Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease whereby the body’s immune system attacks the myelin sheath which surrounds nerve cells. This myelin sheath helps nerve cells to transport electrical signals from one place to another within the body. The damage to the myelin sheath can slow or block messages between the brain and the body leading to a range of symptoms depending on the area affected.

There are 3 main types of MS:

Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS)

This is the most common type of MS affecting around 85% of people diagnosed. People with Relapsing-Remitting MS have recurring attacks of new and old symptoms.

An MS Relapse is defined by the appearance of new symptoms or the return of old symptoms for a period of 24 hours or more 30 days or more since the previous flare of symptoms. This is in the absence of other acute medical illnesses.

Relapses can vary in severity and some may require hospital admission.

After a relapse, people enter a period of remission, a stable period between relapses. During this time people may get partial or a full recovery. The remission period allows healing of the myelin sheath. However, if the damage is serve some symptoms may persist.

Secondary Progressive MS

Secondary Progressive MS is a stage of MS which often develops following Relapsing-Remitting MS.  Progression could take between 10 and 20 years, but timescales can vary widely. Not everyone with Relapsing-Remitting MS will develop Secondary Progressive MS.

Secondary Progressive MS can be hard to diagnose. As the disease progresses, relapses may become less frequent or disappear but disability gradually increases.

Although symptoms steadily worsen, periods of stability or improvement can still occur.

Primary Progressive MS

Primary Progressive MS is a less common form of MS affecting approximately 10-15% of people diagnosed.  Unlike other types of MS, Primary Progressive symptoms tend to continually progress once diagnosed.

Early symptoms may be subtle and gradually worsen over time. Typically there will be few or no relapses with Primary Progressive MS.

The rate of progression varies widely between people, with some experiencing a slow decline

Symptoms of MS

Relapsing-Remitting, Secondary Progressive and Primary Progressive MS all cause the immune system to attack the myelin sheath surrounding nerve cells, this can present with many different symptoms. Symptoms may vary greatly from person to person depending on the extent of the damage to the nerve cells within the brain and spinal cord.

Common symptoms include:

·        Muscle weakness, often on one side of the body

·        Numbness or tingling sensations

·        Sensory changes, reduced sensation or increased sensitivity

·        Spasticity or muscular stiffness

·        Involuntary spasms

·        Difficulty mobilising or changes to balance

·        Fatigue (persistent and overwhelming tiredness)

·        Pain

·        Visual problems such as blurred vision, double vision (Diplopia), partial visual loss or pain with eye movement (optic neuritis)

·        Bladder and bowel dysfunction

·        Changes to cognition or thinking skills such as memory, concentration, processing speed or problem solving

·        Emotional or psychological changes

·        Speech or swallowing difficulties.

How can physiotherapy help?

·        Improvements to mobility and walking

·        Reduce the risk of falling

·        Improve balance and stability

·        Increase muscle strength

·        Reduce and manage spasticity and stiffness

·        Improve upper limb function

·        Manage pain

·        Support fatigue management

·        Support Bladder and Bowel function

Currently, there is no cure for MS. However, there are treatments and strategies available to manage the disease, slow its progression and improve quality of life. Disease-modifying therapies are medications that aim to slow the progression, frequency and severity of relapses, limiting the formation of new lesions in the brain and spinal cord.

Physiotherapy plays a key role in the management of MS and focuses on improving mobility, function and overall quality of life. If you would like to discuss how Neulife Therapy can help you with MS please get in touch.

The MS society is a brilliant charity which is dedicated to supporting people affected by MS. They fund research, advocate for improvements in healthcare and provide resources for the general public. To learn more, follow the link to their website.