Yes, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) commonly affects memory and thinking, a condition known as cognitive dysfunction, often described as "brain fog," impacting concentration, processing speed, and recall, though usually mildly for about half of those with MS, with problems stemming from nerve damage disrupting brain signals.
Dr. Michael Sy, a neurologist at UCI Health, tells Health Central that many facets of MS can indirectly interfere with memory. “MS can affect sleep, fatigue, pain and mood. All of these symptoms can individually reduce short-term memory and can also interact with each other to make memory problems worse.”
Some of the most common symptoms include:
A small number of people with MS have only mild disease and do well without treatment. But many get worse over time. Medicines can reduce the severity of attacks of relapsing-remitting MS and how often you have them. They may also reduce or delay disability.
Treatments for MS symptoms
The exact cause of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is unknown, but it's triggered by a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental factors (like low Vitamin D, infections, smoking, and stress), and immune system dysfunction that leads the body to attack its own nervous system. Triggers that can worsen existing MS include heat, infections, stress, lack of sleep, and childbirth, while factors like smoking, obesity, and low sun exposure increase risk or severity.
Medications for multiple sclerosis can reduce relapses (periods when symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop) and the development of new lesions/scars, and slow the disease's progression. Common types of medications for MS include: Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).
For those with MS, avoiding too much exercise is a big concern. Too much activity can cause fatigue and worsen symptoms. It's important to listen to your body and know when you've done too much. Pacing activities and taking breaks helps manage energy.
For many, fatigue is considered to be the single most debilitating symptom, surpassing pain and even physical disability. Fatigue also imposes significant socioeconomic consequences, including loss of work hours and in some instances, loss of employment.
However, triggers that may provoke or worsen a multiple sclerosis attack include:
Some people with MS lose sensation in their tongue. Some health care providers refer to MS-related tongue issues as “MS tongue.” Loss of sensation or numbness can make it difficult to move your tongue when you speak, chew, or swallow. Tongue numbness may also diminish sense of taste.
Vision problems
The most common problems with vision in MS are optic neuritis and eye movement problems. Optic neuritis is often an early symptom of multiple sclerosis, although you might have problems with your eyes at any time.
These “invisible” symptoms can include fatigue, pain, cognitive challenges, mood changes, numbness or tingling, heat sensitivity, vision changes, balance and coordination problems, and bladder and bowel control issues.
The most common causes include: Alcohol-related “blackouts.” Aneurysms or brain bleeds. Brain surgery or similar procedures (especially surgeries to remove or scar part of your brain to prevent severe seizures that aren't treatable with medication).
Tips and exercises for memory and thinking
Head pressure is a symptom of MS that can't be seen by others and that feels different for everyone. Some may feel a light, tight feeling, while others might have intense pain that's hard to handle.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disorder that affects the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system).
Primary fatigue is caused by MS damage in the brain and spinal cord. And lots of processes might be involved. One idea from researchers is that passing messages around nerve damage takes extra energy. Secondary fatigue is caused by living with MS symptoms like pain, or disturbed sleep.
MS is not considered a terminal illness and it's very rare for someone to die directly because of MS. But MS is a lifelong condition and if someone is severely affected, the risk of dying from a complication related to MS (like an infection) is greater.
Supplements that boost your immune response — for instance, selenium, copper, and manganese — may worsen autoimmune attacks in MS. Large doses of vitamin E and vitamin C can thin your blood, which may lead to MS complications. Single supplements can contain high doses, making them potentially more dangerous.
Three key warning signs of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) often involve vision problems (like blurred vision or pain with eye movement), numbness or tingling sensations, and fatigue, along with balance issues, weakness, and coordination difficulties, though symptoms vary widely and can include cognitive or bladder problems too.
Flare-ups can't always be prevented. But treatment may reduce their likelihood. Staying on the right disease-modifying therapy (DMT) is one of the most effective ways to control MS. DMTs are medications that can reduce the number of relapses a person has and slow the progression of their disease.
New therapies are emerging
Ublituximab-xiiy (Briumvi) was approved by the FDA in 2022. It is used to treat relapsing-remitting and active secondary-progressive forms of MS. Ublituximab-xiiy is given in a vein and stops certain immune system cells from making antibodies that may damage the brain and spinal cord in MS.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) isn't caused by one single thing but by a mix of genetic predispositions, environmental triggers like low vitamin D, sunlight, smoking, obesity, and certain infections (like Epstein-Barr virus), leading the immune system to mistakenly attack the protective myelin sheath around nerves, disrupting brain-to-body signals.
Some studies have shown that exercise or physical activity might even slow MS progression, though evidence is inconsistent. Exercise could potentially modify MS disease activity via multiple mechanisms, including modulating immune factors and stress hormones, and mediating the expression of neuronal growth factors.