multiple sclerosis

Question 1

symptoms

Answer 1

each person is affected differently

some of the most common symptoms include:
fatigue
vision problems
numbness and tingling
muscle spasms, stiffness and weakness
mobility problems
pain
sexual problems
speech and swallowing difficulties

Question 2

causes

Answer 2

a combination of genetic and environmental factors

some of the factors that have been suggested as positive causes of MS include:
genes
lack of sunlight
teenage obesity
viral infections
being female
smoking

Question 3

treatments

Answer 3

currently no cure but can treat symptoms
treating MS depends on the specific symptoms and difficulties the person has:
treating relapses-steroids
treating specific MS symptoms
treatment to reduce the number of relapses
professional help- physiotherapist, speech and language, neurologist

Question 4

diagnostic techniques

Answer 4

no single test can positively diagnose

• neurological exam
• MRI scan
• blood tests
• lumbar puncture
• evoked potential tests

Question 5

how to live with it

Answer 5

you may have to adopt your daily life if your diagnosed with MS
self care- taking responsibility for own health and wellbeing
regular reviews
healthy eating and exercising
stopping smoking
keeping well