In recent years, awareness surrounding the auto-immune condition MS (Multiple Sclerosis) has sky-rocketed, much to the relief of those that suffer from it.
Only recently, however, have many observers discovered the existence of a rather controversial symptom of the condition, known for potentially getting the sufferer into the trouble through no fault of their own.
What is MS?
According to the NHS, MS is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including numbness or a tingling feeling in different parts of the body, feeling off balance, and vision problems.
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It can be hard to pinpoint where the surge in knowledge, acceptance and accommodation to the causes and symptoms of has come from.
Whether it be the increase in celebrities lifting the lid on their own experience with the life-altering illness - most recently, US actress Christina Applegate - or the amount of TikTok health 'experts' using their platform to discuss the heartbreaking side effects, more and more people are talking about MS.
What many involved in the discussion may not realise, however, is that the lifelong condition - which can be brought on suddenly at any age - can also prompt one pretty bizarre side affect.
Laughing uncontrollably due to MS
Without poking fun at the often-devastating condition, one of the most unheard-of side effects of MS often sees the patient bursting into fits of laughing, despite not having found anything particularly amusing.
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In fact, the bizarre sensation can emerge so abruptly and to such an extent that they're unable to control themselves.
Known professionally as the pseudobulbar affect, some circumstances could also see patients bursting into crying, alternatively.
As such, this symptom can understandably be awkward for some MS sufferers, who could be branded inappropriate for releasing laughter that is beyond their control.
But why does MS cause uncontrollable laughter?
According to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, the patient's laughter in these cases is caused by MS lesions affecting the areas of the brain which control emotions.
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"This type of emotional behaviour is difficult to control voluntarily and can be extremely distressing to those who experience it," experts at the charity explain.
"Although there may be a minor trigger for the laughing or crying, the response is exaggerated and is disproportionate to the apparent trigger."
The healthcare professionals add, however, that sadly, the symptom can be managed but not eradicated.
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"PBA is equally common among men and women and occurs in other chronic, neurological conditions such as traumatic brain injuries and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)," they continue.
"This type of emotional behaviour is difficult to control voluntarily. It can be extremely distressing as well as embarrassing to those who experience it.
"With more education, people with MS will know to consult their neurologist if they experience any of its symptoms."
Other symptoms of MS
UK-based charity Multiple Sclerosis Trust have spent recent years raising awareness of five common early signs of the condition - emphasising that these can vary person-to-person, and the list is not exhaustive.
- Fatigue - differing from regular tiredness, the trust describes this fatigue as ‘a complete mental and physical exhaustion that’s completely out of sync with what’s going on in your life’.
- Slowed thinking - it is believed that about half of those with MS are impacted by this, with many people often struggling to stay focused or making plans and decisions.
- Stumbling - walking difficulties are common in MS cases, and balance and coordination may be affected.
- Strange skin sensations - many sufferers of this symptom have compared it to the feeling of crawling insects, though it may also feel like numbness, a painful ‘electric shock’ sensation, pins and needles, buzzing or burning.
- Issues with vision - eyesight problems - such as optic neuritis, a condition that can cause pain and vision loss - is common with MS.
Rhianna Benson