Assisting MS Clients

Do you or someone you know suffer from MS? We know that it can be incredibly confronting trying to understand an illness you are not familiar with. Senior Helpers National are here to help assist you with understanding what you are dealing with and to let you know that it’s ok not to be ok.

So what is MS? Multiple Sclerosis, commonly known as MS is a chronic illness that infiltrates your central nervous system, interfering with nerve impulses in the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Over 25,000 people in Australia suffer from the condition.

The condition is unique because it is not something you can catch, nor is it hereditary. Through copious studies, they have found a link between genetic and environmental factors that may make certain individuals more susceptible to the disease. There is currently no known cure for MS, however, there are a number of treatment options available to help manage symptoms and slow progression of the disease.
The illness itself is often referred to as an ​unseen disability ​ because the symptoms differ in every individual, these symptoms can often be invisible to other people and depending on what part of the central nervous system is affected, can be varied. Although, there are a couple of common symptoms among sufferers including:

  • Fatigue, constantly suffering from being tired and exhausted
  • Having difficulty walking because of issues with balance and coordination
  • Vertigo, pins and needles or visual disturbance
  • Issues with the bladder and constant constipation

Each day, month, or year can be really different for a person suffering from MS. It’s important to remember to take each day as it comes and find ways to manage the illness. Try not to get too caught up in feeling as if you or the individual are being lazy or unmotivated, just learn to understand the limits and know when they are reached. Always know that it’s ok to not be ok, and if others can’t see, or understand the symptoms you are experiencing that doesn’t mean that they aren’t valid – everyone’s journey through MS is different and you are not alone.

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