Word On MS

Out grateful thanks to the MS Trust for their contribution to our 'on-air' report (which you can hear again at the bottom of this page)  - you can connect with the charity via the links page of this site.    

What Is MS?  Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath, the protective covering of nerve fibres in the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. Over time, this damage causes nerve impulses to be disrupted.

MS is an unpredictable, yet manageable, condition. Early detection and starting treatment  early can reduce relapses, slow progression, and preserve quality of life. With proper medication, rehabilitation, and lifestyle support, many individuals with MS maintain active and meaningful lives.

What Causes It? The exact cause remains unknown. However, it likely involves a combination of factors:

• Autoimmune triggers that mistakenly target myelin
• Genetic predisposition: relatives of MS patients have a higher risk; certain HLA genes are implicated 
• Environmental factors, including vitamin D deficiency (due to limited sunlight), smoking, and exposure to Epstein–Barr virus 

How Common Is It? Globally, about 2.8–2.9 million people are living with MS  In the UK, an estimated 150,000+ people have MS—around 1 in 400—with roughly 7,100 new diagnoses per year (135 weekly). 

Symptoms: MS symptoms vary greatly depending on the nerves affected. Common ones include:

• Fatigue, often debilitating
• Visual problems, such as blurred vision or optic neuritis
• Sensory issues, including numbness or tingling
• Motor dysfunction, such as muscle weakness, cramps, spasticity, balance and coordination problems
• Bladder and bowel issues, including urgency or incontinence

If you're experiencing symptoms like persistent fatigue, numbness, blurred vision, or balance issues—please consult your GP or a neurologist. Early evaluation and treatment matter.

MS typically follows one of these disease courses:

• Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS) – flare-ups followed by partial or full recovery (>85% of cases) 
• Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) – gradual worsening over time
• Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) – steady decline from onset (10–15%) 

Impact on Patients: MS affects daily life significantly:

• Mobility: walking, balance, and coordination may be impaired; many require aids such as crutches or wheelchairs.
• Daily Activities: cognitive symptoms, fatigue, and pain can limit work, social life, independence, and quality of life.

Life Expectancy: slightly reduced life expectancy, but many older adults with MS still live fulfilling lives thanks to improved treatments .

Is MS Treatable? While there is no cure, treatments can effectively manage symptoms and modulate disease activity:

• Disease Modification
• Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) like interferons, glatiramer acetate, and newer agents reduce relapse rates and slow progression by approximately 30–70% 
• Symptomatic Treatment
• Steroids for relapses
• Spasticity and pain relief
• Supportive care: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, mental health support, and CBT
• Lifestyle support: mobility aids, home adaptations, bladder guidance .

Challenges: A recent report from the Multiple Sclerosis Trust, 'Life Changing: Getting around with MS', surveyed nearly 1,000 people living with MS. It highlights profound mobility barriers many face outside their homes . According to the findings, around 96,000 people across the UK are effectively “virtual prisoners”—unable to leave home without support due to mobility, fatigue, bladder issues, and inaccessible infrastructure.

Major Mobility Obstacles Reported

• Difficulty managing symptoms: 73% struggle with fatigue, and 80% cite bladder and bowel problems as major barriers to travel 
• Unsafe public areas: Over 90% say broken pavements, poor disabled parking, and bad urban design make traveling outside dangerous.
• Support complexity: 60% lacked clarity on how to access financial or transport help; 30% found forms too confusing to complete 
• Emotional toll: 77% reported feeling isolated; half said they would spend more time outside if mobility support were improved 

How You Can Help – and Get Help Too: Read the full report ('Life changing: getting around with MS') on the MS Trust website (visit our Links Page to connect with the MS Trust  —and share it to raise awareness.

Listen to this weeks radio report