14 November 2017
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition that impacts the central nervous system and disrupts information that flows between the brain and the body. Because that controls a lot of what we do, it affects movement, balance and vision. There can be a wide range of symptoms, which can be different from person to person, but that makes life challenging.
MS is a lifelong condition, and in the UK, it’s estimated that over 130,000 people* are living with it. Though symptoms may be noticeable years before an official diagnosis, most people in the UK are likely to find out they have MS aged between 30-50; almost three times as many women as men are affected.
If a family member has been diagnosed with MS, it’s obviously going to be an upsetting and challenging time. MS impacts quality of life, and certain day to day tasks will be more difficult. In this Family Guide to Multiple Sclerosis, we’ll take a closer look at the different types of MS, the most common symptoms, and tips for supporting your loved one.
*Source: MS Society
What causes MS is not known for sure. It could be due to lifestyle factors, such as a lack of Vitamin D, smoking or obesity, environmental factors, or genes. You can read more about the possible causes of MS here.
What is known is how MS affects someone. In the body’s central nervous system, the nerve fibres are protected by a substance called myelin, which helps signals and messages from the brain travel to the rest of the body. In cases of MS, the immune system attacks myelin and damages it, making it difficult for the brain to send these messages. There can also be damage to the nerve fibres, too, and that leads to an increase in disability.
There are three main types of MS:
Relapsing remitting Multiple Sclerosis
With this type of MS, people have distinct attacks of symptoms which then fade – which could be partially or completely. With relapses, symptoms get worse and then better. The MS Society states that around 85% of people diagnosed with MS have this type – though many may move on to secondary progressive MS.
Secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis
For many people, this stage follows relapsing remitting MS. With secondary progressive MS, symptoms get gradually worse, rather than relapses, then recovery. Treatment could help delay the onset of secondary progressive MS. It can take 20 years for someone with relapsing remitting MS to move to secondary progressive MS.
Primary progressive Multiple Sclerosis
This affects around 10-15% of people with MS. With primary progressive MS, symptoms get progressively worse from diagnosis. Early symptoms might be quite subtle, and might develop gradually over time.
There are wide-ranging symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, and they can differ from person to person. Some of these will be visible, and obvious to other people, while others less so. In fact, these symptoms are often categorised as visible and invisible.
Visible symptoms of MS can include:
Invisible symptoms of MS can include:
If a family member hasn’t been diagnosed with MS but is beginning to show some of the symptoms above, and you’re concerned about them, make sure you contact your GP for more advice.
Whichever type of MS your family member has been diagnosed with – and whatever symptoms they are displaying – living with Multiple Sclerosis is going to be challenging.
While there is no cure for MS, with the right support, care and treatment, someone living with the condition can still lead a long and active life. Your family member should consult a GP to discuss potential treatments, which can help to relieve stress, symptoms and the amount of relapses they may have.
Practising good self care can help, too. Encourage your loved one to have a healthy, balanced diet as much as possible, and stay active, where they can - regular exercise is important. Smokers should cut down their intake or stop completely, ideally. According to the NHS, smoking is associated with MS, and may increase the speed at which symptoms worsen. Stopping smoking may slow down the progression.
Providing emotional support for your family member is important, too. Someone living with MS may experience anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges. They might also be interested in joining local groups, specifically for people living with MS, to share experiences and feelings.
Because Multiple Sclerosis can affect many parts of someone’s life and daily routine, even tasks that might seem basic – and once were – can become a challenge. To help make some of those challenges a little easier, we have a range of specifically designed products to ease symptoms and help with the person's independence and self-esteem.
Balance, dizziness, stiffness of muscles and fatigue – all common symptoms of MS – can all be extremely tiring. There are several bathing aids that can be beneficial to someone living with MS, helping to provide support and making bathing a more comfortable and enjoyable experience. These products include bath grab rails, bath and shower seats, extra-long handled sponges and bath safety aids.
Simple everyday tasks that are considered easy for many people may be a much harder task for someone living with MS. Dressing aids such as button hooks and zip pullers, sock pulls, long-handled shoe horns – to make it easier to pull shoes on – and Velcro belts may all be exceptionally useful tools and devices.
Using standard cutlery to eat and drink can be a challenge for someone living with MS, especially if tremors, muscle spasms and stiffness are displaying symptoms. These can make it difficult to grip cutlery properly, and to use. So, specialised cutlery can be a huge help. Items such as plate surrounds and guards and electrical can openers are just a few of the eating aids that can help make mealtimes go more smoothly.
Mobility aids include a range of products that can be really useful, from a walking stick for someone with mild to significant problems with balance, or a quad cane to provide even more stability. Walkers and wheelchairs may be beneficial for someone who has major leg weakness and cannot walk without support.. These mobility aids provide independence and can help with self-esteem.
As walking, sitting and balance can all be issues for someone living with Multiple Sclerosis, toileting can be a challenge. Thankfully, there are many products to help with toileting, including portable commodes, toilet support rails, and toilet lifts.
Even with family support, for someone living with Multiple Sclerosis, life can feel lonely and isolating. However, help is available, with a number of charities and support groups throughout the UK available to provide support, advice and comfort.
These include:
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