b"By providing thorough information your symptoms, your healthcare team can make educated decisions about cause and treatment. Building the relationship with your neurologist and other healthcare providers can also help to create a sense of empowerment within you. Often, patients visit their doctor and leave feeling that some symptoms have been neglected or misunderstood in terms of importance. Lets go through some of the neglected symptoms of MS and how you can identify and discuss them appropriately with your healthcare team. Advocating for the Neglected Symptoms The visible symptoms of MS, such as difficulty walking or muscle weakness can be seen by those in your daily life, but many people living with MS also experience less visible symptoms that equally affect their daily function. These include challenges with speech and swallowing, bladder health, and sexual dysfunction, which are often overlooked during medical appointments because they are not discussed as frequently. Addressing these symptoms is essential for improving quality of life and maintaining overall health, but it requires you to be active in your communication and advocate for yourself even if it is out of your comfort zone. Because if you cant talk about how you are feeling, who can?Speech and swallowing difficulties can be subtle but progressively debilitating. Slurred speech, difficulty articulating words, or changes in vocal tone (dysarthria) may arise because of muscle weakness or coordination issues. Swallowing problems (dysphagia) are less common but can lead to serious complications such as choking or aspiration pneumonia if left unaddressed. If you notice changes in your ability to communicate clearly or eat comfortably, it's vital to mention these to your neurologist. Speech therapy and swallowing evaluations can help identify the root causes and provide tailored interventions, such as exercises or dietary adjustments.To learn more about speech and swallowing symptoms, listen to a discussion with Marissa A. Barrera, Ph.D., MSCS, CCC-SLP on Swallowing Disorders and Advocating for Effective Treatment: msfocus.us/061021Bladder health is another area that is frequently under-discussed. Many MS patients experience urinary urgency, frequency, or incontinence, while others struggle with the inability to fully empty their bladder. These issues may cause embarrassment and lead to disruptions in daily life or even infections if untreated. Openly discussing bladder symptoms with your healthcare provider can lead to effective solutions, such as pelvic oor therapy, medications, or assistive devices.To learn more, listen to a discussion with Christine Hampton, MOT, OTR/L: Secret Bowel and Bladder Symptoms in MS: msfocus.us/92222Sexual dysfunction, which may disguise itself as decreased libido, arousal difficulties, or discomfort during intimacy, can signicantly affect relationships and self-esteem, influencing your emotional and social wellness. While it may be uncomfortable to discuss these concerns with your healthcare team, it is important to identify them so they may be addressed appropriately. These challenges are often tied to MS-related nerve damage or fatigue, but they also may be inuenced by 24"