The Undiagnosed Disease Raging in the NW
Written by William Somerville, Former Student on Thursday, January 21, 2016
Musltiple sclerosis continues to affect people on a global scale. MS, also known as disseminated sclerosis or encephalomyelitis disseminata, is a demyelinating disease in which the insulating covers of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged. MS affects an estimated 2.1 million people worldwide, including more than 12,000 of people in the northwest. While its exact cause is still unknown, scientists, according to whyhere.org, believe a combination of factors, some of which are specific to the northwest corner of the country, contribute to its onset.
With the true cause of MS still hidden, medical professionals can only speculate what aids the disease. Scientists believe it has something to do with darkness, or a lack of vitamin D. This also explains why the disease tends to exist mostly in the northwest and in Europe. Vitamin D is needed for our immune system if it is to respond correctly when under attack. The people most at risk of MS are typically Caucasians of European decent. Some studies also show that MS could be genetic, but there is no evidence of it being directly inherited. Life expectancy has increased for people diagnosed with it over time with better medical treatment and more awareness of the disease. the life expectancy of diagnosed people is typically only seven years less than the general population.
MS can be tricky to diagnose. There’s no one test to determine if a person has it. There is a list of symptoms that must be matched if someone is to be diagnosed. This explains why many people can go undiagnosed for several years. The more common symptoms of MS include fatigue, numbness or tingling, weakness, dizziness and vertigo, sexual problems, pain, emotional changes, depression, cognitive changes, bowel problems, bladder problems, vision problem, spasticity, walking difficulties. If an individual matches these symptoms, then he or she may want to bring them to his or her doctor’s attention.
If individuals are diagnosed with MS, they should be reminded that there are many things to help the transition. Financial assistance, educational recourses, and emotional support of people who’ve been there are all within easy reach at whyhere.org.
