MS week 29/04/2013

MS awareness weekThe week beginning the 29th April is MS week. MS stands for Multiple Sclerosis and it is the intention of the ‘MS Society‘ to really get the public interested and educated about Multiple Sclerosis.

Raising awareness of such conditions makes the symptoms easier to understand if you know someone who suffers from the condition. It may also help those who are presenting with the effects of MS to better understand the new research that is going on and to help you cope better with the physical and mental impact of the disease.

Multiple Sclerosis is a neurological condition that affects the central nervous system in the body. Approximately 100,000 people in the UK suffer from the condition which attacks the nerve fibers within the nervous system.

It is normally diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40 and affects more women than men, approximately 3 times more. Not much is know about the actual cause of the disease but, unfortunately, once diagnosed, it stays with the individual for life. The process of treatment is more of a management rather than a cure, as of yet, there is no cure available, but some sufferers may have times of remission, where the MS is more manageable.

Research is very important and it is developing fast, which is why it is essential to keep the general public informed of progresses and of events within the UK that support the great on going study into the condition. You can find out more events and how you can help the cause, over at http://www.mssociety.org.uk/get-involved.

You should always consult your GP if your are feeling unwell or think that you may be presenting with any of the symptoms associated with MS, but it also important to understand that some symptoms may relate to other conditions, so always seek professional help and advice.

 

Vision

You may have momentary loss or blurring within your vision. Sometimes people report a doubling of vision or a mis-coordination of the eyes. The vision can often get worse through times of stress, so emotional support is very helpful.

Gut

Incontinence or constipation. Although, constipation is much more common in MS than incontinence. Because of the nervous system within the gut is linked to the rest of the nervous system, the damage to the nerve fibres can confuse the normal functioning of the bowel. Again, it is important to get this checked out as it may point to other conditions such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).

Throat

A lot of sufferers of MS report problems in swallowing caused by the damage to the nerve cells and the communication between the brain and the movement of the nerves and muscles of the throat.

Speech

Approximately 40% to 50% of MS sufferers report problems in their speech, but the alterations in speech for most will be mild.

Trembling 

people with MS will often suffer from tremors which are involuntary shakes which may be small in effect or much larger at times. These symptoms usually develop many years after the individuals’ first diagnosis of MS. On average between 5 and fifteen years.

The types of tremor felt are spit into two. Intention tremor which comes about when you intentionally reach out for something and, Postural Tremor which is the shaking you encounter when trying to stand or stay stood up or when sitting down

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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