The NHS has issued a health alert on X. The service is encouraging greater awareness of the facts and symptoms surrounding Multiple Sclerosis (MS) during MS Awareness Week, which runs until 20th April.
According to MS Society, MS is the most prevalent central nervous system disorder affecting young adults in the UK. It’s a lifelong condition without a cure that impacts the brain and spinal cord, though the NHS emphasised that every person’s experience with the illness can vary significantly.
MS develops when the immune system mistakenly targets the brain and nerves, though doctors remain uncertain about the precise cause. This assault can prevent the central nervous system from operating correctly.
Given that the central nervous system governs nearly all bodily functions, MS has the potential to disrupt these processes too. The specific impact varies between people, depending on which cells have been damaged and the extent of that damage.
Among the typical MS symptoms are those affecting vision. These may include difficulties with eyesight, blurred vision or discomfort in the eyes.
MS Society noted: “In the UK people are most likely to find out they have MS in their thirties and forties. But the first signs of MS often start years earlier.”
- Fatigue
- Numbness or tingling in different body parts
- Feeling off balance, dizzy or clumsy
- Muscle cramps, spasms and stiffness
- Losing bladder control or needing to pee more often
- Memory or concentration problems
- Sexual problems
MS symptoms frequently fluctuate, experiencing periods of deterioration and improvement, referred to as relapses and remission, though typically the condition progressively worsens. Management often depends on the specific symptoms present and can help control flare-ups.
The MS Society observes: “Lots of MS symptoms are invisible, so you can’t tell by looking at someone if they have MS, or what they’re going through.”
Those living with MS might need additional support or equipment during a flare-up, such as requiring a wheelchair when their mobility is compromised, though many can resume normal activities during periods of remission.
The unpredictable nature of relapses and their duration can make it challenging for those affected to make long-term commitments regarding employment or future plans.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
