Sensitive disorders and abnormalities such as tingling, numbness or pain are among the earliest and most widespread symptoms of multiple sclerosis. More than eight out of ten patients are affected in the first years of the disease and even later in the course of the disease, the sensory system remains the most frequently affected system. This article explains what sensory disorders are and discusses causes and therapeutic approaches.

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What are sensory disorders?

Sensibility disorders, also known as emotional disorders or abnormalities, are disorders in our sensory system. It feels like there is something in or on our skin that isn't actually there. The trigger therefore does not come from outside but purely from a disturbance in our sensory nervous system. There may also be sensitivity disorders in which external stimuli are perceived as stronger or lower than normal.

These abnormalities can occur all over the body and take on various manifestations:

• tingling
• numbness
• itch
• firings
• electric shock, for example the middle sign (an electrifying feeling that is triggered when you bend your neck and runs from the neck through the trunk and possibly into the legs)
• Temperature oversensitivity and undersensitivity
• soreness
• MS hug (feeling of pressure or tightness around the upper body)

More annoying abnormalities such as tingling and numbness are categorized as paresthesias. On the other hand, more intense or even painful abnormalities are called dysesthesias. It is important that this is neuropathic pain, i.e. it comes from problems in the nervous system itself and not from pain receptors in the tissue. This pain is often burning or severely itchy. Pulsating, shooting, and muscular pain is more (but not necessarily) indicative of actual tissue damage. Therefore, describe to your doctor exactly what the sensation feels like.

Sensitivity disorders are generally not life-threatening. However, they can have a negative impact on the quality of life as they can be unpleasant and painful. However, restrictive sensory disorders such as numbness and heat insensitivity may restrict the protective reflexes of the affected skin region, which can result in injuries or burns.

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Frequency and course

Sensitivity disorders are among the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis. More than 80% of MS patients report sensory disorders, particularly in early stages of the disease or when there are episodes of sensory disorders. While a similar number of patients with and without degrees of disability suffer from abnormalities, patients with a more severe course often occur with a higher frequency and with several types of abnormalities at the same time.

New abnormalities can both be part of a new push and be triggered by current stress. In both cases, they occur spontaneously, but can also be the result of certain stimuli such as head movements or touch.

How long they last depends on many factors and is difficult to predict. Particularly in the case of paresthesias, the duration can range from a few minutes to, in rare cases, several years. However, they usually subside after a push. Fortunately, dysesthesias, i.e. more intense sensations, only last for seconds to a few minutes.

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cause of sensory disorders

The cause of sensory disorders and abnormalities is due to disorders in the sensory system. The sensory system, called the sensory nervous system in a medical context, is the nervous system that senses and processes external stimuli. If these nerve tracts are attacked as a result of an MS disease, the transmission of the stimuli through the nerve tract is disrupted. The signal no longer arrives correctly in the brain and we “feel” a falsified version of the actual perception. There does not even have to be any external stimulus for this. A misfire in a single sensory nerve path is enough to report to our brain a sensation that isn't actually there at all.

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Therapeutic Approaches

Treatment approaches for multiple sclerosis are highly individual and adapted to the patient's particular symptoms. This is no different when it comes to sensory disorders. We have put together a brief overview of the various options for you below. Nevertheless, it is important to contact your doctor here too in order to explore and, if necessary, initiate the best treatment option.

Desensitization of the sense of touch

You can help the affected area of skin get going by yourself by stimulating your sense of touch. Try to bring the respective body part into contact with different textures. For example, touch or walk across different surfaces, ride a hedgehog ball or brush across the respective area, or immerse it in various heat and ice baths. Always be aware that the respective area may not be able to adequately perceive pain and only do what you have already ensured is harmless with an unaffected body part.

movement

Some studies have shown that physical exercise, such as yoga, water aerobics, and endurance sports, can alleviate paresthesias. Here, too, it is important to consider the current functioning of your body, especially if the arms or legs are affected.

Reduce stress

If the discomfort was caused by current stress, you can try to relax your body and mind. How you do that depends entirely on yourself. This can be a walk, but also meditation, yoga, breathing and relaxation exercises.

Avoid heat stress

Overheating of the body can also trigger stress, which causes or intensifies symptoms. In this case, the symptoms subside quickly when your body cools down to normal temperature again. You can also promote this by taking cooling measures such as washing your hands with cold water, a fan, or staying in a cool room. If you notice that stress or heat triggers your discomfort, try to reduce these influences in your everyday life by planning accordingly.

auxiliary

Depending on the location and type of sensory disorders, aids may also be used. These include

• Compression bandages, which in some cases can transform nerve pain into a feeling of pressure instead of pain.
• protective gloves (e.g. oven gloves) which can prevent burns when the hands are not sensitive to heat, e.g. when cooking
• Walking stick, which can make walking easier if you feel numbness in your legs

Physiotherapy and occupational therapy

Physiotherapy deals with your physical functionality and tries to stimulate the affected tissues again through targeted movements and massages. Occupational therapy, on the other hand, focuses holistically on you as a person, meaning that it also addresses your everyday life in addition to physical treatment. Both approaches can be prescribed by your doctor and should be guided by a trained specialist.

sustenance

Although a change in diet is usually not helpful to alleviate an acute malsensation, it can alleviate the course of MS in the long term and thus reduce the frequency of discomfort. In the article on nutrition in multiple sclerosis, we explain how diet can influence multiple sclerosis.

Acceptance and mindfulness exercises

Frequent and permanent discomfort and pain can make it difficult not to be pulled down and to withdraw from everyday life. On the other hand, unpleasant physical and mental feelings appear stronger the more we focus on them. It can therefore help to accept the condition and focus on positive aspects of your life. Gratitude exercises, the approaches from Acceptor and Commitment Therapy, and conscious time with loved ones or hobbies are a good way to avoid losing yourself in negativity.

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synopsis

Sensitivity disorders or abnormalities are unpleasant to painful sensations that are not related to actual physical stimuli. They often occur without external stimuli, as they are usually triggered by disease-related disorders in the sensory nervous system. They are among the most common side effects of multiple sclerosis. Even though they are usually harmless and disappear quickly, it is important to see a doctor to clarify the causes and, if necessary, initiate appropriate therapy. In addition, there are various ways to proactively deal with sensory disorders, including careful, supportive treatment of affected areas of the body, tools, mindfulness and relaxation. It is helpful to document symptoms in a structured way in order to understand triggers and influencing factors in order to consciously oppose them.

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