Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (or MS, for short) is a chronic condition that often gets worse as time goes by and can lead to permanent disabilities.  In MS, the body loses myelin around the nerve cells and replaces it with scar tissue.  MS affects everyone in a different way.  It depends on what part of the brain is destroyed or damaged.

COMMON TYPES OF MS

• RELAPSING MS: This is the most common form of the disease.  Symptoms flare up and then go away for a period of time.
• PROGRESSIVE MS: This causes a gradual worsening of symptoms.
• PROGRESSIVE-RELAPSING MS: This is the least common form of MS.  Symptoms flare up and then go away...but when they come back they are worse than before.
• BENIGN: This form of MS is mild, causing a few attacks before going away for good.  

TOP TEN SYMPTOMS OF MS

• Vision difficulties, like blurred or double vision.
• Coordination problems, like losing balance.
• Weakness in the arms, hands, feet and legs.
• Speech difficulties, like slurred speech.
• Muscle spasms and stiffness.
• Sexual changes, like impotence or a loss of sensation.
• Bowel and bladder issues, like constipation and incontinence.
• Fatigue; severe exhaustion.
• Mental changes, like being forgetful or unable to concentrate.

HELPING CLIENTS WHO HAVE MS

• Remind your clients to take their medications on time.  Medications work better when they’re taken on schedule.
• Remind your clients to pace themselves!  Don’t let them do too much all at once. Encourage your clients to rest before they become exhausted.  This helps prevent MS fatigue.
• Remember that warm temperatures make MS symptoms worse and can cause flare-ups.  Remind your clients to use air conditioning in their homes, room and cars.  They should also avoid steam baths, saunas, and too much sun! 
• If your MS clients suffer from leg cramps, you can offer to massage their legs for them.
• Working with MS clients takes patience—but remember—so does living with MS!