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Dr. Randall (Randy) T. Schapiro grew up in Minnesota and received degrees there as well as in California. He founded the first private-practice comprehensive MS Center in 1977, renamed “The Schapiro Center for Multiple Sclerosis” at the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology in 2004. Dr. Schapiro has participated in numerous research studies, helped to develop two MS organizations, served on numerous boards and advisory committees, and lectured and written extensively on all topics associated with MS management, both nationally and internationally. His awards include the Can Do Award, the prestigious Starfish Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award by the CMSC, and has been elected to the NMSS Hall of Fame.
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What are the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS)?
The symptoms of MS vary greatly, as does their severity, depending on the areas of the central nervous system that are affected. Most people suffer minor effects. The disease can, however, completely disable a person, preventing him or her from speaking and walking in the most extreme cases. The bodily functions that are commonly affected by MS are: vision, coordination, strength, sensation, speech and swallowing, bladder and bowel control, sexuality and cognitive function (thinking, concentration and short-term memory).
A varying degree of dysfunction may occur within these areas. For instance, one person may suffer blurred vision while another may suffer double vision. Or one person may suffer from tremors while another will experience clumsiness of a particular limb.
Specific symptoms associated with MS can include:
Though these are some of the symptoms commonly associated with MS, not all people with MS will experience all of them. Each case is unique. Most people with MS begin experiencing symptoms between the ages of 20 and 50, and most will experience more than one symptom. But initial symptoms may be vague, may come and go with no pattern or may be attributed to other factors or conditions.