By Evan Bollinger
A chronic and progressive neurological condition that affects millions across the world, multiple sclerosis (MS) can be a complete life-changer. Given how the disease attacks the central nervous system, particularly the brain and spine, it often causes severe and lifelong challenges.
But here’s something you probably didn’t know.
While for the longest time, MS was thought to affect Black folks the least, the truth is that it actually impacts Black people more than ever realized.
In fact, new research indicates that MS affects Black individuals in frequently more aggressive forms, causing symptoms and presentations that are unique to this population.
This is why understanding the signs of this potentially debilitating disease is so critical.
Let’s dissect seven symptoms that Black people from all walks of life should recognize, and what they can do to address them.
1. Itching (Pruritus)
Pruritus is just the medical term for itching, which can manifest in many forms. It is usually one of the first symptoms to indicate that there might be a problem, and it can be one of the more difficult signs to decipher.
After all, who would think that mere itching could lead to MS?
But turns out, this is more than just itching, this is a misfiring of the nerve, that can also create feelings of burning and tingling even in the absence of common problems such as rashes and dryness.
Again, when it comes to MS and pruritus, this is not a dermatological or allergic condition.
So be cautious and observant. If the itching is persistent, unexplained, and coincides with burning and tingling, it could be a neurological condition stemming from the early stages of MS.
2. Speech Issues (Dysarthria)
Dysarthria, or speech difficulties, could signify the early onset of MS as well. This happens because lesions form on parts of the brain that regulate speech and vocal coordination.
When you’re suffering from this symptom, you’ll know it by trouble with slurred speech, trouble controlling your voice volume, and/or irregular speech patterns. Sometimes the changes are just subtle changes, but oftentimes they’re severe and life-disrupting.
Unfortunately, many Black folks with this condition are misrecognized. They are usually diagnosed with fatigue or stress, and given cultural and linguistic biases, many of these issues may not get diagnosed at all.
Fortunately, by catching it early, speech therapy and communication support structures can be put into place to help.
3. Swallowing Difficulties (Dysphagia)
Dysphagia is a disorder that affects the way you swallow, specifically, the muscles involved in everyday normal esophageal mechanisms. But with MS, it’s a bit different.
See, with MS, the reason you may struggle to swallow is due to a neurological condition that can also lead to choking, coughing, and the sensation that food is ‘stuck’ in your throat. Dysphagia may also predispose you to pneumonia, because food and liquids can actually enter your lungs, and not your stomach.
Which is not good!
So don’t play games. If you’re consistently struggling with swallowing, contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible. It may be more than mere dietary factors or some transient issue.
4. Hearing Loss
A less common symptom of MS, hearing loss can occur when lesions in the brainstem affect the way you process auditory information. This is usually noticeable by loss that affects one side, sudden onset of loss, or ringing in your ears.
However, because these signs may not always be so pronounced, it’s easy to confuse them with other reasons, such as environmental changes or simple aging. Among Black populations especially, these problems may go unrecognized due to a lack of audiology resources.
Fortunately, by having more proactive conversations with healthcare providers, many of these ambiguities can be cleared up. If your hearing troubles persist, do not delay in contacting a medical professional.
5. Respiratory Issues
In rare cases, MS may affect the muscles controlling normal breathing. This happens typically because lesions along your spine or brain stem are disturbing your nerves. When this happens, the symptoms are pretty easy to recognize. They include problems such as shortness of breath, trouble breathing deeply, and a loss of lung function.
Unfortunately, because these symptoms are common in many other conditions, they are often mistaken for issues relating to asthma and allergies. Black folks tend to have higher rates of asthma too, which may contribute to these misdiagnoses.
So be sure to take note. Do breathing problems coincide with other issues such as numbness, tingling, or similar neurological problems? If a doctor determines that your issues are related to MS, you can usually treat them with respiratory therapies. These involve exercises aimed at improving your breathing through stronger muscles and higher lung capacity.
6. Facial Pain (Trigeminal Neuralgia)
With its strange medical name, trigeminal neuralgia is nothing short of… shocking.
And you can take that literally. See, this type of facial pain is characterized by an intense feeling in the face that actually feels like an electric shock. It is also one of the more potentially disabling conditions of MS.
The reason for this condition comes down to what is called the trigeminal nerve, which controls sensations in your face. When a person suffers from this dysregulation, it usually manifests as a sharp pain on just one side of the face. Talking, chewing, or simply touching your face can all bring this on.
Because trigeminal neuralgia can easily be mistaken for dental issues, it’s important to get it checked out as soon as possible. While it’s easy to avoid seeing a doctor (especially if you fear expensive dental work), doing this will only delay the inevitable.
By seeking treatment as soon as possible, you maximize your odds of successful treatment. It will also alleviate anxiety, as you can learn if your problems are due to dental problems, neurological issues (i.e., MS), or something else.
7. Paroxysmal Symptoms
Paroxysmal refers to any symptom or issue that comes on suddenly like an ‘attack’ before settling down and returning to baseline. These are classic with MS and usually appear as spasms, twitching, and in some cases, changes in your vision. Many of these symptoms last only seconds or minutes before calming down.
The triggers for paroxysmal symptoms are various. Something as simple as a temperature change can trigger many, while other sufferers report symptoms when they move or undergo stress.
Because these symptoms are short-lasting and often ‘come outta nowhere,’ it’s easy to write them off as just some freak thing. However, if the symptoms recur over time, and especially if they seem to be getting worse, you need to seek medical attention.
It’s easy to attribute these issues to just muscle fatigue and stress alone, but they should never be ignored. Because paroxysmal attacks are a significant indicator of possible MS, getting them checked out as soon as possible is a must.
And that’s one of the main takeaways of this article.
Never assume a condition is one thing without seeking a professional opinion first. While there’s no need to worry yourself over every possible health problem, getting ahead of a potential medical condition is always smart.
Track your symptoms, consider your risk factors, and seek healthcare guidance to rule out other possible maladies. Remember, early diagnosis and targeted treatment are the key to many diseases.
With a concentrated and comprehensive approach to your health, you’ll get to the bottom of it in no time!
