10 Tell-Tale Symptoms of Multiple System Atrophy

5. Postural Hypotension

Postural hypotension, otherwise known as orthostatic hypotension, is a type of low blood pressure that occurs when individuals stand up from a sitting or lying position. This condition often makes patients feel lightheaded and dizzy, and in serious cases can even lead to fainting. Patients may also experience blurry vision and overall weakness. They may feel nauseous and exhibit confusion. If an individual's systolic blood pressure falls by twenty mmHg or more, or their diastolic blood pressure falls by ten mmHg or more upon standing, they are considered to have postural hypotension. Isolated episodes can occur when an individual is dehydrated or fatigued. These aren't related to an overarching condition. However, chronic episodes may be a sign an individual has multiple system atrophy or another underlying condition.

6. REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD): Acting Out Dreams

An unnerving and often very early "tell-tale" sign is REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD). Normally, your body is paralyzed during the REM (dreaming) stage of sleep. With RBD, this paralysis is lost, causing individuals to physically act out vivid, often intense or violent, dreams—shouting, punching, kicking, or even falling out of bed. While it can occur in other neurological conditions, RBD frequently precedes the more obvious motor and autonomic symptoms of MSA by several years, signaling that crucial brain regions controlling sleep and movement are already being affected.