moms R women 2
Raising Awareness About Multiple Sclerosis
M
ultiple Sclerosis (MS) is according to some studies. The possible relaa chronic and often distionship between sunlight and MS exposure is abling disease that being researched today in a society-funded epiattacks the central nervous system. demiological study in Australia. Typical patients range from 20 to 40 So does that mean you pack up and move years old. A person to Florida? No. There are with MS may have treatments to help stabilize one or several sympyour condition with MS. toms, such as loss of Melissa Miller, 37, was diagvision (usually in one eye), dounosed at 30 and now gives ble vision, weakness, numbness, herself a weekly shot therapy tingling, walking difficulty and of Avonex to help stabilize the urinary urgencies. About disease. 400,000 people in the U.S. are “I was lucky to have been suffering from MS and the numdiagnosed early,” Miller says. It Melissa Miller ber continues to increase. all began when she started to According to Dr. Donald A. Barone, a lose vision in her left eye. She saw several docboard certified neurologist in Stratford, tors before she finally got a MRI. The MRI “Women are more commonly afflicted with showed she had brain lesions and that’s when this disease by a margin of almost 3 to 1. The she was referred to a neurologist. It still took a precise biological reason for this increased prefew months before she was diagnosed with MS. ponderance in women is not known, however, Therapy has helped her regain her vision and research suggests there are immunological the other symptoms are now under control. issues in women that may provide clues to Her advice to anyone who believes they may explain this phenomenon.” have MS is, “do not ignore your symptoms and A parent with MS passes on about a 1 perkeep visiting doctors until you feel confident cent risk to their offspring and a sister of a you have been properly diagnosed.” woman with MS has about a 2 to 4 percent risk Gretchen Lucas of Juliustown in Burlingof contracting the disease. MS disease activity ton County, agrees with Miller. “Listen to what tends to diminish during pregnancy which is your body tells you,” she says. Diagnosed at 32, probably related to a relative down-regulation Lucas finds living with MS is a daily struggle, of the immune system while the mother is car“some days are good and some are a great rying a child. However, during the postpartum effort.” However, she tries to make it funny. “I period, the disease may exacerbate. can’t do very much to change it,” states Lucas. The cause of multiple sclerosis is still Lucas, whose aunt and mother both have unknown. Some data suggests exposure to MS, has neuropathy in her hands and feet and some environmental agents before puberty drops things often. Both women have become may predispose a person to develop MS later her support system. “Sometimes the pain on in life. Other scientists believe Vitamin D brings me to tears. I have a hard time being on plays a role. People living near the equator are my feet as I can’t feel them for longer than 15 exposed to more year-round sunlight, thereto 20 minutes. I need to sit down all the time.” fore, MS generally occurs more frequently in Lucas takes one day at a time. “The worst people who live farther from the equator, part is that I hate disappointing my family and
By Carolyn Leigh Kellerman friends as sometimes when we make plans, I have to cancel if I am having a bad day.” Even though there is no cure, there are many ways to reduce the symptoms of MS. While there are medications to help control attacks, a patient with MS may also get relief from physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as cognitive and vocational rehabilitation. Alternative therapies can be very beneficial, including exercise, a change in diet and reducing your stress level. If you think you may have MS listen to what your body tells you, seek medical advice from your doctor and reach out for support from the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America located in Cherry Hill. For more information, visit www.msassociation.org or call (856) 4884500.✲
Signs and Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis • fatigue • visual disorders • numbness • dizziness/vertigo • bladder and bowel dysfunction • weakness • tremor • impaired mobility • sexual dysfunction • slurred speech • spasticity (leg stiffness) • swallowing disorders • chronic aching pain • depression • mild cognitive & memory difficulties
Classroom time includes a mix of teacher-directed as well as independent learning center activities. Call for a tour today and see if our center is the right place for your child.
Shining Lights Preschool and Daycare Center 1720 Springdale Road Open 5 days a week Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 from 7am-6pm
10 | March 2011
Full and half day programs for children ages 21⁄2 through 5 years, Transitional Kindergarten www.shininglightsonline.org
Visit our website and sign up for our e-newsletter