MS Awareness Week

What Will You Do to Help the Movement?

Mar 16, 2008 Jennifer Gerics

MS is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects women. There are things you can do this week and all year long to continue the movement against it.

What is MS?

Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disorder that is believed to be autoimmune in nature. The body's own immune system, for reasons unclear, attacks the myelin or protective covering of the nerves of individuals who are afflicted with MS. Only the central nervous system, or nerves within the brain and spinal cord, are affected, but these damaged nerves can send scrambled messages to all parts of the body. Alarmingly, some nerves are so damaged that NO messages can be sent, making certain body parts unusable.

Doctors are currently trying to make connections to different reasons why some people develop this neurological illness and are considering genetic, environmental, or even possible viral links as contributing factors. Currently, researchers can trace patterns of increased cases of MS to individuals who live in cooler, more temperate climates, and have made a correlation between disease development and low levels of vitamin D, which can be lacking because of inadequate sun exposure. Although there is no conclusive genetic link, siblings and particularly identical twins have the greatest chance of developing multiple sclerosis if another sibling already has the disease. Doctors are also investigating the possibility of people contracting MS if they suffered from a certain viral infection at a younger age. Finally, there is a known gender preference: women are more likely than men to develop multiple sclerosis. However, the disease has been known to affect men more severely.

What You Can Do During MS Awareness Week and All Year Long

The MS Awareness Week homepage pinpoints activities you can do to gain MS knowledge and raise funds for research and an eventual cure:

• Read other people's stories. Patients, caregivers, loved ones, and concerned individuals tell about their situations and what they do to help the cause.
• Start moving. Participate in the MS Walk, the MS Bike event, or both. You can register as an individual or as part of a team. Many businesses and corporations enter as teams to raise large amounts of money for research: check and see if your workplace does. You don't have to be a seasoned athlete in order to make a difference. There are many clerical and supportive volunteer positions at these events.
• Learn more about programs and services for yourself or your loved ones.
• Reach out and connect with others who have MS.

For further information about MS, visit the Multiple Sclerosis SUITE.

The copyright of the article MS Awareness Week in Women’s Health is owned by Jennifer Gerics. Permission to republish MS Awareness Week in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Get Rid of MS