Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Other symptoms include gas pains and abdominal cramps. Scientists don't fully understand IBS or its causes. But it's a common condition, and is thought to be even more so in those with MS. Some research has found that about 20% of people with MS have symptoms of IBS.
Many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) struggle with intestinal issues. There is evidence of the link between gut health and MS. Bloating is a common result of these issues. It's super annoying and always happens at the worst time, such as when you're out and about or wearing something fitted to an event.
Most individuals experience constipation or slow bowel. Some people with MS have reported bowel incontinence (loss of bowel control) and diarrhea, although these latter symptoms are less common than constipation in individuals with MS. Constipation is very common among people with MS.
Up to 30 percent of people with MS report having indigestion symptoms, compared to 8 percent of the general population. Many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience gastroparesis, a feeling of fullness, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain shortly after consuming food.
While constipation is the most common pattern of bowel dysfunction in people with MS, the opposite can also be true and bowel function can actually “speed up”, causing loose stools, diarrhea, and incontinence. Sometimes, loose stools are caused by foods in your diet.
Typical symptoms include difficulty swallowing, heartburn and water brash/reflux. Severe reflux can also result in acid spilling over into the lungs, that can aggravate any lung involvement. The stomach is less commonly involved in SSc.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).
Gastroparesis and MS
It is when the stomach cannot empty itself of food normally, and movement through the digestive system is slowed. This can lead to vomiting, abdominal bloating or pain, and feeling like you're full even after eating only a few bites, among other symptoms.
The 'MS hug' is symptom of MS that feels like an uncomfortable, sometimes painful feeling of tightness or pressure, usually around your stomach or chest. The pain or tightness can stretch all around the chest or stomach, or it can be just on one side. The MS hug can feel different from one person to another.
It's not fully understood how and why constipation happens in MS but research has identified a number of factors which may be involved and can be experienced at the same time. Sluggish bowel occurs in some people with MS where waste travels through the colon more slowly.
One study found that MS can cause changes to the intestinal tissues. This change in the gut — sometimes called “leaky gut” — allows for various materials to enter, change the microbiota (intestinal bacteria), and trigger an autoimmune response. Leaky gut may also be a contributing factor to IBD or its symptoms.
Swallowing air (aerophagia) can cause abdominal bloating and gas. This can occur while sleeping, eating, talking, drinking or in times of stress. You can even swallow air while laughing. In addition to swallowing air, foods rich in prebiotics and fiber are known to produce excess gas.
Excess gas is often a symptom of chronic intestinal conditions, such as diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Small bowel bacterial overgrowth. An increase or change in the bacteria in the small intestine can cause excess gas, diarrhea and weight loss.
Dietary choices, such as consuming too many gas-producing foods (beans, potatoes, corn, onions, apples and high-fiber products). Digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), lactose intolerance and celiac disease. Intestinal infections, such as giardiasis, that cause an overgrowth of intestinal bacteria.
If you've been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) you might be surprised to learn that you're more likely to develop irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Many people with MS have gastrointestinal (GI) issues such as constipation, trouble controlling bowel movements, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). That's because your central nervous system helps to control your digestive system. Other common problems include: Nausea.
These include fibromyalgia and vitamin B12 deficiency, muscular dystrophy (MD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), migraine, hypo-thyroidism, hypertension, Beçhets, Arnold-Chiari deformity, and mitochondrial disorders, although your neurologist can usually rule them out quite easily.
You may have to adapt your daily life if you're diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), but with the right care and support many people can lead long, active and healthy lives.
There is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis, but various treatments can help manage symptoms, reduce the frequency of relapses, and slow disease progression.
“Recent research has suggested that the gut microbiota may be involved in the development of neurological diseases, including MS,” Dr. Ntranos said.
Summary. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that can affect the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Common symptoms include fatigue, bladder and bowel problems, sexual problems, pain, cognitive and mood changes such as depression, muscular changes and visual changes.