or genital areas are common among people with SPMS. This may be due to weakness in the sphincter muscles, which relax or tighten to control how and when waste is able to leave the body.
Fewer relapses
People with RRMS often experience long periods of remission in between MS symptom flares. But when the condition transitions to SPMS, the frequency of relapses may decrease or stop entirely, while disability continues to progress.
Walking issues
Walking and coordination challenges are among the most common symptoms of SPMS. These issues can vary from person to person but often involve leg spasticity and drop foot.
Decreased endurance
One of the most common symptoms experienced by people progressing to SPMS is decreased endurance. Your endurance may decline if your muscles stop receiving impulses due to damaged nerve fibers along your brain and spinal cord.
Fewer Relapses
People with RRMS often experience long periods of remission in between MS symptom flares. But when the condition transitions to SPMS, the frequency of relapses may decrease or stop entirely, while disability continues to progress.
Sensory issues
Sensory issues, including numbness and tingling, are common among people with MS. When these symptoms worsen gradually over time, independent of new attacks, it may indicate progression to SPMS.
Leg and Hip Weakness
A study found that about two-thirds of participants who experienced lower-limb weakness felt it primarily in their hips and thighs. Some people describe this sensation as feeling like a heavy bag of sand attached to their legs.
Leg and hip weakness
A study found that about two-thirds of participants who experienced lower-limb weakness felt it primarily in their hips and thighs. Some people describe this sensation as feeling like a heavy bag of sand attached to their legs.
Fatigue
Fatigue in MS can affect cognitive functions, affecting your ability to think clearly or remember information, as well as causing physical fatigue that limits daily activities. Many people with MS also experience sleep disruptions due to muscle spasms or pain.
Bowel, urinary, or genital issues
Issues affecting the bowels, urinary tract, or genital areas are common among people with SPMS. This may be due to weakness in the sphincter muscles, which relax or tighten to control how and when waste is able to leave the body.
Balance Problems
Issues with balance commonly affect people with SPMS. Balance issues may make you feel dizzy, causing difficulty if you try to stand up or move.
Worsening arm weakness
If you notice a gradual and sustained decline in upper body strength, your healthcare provider may consider this as part of their evaluation for potential progression to SPMS.
Sensory Issues
Sensory issues, including numbness and tingling, are common among people with MS. When these symptoms worsen gradually over time, independent of new attacks, it may indicate progression to SPMS.
Walking Issues
Walking and coordination challenges are among the most common symptoms of SPMS. These issues can vary from person to person but often involve leg spasticity and drop foot.
Balance problems
Issues with balance commonly affect people with SPMS. Balance issues may make you feel dizzy, causing difficulty if you try to stand up or move.
Decreased Endurance
One of the most common symptoms experienced by people progressing to SPMS is decreased endurance. Your endurance may decline if your muscles stop receiving impulses due to damaged nerve fibers along your brain and spinal cord.
Fatigue
Fatigue in MS can affect cognitive functions, affecting your ability to think clearly or remember information, as well as causing physical fatigue that limits daily activities. Many people with MS also experience sleep disruptions due to muscle spasms or pain.
Worsening Arm Weakness
If you notice a gradual and sustained decline in upper body strength, your healthcare provider may consider this as part of their evaluation for potential progression to SPMS.
[MS-0235] 10 Signs and Symptoms of SPMS
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Transcript
10 Signs and Symptoms of SPMS
Cognitive challenges
Fewer relapses
Decreased endurance
Fatigue
Leg and hip weakness
Worsening arm weakness
Bowel, urinary, or genital issues
Sensory issues
Balance problems
Walking issues
Cognitive Challenges
As SPMS causes existing multiple sclerosis symptoms to worsen, it often brings cognitive changes. This can include difficulties with remembering, processing information, or learning new things.
Cognitive challenges
As SPMS causes existing multiple sclerosis symptoms to worsen, it often brings cognitive changes. This can include difficulties with remembering, processing information, or learning new things.
Bowel, Urinary, or Genital Issues
Issues affecting the bowels, urinary tract, or genital areas are common among people with SPMS. This may be due to weakness in the sphincter muscles, which relax or tighten to control how and when waste is able to leave the body.
Fewer relapses
People with RRMS often experience long periods of remission in between MS symptom flares. But when the condition transitions to SPMS, the frequency of relapses may decrease or stop entirely, while disability continues to progress.
Walking issues
Walking and coordination challenges are among the most common symptoms of SPMS. These issues can vary from person to person but often involve leg spasticity and drop foot.
Decreased endurance
One of the most common symptoms experienced by people progressing to SPMS is decreased endurance. Your endurance may decline if your muscles stop receiving impulses due to damaged nerve fibers along your brain and spinal cord.
Fewer Relapses
People with RRMS often experience long periods of remission in between MS symptom flares. But when the condition transitions to SPMS, the frequency of relapses may decrease or stop entirely, while disability continues to progress.
Sensory issues
Sensory issues, including numbness and tingling, are common among people with MS. When these symptoms worsen gradually over time, independent of new attacks, it may indicate progression to SPMS.
Leg and Hip Weakness
A study found that about two-thirds of participants who experienced lower-limb weakness felt it primarily in their hips and thighs. Some people describe this sensation as feeling like a heavy bag of sand attached to their legs.
Leg and hip weakness
A study found that about two-thirds of participants who experienced lower-limb weakness felt it primarily in their hips and thighs. Some people describe this sensation as feeling like a heavy bag of sand attached to their legs.
Fatigue
Fatigue in MS can affect cognitive functions, affecting your ability to think clearly or remember information, as well as causing physical fatigue that limits daily activities. Many people with MS also experience sleep disruptions due to muscle spasms or pain.
Bowel, urinary, or genital issues
Issues affecting the bowels, urinary tract, or genital areas are common among people with SPMS. This may be due to weakness in the sphincter muscles, which relax or tighten to control how and when waste is able to leave the body.
Balance Problems
Issues with balance commonly affect people with SPMS. Balance issues may make you feel dizzy, causing difficulty if you try to stand up or move.
Worsening arm weakness
If you notice a gradual and sustained decline in upper body strength, your healthcare provider may consider this as part of their evaluation for potential progression to SPMS.
Sensory Issues
Sensory issues, including numbness and tingling, are common among people with MS. When these symptoms worsen gradually over time, independent of new attacks, it may indicate progression to SPMS.
Walking Issues
Walking and coordination challenges are among the most common symptoms of SPMS. These issues can vary from person to person but often involve leg spasticity and drop foot.
Balance problems
Issues with balance commonly affect people with SPMS. Balance issues may make you feel dizzy, causing difficulty if you try to stand up or move.
Decreased Endurance
One of the most common symptoms experienced by people progressing to SPMS is decreased endurance. Your endurance may decline if your muscles stop receiving impulses due to damaged nerve fibers along your brain and spinal cord.
Fatigue
Fatigue in MS can affect cognitive functions, affecting your ability to think clearly or remember information, as well as causing physical fatigue that limits daily activities. Many people with MS also experience sleep disruptions due to muscle spasms or pain.
Worsening Arm Weakness
If you notice a gradual and sustained decline in upper body strength, your healthcare provider may consider this as part of their evaluation for potential progression to SPMS.