What is multiple sclerosis? World MS Day 2024 marked around the globe

World MS Day is being observed globally on Thursday to raise awareness of the condition and campaign for better treatment.

The event is always marked on May 30 and the theme for the day in 2024 is ‘diagnosis’. It carries the tagline ‘navigating MS together’.

The day is intended to allow sufferers of multiple sclerosis the chance to speak about their condition and appeal for greater aid.

“The campaign advocates for early and accurate diagnosis for everyone living with MS,” a statement read.

“It highlights the global barriers to diagnosing MS, raising awareness by sharing real stories and data.

“We are calling for better MS training for healthcare professionals, new research, and clinical advancements in MS diagnosis.

“Together we are building informed, caring communities and systems that support people diagnosed with MS.”

Keep reading for more information about the condition.

What is multiple sclerosis and what are the symptoms?

Popularly known by its abbreviation MS, multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition. This involves your immune system mistakenly attacking your body.

It is caused by damage to the coating of a protein called myelin to and around nerve fibres in the central nervous system. This interferes with the transfer of nerve signals and messages between the brain, spinal cord, and rest of the body.

Symptoms vary in severity from person to person, depending on where and when the damage occurs. These can include fatigue; difficulty walking; blurred vision; bladder control problems; numbness or tingling; muscle stiffness and spasms; and problems with balance, co-ordination, thinking, and learning. The condition is rarely fatal but severe MS can lead to complications such as swallowing difficulties.

It’s one of the most common causes of disability in younger adults, according to the NHS. It is most commonly diagnosed in people in their 20s and 30s, although it can develop at any age. It’s also two to three times more prevalent in women than men.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society describes it as “an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body”.

Experts are not exactly clear on what causes the immune system to start attacking healthy cells. However, most point to a combination of environmental factors and genetics.

There is no cure, but most symptoms can be managed and treated, although life expectancy is slightly reduced in people living with the disease.

Treatments can include steroid medicines and disease-modifying therapies to slow the worsening of disability in people with certain types of the disease.

Most people continue working long after being diagnosed with MS. However, the National MS Society says that due to the “complex and unpredictable” nature of the condition, it can have a “varying effect” on a person’s ability to work.

“Thank you so much,” she said. “Oh my god, you’re totally shaming me with my disability by standing up. It’s fine.”

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