Understanding A Way of Better Living With Multiple Sclerosis

How can you better understand your diagnosis and healthy living?

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An initial diagnosis can be scary and confusing, especially if you do not know exactly what that means for your body or your future. Understanding what it is you are diagnosed with and how it will affect you is extremely important. Multiple Sclerosis is no different but having a better understanding will help with the way that you view it.

      What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis is often known as MS, which is an autoimmune disease. The tissues and cells of your body are attacked, causing nerve damage. This causes a blockage of information to the body resulting in slow or absent body movements and thoughts.

Who can be diagnosed with MS?

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Anyone can be diagnosed with MS. Typically, beginning symptoms become noticeable and are diagnosed between the ages of 20-50 years old in young adults. Multiple sclerosis is three times more likely to be diagnosed in women than in men. It is also more common in ethnic groups. Individuals with a family history of MS have a slightly higher risk of being diagnosed due to genetics. It is currently uncertain of the exact causes of MS but known that ultimately, anyone can diagnosed at any time throughout their lives.

Below is a video of a young, active woman who was recently diagnosed and asking for advice. She is a professional dancer and lives with MS. Is this possible? Yes! Studies show that typically individuals diagnosed with MS remain working for many years developing a strong working history for as long as their body allows (Bishop, 11). 

What are the Symptoms of MS?

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis can vary in each person. Some may experience worse or more frequent symptoms than others. Some symptoms related to multiple sclerosis include:
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  • Feeling tired
  • Weakness
  • Pain
  • Changes in your vision
  • Difficulty moving your arms and/or legs
  • Jerking or stiffening movements of the arms/legs or body
  • Numbness and Tingling
  • Shaking of the body
  • Bowel & Bladder changes
  • Depression & Anxiety
  • Sexual Dysfunction

Different Types of Multiple Sclerosis

Now that you know what symptoms may lead to a diagnosis of MS, it is important to know that there are three different types. Different media sources may describe MS as having four categories and other resources may break it into three due to new changes and groupings of the diagnosis’. The three types of MS are Primary Progressive MS (PPMS), Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS) and Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS). Each of these diagnosis’ can be found in both males and females and at any age. RRMS is the most common diagnosis and typically later turns into SPMS as it worsens. PPMS is the least common diagnosis’. Experienced symptoms and the pace of worsening can vary in each type. The video below explains the different types of multiple sclerosis further in depth. The video does explain about a forth type known as Progressive Relapsing MS which was often used as a diagnosis in the past, but with further research it has been eliminated (Bishop, 7).

How to Better Live and Manage MS

Living with multiple sclerosis can vary for individuals depending on the affect of symptoms, how quickly or slowly the disease develops and how the disease is being managed. Currently, there is no cure but finding a way to manage and modify the disease is what can slow down it’s development. Medication is one of the most popular ways to do so. Other than medication, a healthy lifestyle including eating healthy and exercising (if you are able to) will be sure to help decrease the worsening of symptoms and slow down the development. An article titled An Update: Multiple Sclerosis further explains that the basis of generalized healthy living is what will help to slow down the development of MS (Faguy, 541). There are many people who live with MS throughout the world and they are people of all different ages, races, ethnicity, gender and social statures. Although all individuals may be experiencing different symptoms, working together and better understanding the disease is what helps these individuals to better live with their diagnosis. Below is a video of real life individuals who have been diagnosed with MS at different stages in their lives and their view and how they are currently living with the diagnosis.

 

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References: 

Bishop, M., Timblin, R. I., & Rumrill Jr., P. D. (2016). Medical, Psychosocial, and Vocational Aspects of Multiple Sclerosis: Implications for Rehabilitation Professionals. Journal Of Rehabilitation, 82(2), 6-13.

Faguy, K. (2016). Multiple Sclerosis: An Update. Radiologic Technology, 87(5), 529-553

Habibi, M., & Kuttab, H. (2016). Management of multiple sclerosis and the integration of related specialty pharmacy programs within health systems. American Journal Of Health-System Pharmacy, 73811-819. doi:10.2146/ajhp150723

http://www.healthline.com/health/multiple-sclerosis/facts-statistics-infographic

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjVrcW6pa7QAhUI6IMKHTw9DQEQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjustkeepsmyelin.com%2Fpost%2F115505022584%2Ftedx-talk-about-living-with-ms&bvm=bv.139138859,d.amc&psig=AFQjCNEMwV0NTZKiS2DHnlCS6LByMKCn6w&ust=1479420620922406

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