Multiple Sclerosis is an often disabling condition that
affects more than 2.3 million people throughout the world. The disease affects
an individual across a broad range of dimensions including emotionally, physically
and spiritually.
MS is considered an autoimmune disease meaning that it
is a disease that attacks and wreaks havoc on your body without cause. It has an effect on the central
nervous system causing the brain to struggle to communicate with the body. As
the immune system attacks and destroys the myelin (protective lining) that
covers the nerves, the myelin is worn away and disrupts communication between
the brain and nerves, creating a variety of symptoms. Myelin that is damaged forms
scar tissue hence the naming ‘sclerosis’. The often unpredictable disease is
believed to be triggered in genetically susceptible individuals. There is no cure
as of yet!
Multiple Sclerosis types
MS warriors may have one of 4 types of the disease and
experience mild, moderate or severe symptoms.
Relapsing Remitting Multiple
Sclerosis
Relapsing remitting MS is the more
common of the types with 85% of multiple sclerosis warriors dealing with it. Those
that fight relapsing remitting MS
have flare ups or relapses (attacks) that result in a diverse range of
symptoms. These relapses may last for several days or months at a time before the
warrior experiences fading of the symptoms.
Progressing Relapsing Multiple
Sclerosis
Progressive relapsing multiple sclerosis is the rarest of
the types of the disease. Symptoms worsen over time, but with periods of flare
ups or attacks and recovery. MS warriors generally do not completely recovery
after an attack. Often disability is caused as a blend of the disease
progressing and only partial recovery after flare ups.
Primary Progressive
Primary progressive multiple sclerosis affects between
10 to 15 percent of MS warriors and is the more serious of all forms of the
disease. Symptoms develop and get worse from the time of onset of the disease and
do not decrease in intensity. Rather than appearing in sudden relapses and
fading in recovery periods, symptoms only gradually worse. As the disease gets
progressively worse it often leads to disability.
Secondary Progressive
Of
those that have been diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS, many go on to have secondary progressive multiple sclerosis,
some 10 to 15 years after being initially diagnosed. Often those affected by
this type of the disease experience a change in pattern, with periods of attacks
and recovery still occurring but recovery is often partial and symptoms during attacks
become worse and more intense over time.
Symptoms
No
two people have exactly the same symptoms, and each person’s symptoms can
change or alter over time. Symptoms fall into 3 groups; primary, secondary
and tertiary.
Primary
Depression,
Stress and anxiety,
Cognition changes,
Changes in appetite,
Weight loss and gain,
Insomnia,
Fatigue,
Weakness,
Numbness or tingling,
Vision problems,
Sensitivity
to heat,
Dizziness
or vertigo,
Muscle weakness,
Visual
disturbances,
Balance
problems,
Memory loss and,
Loss
of bowel or bladder control,
And more…
Secondary
Secondary symptoms are the complications that
are a result of primary symptoms.
Tertiary
Tertiary symptoms are the negative effects
that multiple sclerosis has on an individual, such as social and psychological
aspects among others.
How to cope with a MS diagnosis
-Learn as much as
possible about MS
-Understand that MS
symptoms are unpredictable
-Don’t delay
treatment
-Find support and
don’t give up hope
Living with MS
-Track your MS
symptoms
-Avoid MS triggers
-Exercise
-Follow a healthy
diet and nutrition plan
-Acupuncture
-Stress management
Manage relapses (attacks or flare-ups)
Relapses occur as a result of inflammation in the central nervous
system (CNS). It is suggested to contact a GP or other relevant specialist as
soon as an attack comes to light, to inform them about symptoms
experienced and difficulties the symptoms may be causing. Rest is often advised
along with a healthy nutrition plan and medication is sometimes given.
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