25th of April to 1st May  2022 is observed as the Multiple Sclerosis week (#MSAwarenessWeek) to raise awareness about the condition.

Multiple Sclerosis, also known as MS is a disabling condition which affects the central nervous system- consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Multiple Sclerosis means “scar tissue in multiple areas.”

People suffering from MS have a compromised immune system that attacks the sheath that protects the nerve fibres and causes communication issues between the brain and the rest of the body.

The causes of MS are unknown but there are multiple factors that might contribute to the development of the condition namely – Age, sex, race, climate, genetic history etc.

The onset of MS usually occurs between 20 to 40 years of age and affects women more than men. People particularly those of Northern European descent, are at highest risk of developing MS as it is more common in countries with temperate climate like USA, Canada, New Zealand, Europe etc.

Picture Source: Wikipedia

The risks also increases if there is a family history of Multiple Sclerosis.

Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

The signs and symptoms of MS vary greatly from person to person depending on the location and duration of damage. Usual symptoms may include:

  • Tremors and lack of motor coordination.
  • Unsteady walk
  • Blurry or double vision
  • Numbness or weakness in hands and legs
  • Slurred speech
  • Tingling Sensations and pain

Diagnosis

There’s no cure for Multiple Sclerosis. However, timely diagnosis and treatments can help in recovery from attacks, and manage symptoms.

No single test can confirm the condition, so a doctor will use multiple ways for a diagnosis.

These may include:

  • MRI Scans of the brain and spinal cord, which will show the lesions
  • Spinal fluid analysis, to identify antibodies that suggest a previous infection
  • A test to measure electrical activity in response to stimuli also known as Evoked Potential Testing.

Find out more about MS and the National MS society’s efforts to raise awareness . Visit their YouTube channel HERE.

How can we help?

At Visiting Angels we take special care of our senior’s needs if they are suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. We know it can be difficult for a person suffering from MS to maintain a routine. The Choose your Caregiver program plays and important role here, as the clients have a choice in  the caregiver they want to appoint to take care of them, based on their needs and the carer’s skills. There is an added advantage of seeing a familiar face  as the same caregiver visits them every time.

Find out more about our services HERE.