MS can affect almost any neurological function, but the commonest symptoms are fatigue, numbness and tingling, weakness, vision problems in one eye, unsteadiness, bladder urgency and cognitive slowing. Fatigue is reported as the most disabling. Cognitive change affects processing speed and attention rather than memory, and is frequently never mentioned because people assume it is unrelated.
MS can affect almost any neurological function, but the commonest symptoms are fatigue, numbness and tingling, weakness, vision problems in one eye, unsteadiness, bladder urgency and cognitive slowing. Fatigue is reported as the most disabling. Cognitive change affects processing speed and attention rather than memory, and is frequently never mentioned because people assume it is unrelated.
Fatigue is the most frequently reported and the most disabling, and it is a distinct symptom rather than ordinary tiredness: it does not resolve with rest in the same way and is worsened by heat. Sensory symptoms are extremely common, including numbness, tingling and sometimes a band-like tightness around the torso. Weakness, unsteadiness and difficulty walking any distance follow. Bladder urgency and frequency affect a large proportion of people and are considerably under-reported.
Cognitive change in MS typically affects processing speed and attention rather than memory, and many people never mention it because they assume it is unrelated or fear what it implies. Neuropathic pain, spasticity and stiffness, tremor, sexual dysfunction and mood problems are all common and all treatable. Depression occurs more often in MS than in the general population and is not simply a reaction to the diagnosis. Each of these has its own treatment.
New or worsening symptoms lasting more than a day and not settling should be reported, since that pattern suggests a relapse rather than a temporary fluctuation. Heat, infection, fatigue and stress all temporarily worsen existing symptoms without new inflammation, and in this climate heat is a particularly common cause. Urinary infection worsens MS symptoms generally and is worth excluding when things deteriorate without obvious reason.
Clinical Neurology Specialists has been physician-owned since 1998, when Leo Germin, M.D., FAANEM founded it. Five board-certified neurologists and four advanced practice providers see patients at the Las Vegas and Henderson offices, each with its own AANEM-accredited electrodiagnostic laboratory.
Clinical Neurology Specialists is an adult outpatient neurology practice for patients 18 and older. The practice performs no surgery and operates no imaging suite, infusion suite or interventional pain programme, and provides no emergency or inpatient care.
Physician-reviewed. Reviewed by the physicians of Clinical Neurology Specialists — board-certified neurologists, AANEM-accredited electrodiagnostic laboratories, physician-owned since 1998. Reviewed 1 August 2026. This article is general education for adults 18 and older and is not a substitute for a consultation.
Sources and further reading: MedlinePlus: multiple sclerosis; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; American Academy of Neurology.
Adults 18 and older, at the Las Vegas and Henderson offices. Call 702-804-1212 or request an appointment online.