Advances in research are giving us a better understand of the disease, challenging the room doctors treat it, and changing how people with MS manage their health. here, we dispel five common myths about MS .
Myth:
MS is a genetic disease. If no one in my family has the condition, then I’m not at risk.
Fact:
If you have a relative with MS, you are at a higher risk for the disease. But even people without a family connection to MS can be diagnosed with it. “ Research has identified some familial factors, ” says Margaret Frazer, MD, Senior Director within the Neuroscience team at Pfizer, “ but we ’ re still learning about all of the causes of MS. ” other likely risk factors being studied include environmental and viral triggers.
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Myth:
Only older people have MS.
Fact:
MS is normally diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. “ early symptoms may not be equally debilitating as they finally can become, but it ’ south placid important to address the condition in a new person, ” says Dr. Frazer. In most circumstances, the earlier you start discussion for this disease the better, regardless of how serious the symptoms may seem .
Myth:
People with MS all experience the same symptoms.
Fact:
No two MS patients will experience the disease in the lapp way. MS is characterized by a standard set of symptoms, but they ’ ra not constantly all stage in every person. These symptoms besides tend to come and go and will affect each person differently. The most coarse symptoms may include :
- Fatigue.
- Weakness and muscle spasms.
- Tingling, numbness, and pain throughout the body.
- Vision changes.
- Bladder dysfunction.
- Memory loss, dementia, impaired attention.
- Balance problems.
- Speech disturbance.
- Vertigo (feeling like the room is spinning).
- Hearing loss.
Whether you ’ ve been diagnosed with the disease or not, it ’ sulfur important to keep track of your symptoms and discuss them with your doctor, particularly any that are newly or last longer than 24 hours .
Myth:
An MS diagnosis means I will eventually be unable to walk.
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Fact:
major strides have been made in the field of MS inquiry, which means some people with MS are remaining mobile far longer than earlier. “ While we still don ’ t have a bring around for MS, there are more treatment options now than a few decades ago, ” according to Dr. Frazer. If you are diagnosed with MS, be sure to set aside batch of time to discuss these treatment options with your healthcare supplier in order to find the most appropriate plan .
Myth:
If you have MS, you should not exercise.
Fact:
It was once believed that if you were diagnosed with MS, you shouldn ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate exercise. Some doctors thought it would actually bring on MS symptoms. The truth is, exercise can help improve mobility and balance, two things that are authoritative when you have MS. Staying active and healthy can besides decrease tire, which is typically the most disable MS symptom. That said, the symptoms of MS may be more detectable when its hot outside or if you become overheat. It ’ randomness crucial to work with your healthcare team to create an exercise and bodily process plan that ’ s properly for you .