Lets Talk MS

MS (Multiple sclerosis) Awareness Week 2024 will run from 22 - 28 April 2024. It's a chance to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis, and spread the word. MS is a neurological condition - that means it affects your nerves. You get it when your immune system isn’t working properly. Your immune system normally protects you by fighting off infection, but in MS it attacks your nerves by mistake. Your nerves control lots of different parts of your body - that's why MS symptoms can affect many parts of the body and why everyone experiences different symptoms. Its estimated there are over 130,000 people with MS in the UK, and each year nearly 7,000 people are newly diagnosed.

Some common symptoms of MS include:

• fatigue

• numbness and tingling

• loss of balance and dizziness

• stiffness or spasms

• tremors

• pain

• bladder problems

• bowel trouble

• vision problems

• problems with memory and thinking

Multiple sclerosis is likely to begin due to a mix of factors – something in your environment and some lifestyle factors. No one knows for sure why people get MS. If you are experiencing symptoms, contact your GP today. If your GP thinks your symptoms need further investigation, they'll refer you to a specialist. Due to its complexity and variety of symptoms, it is not easy to diagnose - only a neurologist can diagnose MS.