March 9, 2017 by
Although there is no cure for multiple sclerosis (MS), hundreds of thousands of people in the United States are living with it – around 400,000 people to be exact, and of that, 86 percent of multiple sclerosis patients list fatigue as the number one symptom of the disease. The cause of MS is not known; it is not contagious or known to be directly inherited, but factors that may come into play include the following:
- Gender – Women are impacted more than two times as often as men
- Age – Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50
- Geography – Most people with MS live in temperate environments
- Ethnic background – Caucasians are at a greater risk
It is thought that multiple sclerosis symptoms result when an immune system attack affects myelin, the protective insulation surrounding nerve fibers of the central nervous system. For individuals with MS, myelin is destroyed and replaced by scars of toughened sclerotic tissue. Some underlying nerve fibers are permanently severed, and the damage manifests in multiple places within the central nervous system — providing the disease with its name.
While no cure for multiple sclerosis has been discovered yet, a few FDA-approved medications are available for the long-term treatment of MS. These meds have been shown to decrease the number and severity of MS flare-ups, and possibly postpone progression of the disease. In addition, numerous therapeutic and technological advances are assisting people with managing symptoms.
Contact At Home Independent Living to find out how our senior caregivers can help individuals with multiple sclerosis feel enabled, motivated and connected to others. Feel free to call us anytime at 315.579.HOME (4663) to schedule a free, in-home consultation or to learn more about our services for elderly care in Liverpool, NY and the surrounding area.