By Holly Layne, LPN, Nurse Care Manager
March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, and at The Option Group, we strive to provide people with debilitating illnesses with the absolute best in person-centered care management.
Many of us take for granted the ability to walk to the mailbox, carry a box to the basement, or make it to lunchtime without a nap. While the cause of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) remains largely unknown, there is evidence that supports both genetic and environmental components.
What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
MS is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the central nervous system. Damage and inflammation to these nerves interrupt the signals from the brain to the body, leading to debilitating symptoms over time, including fatigue, weakness, numbness and tingling, muscle spasms, visual deficits, and bowel and bladder dysfunction.
MS is an often invisible and highly debilitating condition. The symptoms of MS are abstract and often mimic other common disease processes. There is no definitive test to confirm MS. The diagnosis is normally made based on symptoms and rules out other contributing causes of those symptoms.
Four Types of MS
- Relapsing-Remitting MS: This type of MS is the most common form. About 75% to 85% of people with MS are diagnosed with this type. People experience periods called relapses, flare-ups, or exacerbations. They typically last a few days or weeks. At other times, the symptoms seem to disappear, which is called remission.
- Secondary-Progressive MS: With this type of MS, symptoms worsen over time. People can have episodes with or without the occurrence of relapses and remissions.
- Primary-Progressive MS: This type of MS is not very common, occurring in about 10% of people with MS. It is characterized by slowly worsening symptoms from the beginning, with no relapses or remissions.
- Progressive-Relapsing MS: This is the least common type of MS (5%). People have a steady decline in disease state from the beginning, with acute relapses but no remissions, with or without recovery.
Three Tips on Caring for Loved Ones with MS
Loved ones with MS are often struggling with daily life, especially as the disease progresses. Physical, emotional, and financial problems are common. They often do not want to burden others as their needs increase and are too proud to ask for help. Here are three tips to help those with MS.
- Consider reaching out and providing simple things that would mean so much, i.e., a ride to appointments, delivering groceries, routine visits, or phone calls for support.
- Encourage routine follow-up with their primary care physician and neurologist. Many people find it hard to get out of the house due to a lack of energy and need for physical assistance. While there is no cure for MS, routine follow-up with their doctors is important to manage symptoms.
- Motivate your loved one to complete daily exercises and stretching. This is important to manage symptoms such as spasms. It has also been noted that exercise can benefit bowel and bladder function, decrease fatigue, and improve overall mood.
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month is geared toward education and advocacy initiatives to support the warriors who battle this disease every day. It is estimated that MS impacts nearly 1 million people in the United States. It is quite likely each and every one of us has been touched by someone who lives with this devastating reality each day.
Resources
Here is a link to the National MS Society’s YouTube channel that provides fantastic information on the disease process and advocacy opportunities nationwide and in our backyard. https://www.youtube.com/user/NationalMSSociety
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation are valuable resources that offer grants, MS programs, and support groups and increase community awareness of MS.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) call 1-800-344-4867 or visit https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Resources-Support
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF) call 888-MSFOCUS or visit https://msfocus.org/
The challenges of navigating MS or any invisible disability require a collaborative, cohesive, and person-centered approach. The Options Group has experts prepared to support those in need. No one should face this disease alone!
If you or someone you care about needs additional support to help cope, The Option Group is here to help. Don’t hesitate to contact our professional care management team for assistance.
About The Option Group: Founded in 2010, The Option Group’s compassionate team of experienced Certified Life Care Managers provides services for families, their loved ones, medical professionals, and professional family advisors in Maryland, DC, Southern Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The firm understands the challenges of caring for individuals who need assistance throughout their lifespan due to aging, dementia, disability, or serious illness. Our skilled providers possess over 100 years of combined experience navigating the healthcare maze and accessing hundreds of resources. The Option Group helps families spend quality time with their loved ones, providing clear choices that lead to better care. For more information, visit www.theoptiongroup.net or call 410-667-0266 (MD) or 717-287-9900 / 610-885-8899/ 215-896-6756 (PA) or 302-858-6449 (DE).
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