March is Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month. Medi-Rents & Sales understands that MS is not a new disease, but many of us know little about it.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. The nervous system affects the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord. Many researchers see it as an autoimmune disorder because the body is attacking healthy tissue. There is no known cause and there is no known cure.
Multiple sclerosis is common in this country and around the world. Statistics show that there are currently 350,000 to 500,000 people in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with MS, but experts say that the numbers could be much higher.
Worldwide there are over 2.5 million people are living with the disease. Two hundred people are diagnosed with MS every week and those are just the ones who have their diagnosis submitted.
While anyone can de diagnosed with MS, certain groups are more at risk.
- Most individuals are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50
- MS is more common in women than men
- MS appears more frequently in Caucasians than in Hispanics or African Americans
- MS is relatively rare among Asians
What are the symptoms of MS? While here are common symptoms of MS, different people will have different symptoms at different times.
Common symptoms of MS include:
- fatigue
- weakness
- muscle spasticity
- walking and balance problems
- bladder and bowel problems
- numbness and tingling
- sporadic vision loss
- tremors
Many of these symptoms are shared with other diseases and disorders as well, so it’s best to be tested. Even if you are diagnosed with MS, there is no certain timeline for the progression of the disease. The disease can progress quickly or slowly and have times of remission. That’s why having the right medical care and the right medical equipment from Medi-Rents & Sales is so important. From walkers to wheelchairs to CPAP and respiratory supplies, see Medi-Rents & Sales today.
