Life with multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a chronically inflammatory Entmarkungserkrankung of the central nervous system. The causes of the incurable illness are not clarified until today. The process can be affected however. Groups of self-helps can help affected to lead a to a large extent normal life.
Duesseldorf - sometimes it is a strange feeling in the legs, extreme tiredness or a visual disturbance. In addition, problems during the emptying of intestine or uncertainties can be when going and standing. Apparently little things - nevertheless it can be meaningful to visit a neurologist: All these symptoms can be first signs for a multiple sclerosis, ms abbreviated. With this chronic inflammation the own immune system attacks the isolating coverings of the nerve cells and their cables in the brain and back Mark and damages it.
A clear diagnosis is however not completely simple, because most symptoms can occur also with other diseases. After a detailed discussion of disease history will the physician from there a neurological investigation would drive through, in order to test, how strongly which nerve function is impaired. In addition also attention and memory tests belong. “Here falls some patients
up that already early signs for the illness give it have. They were taken however frequently not seriously”, explain Hans Peter Hartung, director of the neurological hospital at the University of Duesseldorf and deputy chairmen of the medical adviser of the German multiple Sklerose-company.
Mostly women are concerned
To be supplemented these tests can approximately by an investigation of the back Mark liquid - on the one hand, in order to look for inflammation markers, and on the other hand, in order to exclude other illnesses than a cause of the disturbances. Also a magnetresonanztomographische admission considers Hartung necessary: “Here both current herd of inflammation and vernarbte places of faded away inflammations in the brain can be recognized, even if no disease symptoms are”.
Despite the always far improved methods, then in the year 2001 the ms register introduced to Germany shows, lasts it on the average three and a half years, until a clear diagnosis is placed. Most concerning are then between 20 and 40 years old. Why it meets straight it and why more than twice as frequently gets sick to women like men, is so far still unclear. A genetic assessment seems partial to play a role. Also environmental factors such as viruses are discussed as causers.
Multiple sclerosis arises schubweise
If the suspicion on ms was once confirmed, equal most concerning accept the worst. “Many patients see themselves sitting in the wheelchair, if they hear their diagnosis - the probability for a good process is with appropriate treatment very highly”, calms down Hartung. The ms progresses not necessarily inexorably and continuously, but in most cases arises in thrusts, between which breaks for many years and frequently also a recovery of the symptoms can lie.
The most typical and most well-known complaints are movement disturbances, Spastik and powerlessness in the legs, which limit the mobility of the concerning ever more. Which therapy is used, depends thereby particularly on the development of the illness. Here a process documentation helps.
Since ms is so far not more curable, a therapy is to affect above all the disease process favorably. During an acute thrust in addition usually highly proportioned cortisone is given. Its entzündungshemmende effect is to introduce and accelerate the recovery of the symptoms. With a heavy thrust a blood laundry can be effective.
Inflammations must be contained
On a long-term basis is besides a basis therapy the inflammations to contain and new thrusts prevent or it at least moderate. Usually thereby active substances are used such as beta interferon, which modify the reactions of the immune system in such a way that the attack on the body-own fabric is absorbed. If they do not fasten, a Immunsuppressivum can be used, that the immune system altogether suppressed. Meanwhile also a so-called monoklonarer antibody is available, which can be used after risk use consideration.
For the receipt of the quality of life of the concerning the treatment of the individual symptoms is particularly important beside the basis and to the thrust therapy - finally they are it, which determine the everyday life. With the decision, which therapy is applicable, also the contact can help to a group of self-helps.
Groups of self-helps help
However many, in order to accept their diagnosis and this step go, white Christa Andretta, spokeswoman of a group of self-helps need time concerned for ms-concerned in Aachen, from own experience. “Younger concerning are interested above all in it, how it continues with occupation, training and family, during itself older rather over medicines and therapies exchange”, explain them. Occasionally also lectures are offered, which are to inform new group members.
Otherwise one meets once in the month for playing, meal or simply for talking. “With the time one speaks however more rarely about the illness, but enjoys rather the society”, says Andretta. Because the illness has also a social component: Ms patients live frequently very in an isolated manner and have sometimes also no more possibility of attaching contacts. Andretta stresses: “A group of self-helps can offer at least a small alternation.” (strip packing)
