[layerslider id="27"]
Multiple Sclerosis
WHAT IS IT?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder. The nerve fibres in the central nervous system responsible for sending messages from the brain to the limbs. When the myelin (coating around the nerve fibres) gets damaged because of the body’s immune system mistakenly identifying myelin as a threat. This then can result in variety of symptoms, some more severe than others. When the myelin has been damaged it is harder for the never fibres to transmit messages around the body. As well as the myelin becoming damaged the actual nerve fibre itself can become damaged leaving scars known as plaques or lesions upon the never fibres. It’s because of this that MS can progressively get worse over time.
85% of people with MS have a type of MS called, Relapsing Remitting MS. What this means is that they could experience symptoms then they could go for a short while or in some cases forever.
The other 15% of people suffering with MS have what is called, Primary Progressive MS. What this means is unfortunately the person who has this form of MS may experience progressively worse symptoms for the rest of their lives.
WHO IS AT RISK?
It is most commonly known for people to be diagnosed between the ages of 20-50, but it can affect younger and older people too.
Symptoms can start to show within your 20’s to 30’s and then can progressively get worse over time.
There are more than 100,000 people in the UK alone that have MS.
Roughly 3 times as many women have MS than men.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT?
INDIVIDUAL:
People diagnosed with MS may experience feelings of depression, reclusiveness and feelings of low self-esteem as well as physical symptoms that have come from their MS.
Depending on the type of MS and the severity of the individual’s condition, will determine what they may or may not be able to do. Individuals with sever primary progressive MS may find it difficult to go away on holidays as there is limited disabled friendly holiday packages with carers available to perform care that is required for the individual.
FAMILY AND FRIENDS:
May feel that they cannot cope with being around a loved one if their physical mobility/ communication skills/ cognitive functions have decrease and other loved ones may not want to be away from the individual’s side. This can instil guilt within the loved one causing them to act differently towards the individual with MS and others.
Planning days out and activities can be difficult for loved ones who do not have an understanding of MS. This can result in loosing contact with the person with MS or for a person who is always around a person with MS but not leaving the home can make themselves and the individual feel confined and trapped through isolation.
CARERS AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS:
May experience problems providing the best quality of Care if they have not been trained how to Care for someone with MS or if they do not have the correct moving and handling equipment. If the individual has primary progressive MS, this could mean that the individual’s needs may increase and the Carers may not be trained to provide their Care needs.
HOW WE CAN HELP…
Our CDCA Management and Care Team have our collective experience on MS and knowledge of the condition to ensure that they are delivering the best quality of Care for you or your loved one.
Care plans will be put in place with our Management Team, the individual with MS and the loved ones around the individual to ensure that the best quality of Care is given. Care plans will be assessed and updated regularly to ensure that the individual is getting the correct Care at the correct time. All of our staff have regular training, ensuring that everyone we Care for is being looked after in the most up to date correct way.
Follow Us!