Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsIdentifying Flare-UpsHow Long They LastTriggersTreatments and Self-CareWhen to Go to the HospitalFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Identifying Flare-Ups
How Long They Last
Triggers
Treatments and Self-Care
When to Go to the Hospital
Frequently Asked Questions
This article provides information about MS attacks and how to treat them.
Verywell / Katie Kerpel
MS Attack Symptoms
Though approximately 85% of people with MS experience attacks, no two people will experience them in the exact same way.Symptoms can vary each time you have an attack. Sometimes you may have a mild attack, and at other times symptoms may be so severe that they interfere with your quality of life. You may experience only one symptom or several, depending on which areas of the central nervous system are involved.
Symptoms of MS attacks include:
The Ebb and Flow of SymptomsSymptoms during an MS attack may gradually worsen over time, and then decrease and level off. Over time, the symptoms will subside, and you’ll start to recover. In some cases, symptoms go away completely. In other cases, they may not fully disappear but will be less intense than they were during the flare.
The Ebb and Flow of Symptoms
Symptoms during an MS attack may gradually worsen over time, and then decrease and level off. Over time, the symptoms will subside, and you’ll start to recover. In some cases, symptoms go away completely. In other cases, they may not fully disappear but will be less intense than they were during the flare.
There are a few things to consider in order to identify the onset of symptoms to be an MS attack, including:
If you’re not sure if you’re experiencing an MS attack, wait a day or two before speaking to your doctor to see if your symptoms improve. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may want to see you in person to ensure you don’t have an infection and may make adjustments to your treatment plan.
What Is MS Pseudo-Exacerbation?
To qualify as an MS attack, symptoms must last for at least 24 hours. The duration of an attack varies, depending on how severely inflammation has impacted the central nervous system. MS attacks can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks or months.
MS attacks tend to occur most often in the first few years after being diagnosed. However, they can occur at any time throughout the course of the disease.
MS Attack Triggers
Researchers continue to explore exactly what triggers an MS attack. These factors appear to have a connection to the increased risk of an attack:
What Helps During MS Relapse
Self-Care
7 Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Groups
Treatments
Not all MS attacks need to be treated. If new symptoms show up or existing symptoms worsen that don’t impact your quality of life, you may notice they clear up on their own in time. Some attacks can cause more severe symptoms that require treatment, such as loss of vision, severe weakness, or problems with mobility, your doctor may recommend treatment.
Treatments for MSattacks include:
In addition to medications, your doctor may recommend rehabilitation to help you regain strength and mobility and address any issues you may have with personal care and performance at work and home. You may see physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and/or cognitive remediation specialists.
If you are experiencing new symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider. They may want to see you in person to address your symptoms and modify your treatment plan.
If you have severe symptoms, you may need to go to the hospital. Go to the hospital during an MS attack if you:
Summary
MS attacks, often called an MS relapse, flare-up, or exacerbation, are common in the first few years after an MS diagnosis. MS attack symptoms vary widely and include balance problems, vision problems,numbness and tingling,and trouble concentrating. If symptoms are severe, medications such as corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms.
A Word From Verywell
Going through an MS attack can be a challenging time. Knowing your triggers (such as stress and low vitamin D levels) can help you practice good self-care to reduce the likelihood of new attacks. You may question whether you’re actually having a flare-up or if something else is causing this new onset of symptoms. When in doubt, contact your healthcare provider.
While there is no cure for MS, many people with the condition are able to live comfortable and fulfilling lives with support and the right treatments.
MS attack symptoms vary, including problems with balance and coordination, vision problems, trouble concentrating, fatigue, weakness, or numbness and tingling in your limbs.
