A self-help group whose aim is to help maintain and improve the quality of life
of people with
Multiple Sclerosis who live in the Lothians, Fife and the Borders
Scotland has the highest rate of Multiple Sclerosis in
the world. Why this should be is not clear. Some
researchers think it could be environmental, others that
it could be something in our genetic make-up which makes
us more susceptible. It is not inherited, and cannot be "caught" from anyone else.
"Sclerosis" means
scarring and refers to damage to a nerve sheath, which
is like the covering on an electric cable. This
interferes with the messages sent from the brain down
the nerve and causes the part of the body that should
have received that message to "get things wrong". Legs
get wobbly, bladders leak, eyesight gets dim, etc. Every
patient is dealt a different set of symptoms, of
different severity, depending on where they have damage,
and how much damage there is.
One episode of these problems in one area which then goes away is not usually enough to diagnose MS with certainty. Hence "Multiple" as repeat episodes, or a
problem in a different area, gives more evidence to base a diagnosis on. The
presence of "plaques" is more evidence - but they have also been revealed in many of the
older general population without causing any symptoms at all of MS.
Treatment by drugs and other means is mostly aimed at preventing or slowing down
further damage, and minimising symptoms. New drugs are being researched all the time, and can be very
effective. Appropriate physiotherapy is very important from the start, to keep the body and limbs moving and
supple.
Diet is also important, both to make sure that the body is keeping as healthy as possible and to avoid putting
on weight, which can hinder mobility.
MS is a stressful experience both for the patient and for their family, but there is help and support
available from several sources.
Some of them can be found by following the buttons below.
THESE LINKS OPEN IN NEW WINDOWS
More about MS on the website of MS Therapy Centres Scotland
Diet in MS, on the website of MS Therapy Centres Scotland
Support and advice for people with MS and their families
The
MS booklist below is automatically generated by amazon.co.uk based on the contents of
this website.
If it is displaying something irrelevant like breadmakers or computer
software, just click the links a couple of times to remind it to concentrate
on MS.
There
is also a general link to our personalised Amazon SwanShop on our
Fundraising page.
Orders placed through these links help us by earning commission.
SWANFIELD
