problematic evidence, including a 1950s study of veterans that found white men more likely than Black men to receive services through the Veterans Administration for MS,” Langer-Gould shares. “That study did not consider the barriers and disparities Black men faced in receiving services, and that they were less likely to be measured accurately.”
She says understanding MS rates in all groups is an important step toward making sure people are properly screened and treated for this disease.
“More studies are needed to determine whether MS is also an emerging disease among Hispanic people in the U.S. and whether MS susceptibility and prevalence vary among Hispanic or Asian individuals from different cultures and ancestral backgrounds,” Langer-Gould adds. “Larger studies are also needed that look at bigger populations across the U.S.”
RELATED: 10 Early Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
When to see a doctor
Black people with MS may experience more aggressive disease progression, greater disability and different symptoms, including more walking, balance, and coordination problems, more cognitive and visual symptoms, more frequent relapses with poorer recovery, and earlier disability onset, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Vision problems — such as optic neuritis (blurriness and pain in one eye) — are often one of the first signs of multiple sclerosis. Other common symptoms include:
- Changes in gait.
- Fatigue.
- Loss of balance or coordination.
- Muscle spasms.
- Muscle weakness.
- Tingling or numbness, especially in your legs or arms.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor. If your primary care provider believes you have MS, they will refer you to a neurologist, who specializes in treating conditions that affect the nervous system, which includes your brain and spinal cord.