The MS hug is a feeling of tightness or pressure around the stomach and chest. It may be felt all across the chest or just on one side. You may notice certain things, such as fatigue, stress, ortemperature changestrigger the MS hug. While it isn’t always a sign of a relapse, it can be a symptom experienced during an attack.Learn MoreThe Multiple Sclerosis “Hug”
The MS hug is a feeling of tightness or pressure around the stomach and chest. It may be felt all across the chest or just on one side. You may notice certain things, such as fatigue, stress, ortemperature changestrigger the MS hug. While it isn’t always a sign of a relapse, it can be a symptom experienced during an attack.
Learn MoreThe Multiple Sclerosis “Hug”
Learn MoreTypes of Multiple Sclerosis
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Managing relapses.U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Multiple sclerosis relapses: what they are and what to do.Wang C, Ruiz A, Mao-Draayer Y.Assessment and treatment strategies for a multiple sclerosis relapse.J Immunol Clin Res. 2018;5(1):1032.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Managing relapses.Kamel FO.Factors involved in relapse of multiple sclerosis.J Microsc Ultrastruct. 2019;7(3):103-108. doi:10.4103/JMAU.JMAU_59_18Kalincik T.Multiple sclerosis relapses: Epidemiology, outcomes and management. A systematic review.Neuroepidemiology. 2015;44(4):199-214. doi:10.1159/000382130National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Managing relapses.Abboud H, Mente K, Seay M, et al.Triaging patients with multiple sclerosis in the emergency department: room for improvement.Int J MS Care. 2017;19(6):290-296. doi:10.7224/1537-2073.2016-069
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Managing relapses.U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Multiple sclerosis relapses: what they are and what to do.Wang C, Ruiz A, Mao-Draayer Y.Assessment and treatment strategies for a multiple sclerosis relapse.J Immunol Clin Res. 2018;5(1):1032.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Managing relapses.Kamel FO.Factors involved in relapse of multiple sclerosis.J Microsc Ultrastruct. 2019;7(3):103-108. doi:10.4103/JMAU.JMAU_59_18Kalincik T.Multiple sclerosis relapses: Epidemiology, outcomes and management. A systematic review.Neuroepidemiology. 2015;44(4):199-214. doi:10.1159/000382130National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Managing relapses.Abboud H, Mente K, Seay M, et al.Triaging patients with multiple sclerosis in the emergency department: room for improvement.Int J MS Care. 2017;19(6):290-296. doi:10.7224/1537-2073.2016-069
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Managing relapses.U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Multiple sclerosis relapses: what they are and what to do.Wang C, Ruiz A, Mao-Draayer Y.Assessment and treatment strategies for a multiple sclerosis relapse.J Immunol Clin Res. 2018;5(1):1032.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Managing relapses.Kamel FO.Factors involved in relapse of multiple sclerosis.J Microsc Ultrastruct. 2019;7(3):103-108. doi:10.4103/JMAU.JMAU_59_18Kalincik T.Multiple sclerosis relapses: Epidemiology, outcomes and management. A systematic review.Neuroepidemiology. 2015;44(4):199-214. doi:10.1159/000382130National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Managing relapses.Abboud H, Mente K, Seay M, et al.Triaging patients with multiple sclerosis in the emergency department: room for improvement.Int J MS Care. 2017;19(6):290-296. doi:10.7224/1537-2073.2016-069
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Managing relapses.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Multiple sclerosis relapses: what they are and what to do.
Wang C, Ruiz A, Mao-Draayer Y.Assessment and treatment strategies for a multiple sclerosis relapse.J Immunol Clin Res. 2018;5(1):1032.
Kamel FO.Factors involved in relapse of multiple sclerosis.J Microsc Ultrastruct. 2019;7(3):103-108. doi:10.4103/JMAU.JMAU_59_18
Kalincik T.Multiple sclerosis relapses: Epidemiology, outcomes and management. A systematic review.Neuroepidemiology. 2015;44(4):199-214. doi:10.1159/000382130
Abboud H, Mente K, Seay M, et al.Triaging patients with multiple sclerosis in the emergency department: room for improvement.Int J MS Care. 2017;19(6):290-296. doi:10.7224/1537-2073.2016-069
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