Multiple Sclerosis or MS is a disease that affects the central nervous system. It causes scars on parts of the brain and spinal cord that can actually be seen. In MS the myelin that covers the cells is damaged and therefore cannot protect again something as simple as a cold. Because of the scars on the brain it causes symptoms such as fatigue, muscle stiffness and spasms, problems with balance or coordination, numbness, pain, weakness, bowel or bladder problems, problems with memory, attention, and problem solving, sexual issues, and depression or mood swings.
There are two different types of MS too. One is gradual and symptoms occur in relapses that last for more than 24 hours. The other is more severe and sets on fast and very rarely has relapses. Treated or not, MS causes permanent damage.
As of now there is no cure for MS. All they have are a few drugs in the form of shots that help ease the symptoms for a while.
MS takes a long time to diagnose. Doctors don't look for MS. They do many tests, and make exclusions. It may take many years. They have to do this because the symptoms are so much like many other diseases.
Now for the numbers...MS affects 2.5 million people in the world (and with that number it's surprising that not many people know about it) It affects twice as many women as men. It is most common in North America and Europe. It affects young adults too and they are now thinking it may be hereditary to some extent.
MS is not one of those diseases that you can tell just by looking at someone, if they have it or not. My mom has MS, and if anyone has met her you wouldn't guess that she has it at all. She is active, goes for a walk every day, she can do everything anyone else can. But she has bad days too. There are some days that she can't even get out of bed because she is so weak. She gives herself shots every other day just so she can feel better. But her symptoms have already set on permanent damage. My mom can't feel her fingers. She can't handle money or anything small because she just can't feel it. My mom is lucky. For many other people it is much worse than that.
Jim Doyle has designated the week of March 2-8 2009 as MS awareness week in Wisconsin! So get the word out if you can and learn more! Hopefully this week will get people educated and some will donate money to help research for a cure! Also if you are interested come join my mom and I at the 2009 MS Walk in Sheboygan on April 26! If not there are many other locations too!
MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t.
If you want to know more or are just bored and looking for something to do, check this out!
www.nationalmssociety.org
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