Demyelination symptoms vary depending on the cause and can affect vision, movement, and cognitive abilities. Swelling of the optic nerve can cause sudden vision loss, while spinal cord demyelination can lead to loss of coordination or motor control. Brain demyelination can cause muscle problems, difficulty speaking or swallowing, and cognitive issues. Depression is a common symptom.
Symptoms of demyelination vary depending on the cause. People with diseases that cause myelin to deteriorate over time may have mild symptoms initially that get worse as the disease progresses. Those with demyelination caused by temporary injury or illness may suffer acute symptoms that improve as the body heals. Demyelination can cause problems with vision, movement, and cognitive abilities that can vary considerably from patient to patient.
One possible cause of demyelination is swelling of the optic nerve, called optic neuritis. For patients with this condition, symptoms of demyelination can include sudden vision loss usually affecting only one of the eyes. In less severe cases, patients with a swollen optic nerve may have reduced ability to see color or difficulty focusing. Moving the affected eye can also cause significant pain.
A variety of demyelinating diseases can also affect the spinal cord. Symptoms of demyelination can occur over the course of a couple of days or weeks and can cause serious, irreversible problems. At first, patients may experience strange sensations, such as burning, tingling, or numbness. There may also be a sensitivity to touch, heat or cold, and pain in the back or pain radiating to the limbs. The part of the body affected by these sensations depends on the part of the spinal cord that has undergone demyelination.
As spinal cord demyelinating diseases progress, patients may experience a loss of coordination or motor control. Sometimes partial or complete paralysis can occur, which can be permanent. Other symptoms of spinal demyelination can include a loss of bowel or bladder control.
Patients with demyelination in the brain, including multiple sclerosis (MS), can experience a different set of symptoms. Muscle problems, such as loss of coordination or balance are common, as are uncontrolled movements of the limbs and facial muscles. It may become difficult for patients with these conditions to speak clearly or to swallow if the demyelination affects the part of the brain responsible for speech centers or the muscles in the mouth. The optic nerve may also be affected by these conditions, resulting in the same demyelination symptoms that affect only this nerve.
Cognitive problems can also be symptoms of demyelination. Patients may have difficulty remembering, thinking clearly, or solving problems. They may have ear problems, including hearing loss and vertigo. Depression is another common symptom of myelin loss.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
