Progressive neurological conditions
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. It cannot currently be cured, but treatment can often help manage it.
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS)
There are lots of possible symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Everyone with the condition is affected differently.
Some of the most common symptoms include:
- feeling extremely tired (fatigue)
- problems with your eyes or your vision, such as blurred vision or eye pain
- numbness or a tingling feeling in different parts of the body
- feeling off balance, dizzy or clumsy (uncoordinated)
- muscle cramps, spasms and stiffness
- needing to pee more often or not being able to control when you pee
- problems with memory or concentration
- sexual problems, including a dry vagina or erection problems
Symptoms may come (called “flare-ups” or “relapses”) and go (called “remissions”), and may get worse over time.
For further information, please visit the resources below:
About MS
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition – that means it affects your nerves. You get it when your immune system isn’t working properly.
Your immune system normally protects you by fighting off infection, but in MS it attacks your nerves by mistake. Your nerves control lots of different parts of your body. That’s why you can get MS symptoms in many parts of your body. It’s also why everyone’s MS is different.
Once diagnosed, MS stays with you for life, but treatments and specialists can help you to manage the condition and its symptoms.
Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect movement and co-ordination. It’s caused by a problem with the brain that develops before, during or soon after birth.
Symptoms of cerebral palsy
The symptoms of cerebral palsy are not usually obvious just after a baby is born. They normally become noticeable from an early age.
Symptoms can include:
- delays in reaching development milestones – for example, not sitting by 8 months or not walking by 18 months
- seeming too stiff or too floppy
- weak arms or legs
- fidgety, jerky or clumsy movements
- random, uncontrolled movements
- walking on tiptoes
- a range of other problems – such as swallowing problems, speaking problems, vision problems and learning disabilities
The severity of symptoms can vary significantly. Some people only have minor problems, while others may be severely disabled.
For further information, please visit the resources below:
Cerebral palsy – NHS
Cerebral palsy (CP) | Disability charity Scope UK
Cerebral Palsy