Multiple system atrophy (MSA) affects many parts of your body. Symptoms usually start in adulthood, usually in the 50s or 60s. There are two types of MSA: parkinsonian and cerebellar. The type depends on the symptoms you have when you're diagnosed. MSA Parkinsonian type This is the most common type of MSA. The signs and symptoms are similar to those of Parkinson's disease, such as: MSA  Stiff muscles Difficulty bending your arms and legs Slow movement (bradykinesia) Tremors can occur at rest or when moving your arms or legs Soft voice Problems with posture and balance  Cerebellar type The main signs and symptoms are problems with muscle coordination (ataxia), but others may include:  Impaired movement and coordination, such as unsteady gait and loss of balance Slurred, slow or low-volume speech (dysarthria) Visual disturbances, such as blurred or double vision and difficulty focusing your eyes Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or chewing Changes in speech, such as slurred speech   General signs and symptoms In addition, the primary sign of multiple system atrophy is autonomic failure, which may cause problems with body functions you can't control. This may include: Postural (orthostatic) hypotension Postural hypotension is a form of low blood pressure that makes you feel dizzy or lightheaded, or even faint, when you stand up from sitting or lying down. Not everyone with MSA has postural hypotension. MSA You can also develop dangerously high blood pressure levels while lying down (supine hypertension). Urinary and bowel dysfunction  Constipation Loss of bladder or bowel control (incontinence)  Changes in sweat production  Producing less sweat Heat intolerance due to reduced sweating Impaired body temperature control, often causing cold hands or feet  Sleep disorders  Agitated sleep due to "acting out" dreams Abnormal breathing at night or a harsh breathing sound (stridor)  Sexual dysfunction  Inability to achieve or maintain an erection (impotence) Loss of libido  Cardiovascular problems  Color changes in hands and feet caused by pooling of blood  Psychiatric problems  Difficulty controlling emotions, such as laughing or crying inappropriately 
multiple system atrophy (msa) affects parts body  symptoms start adulthood  50s 60s  types msa: parkinsonian cerebellar  type depends symptoms you're diagnosed  msa parkinsonian type common type msa  signs symptoms similar parkinson's disease  as: msa  stiff muscles difficulty bending arms legs slow movement (bradykinesia) tremors can occur rest moving arms legs soft voice problems posture balance  cerebellar type signs symptoms problems muscle coordination (ataxia)  may include:  impaired movement coordination  unsteady gait loss balance slurred  slow low-volume speech (dysarthria) visual disturbances  blurred double vision difficulty focusing eyes difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) chewing changes speech  slurred speech   general signs symptoms addition  primary sign multiple system atrophy autonomic failure  may cause problems body functions can't control  may include: postural (orthostatic) hypotension postural hypotension form low blood pressure makes feel dizzy lightheaded  faint  stand sitting lying down  msa postural hypotension  msa can develop dangerously high blood pressure levels lying down (supine hypertension)  urinary bowel dysfunction  constipation loss bladder bowel control (incontinence)  changes sweat production  producing sweat heat intolerance due reduced sweating impaired body temperature control  causing cold hands feet  sleep disorders  agitated sleep due "acting out" dreams abnormal breathing night harsh breathing sound (stridor)  sexual dysfunction  inability achieve maintain erection (impotence) loss libido  cardiovascular problems  color changes hands feet caused pooling blood  psychiatric problems  difficulty controlling emotions  laughing crying inappropriately 
multiple system atrophy