Equipping People To Make Sense Of What They Are Told
Hughes Syndrome - People with the disease have abnormally thick or sticky blood that
is prone to clotting. The blood often lacks oxygen, which prevents the brain from
functioning properly. It is not known why the disease develops but illness or surgery
are possible triggers. Early signs of this disease may be diagnosed as many different
disorders before being correctly diagnosed because of it's ability to mimic the symptoms
of a number of other well known and documented diseases.
Leaky Gut - Another name for what should be referred to as ‘Increased Intestinal
Permeability’. It is not a disease or illness itself but a very unpleasant disorder
which is quite wide spread in many diseases and may cause all kinds of problems.
Lymphoedema - A condition of fluid and tissue swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic
system. Tissues with lymphoedema are at risk of infection. Lymphoedema not to be
confused with edema arising from venous insufficiency. In MS if you have mobility
or overweight problems there is a possibility that you may develop lymphoedema.
Osteoporosis - It has long been known that patients with long standing multiple sclerosis
are at increased risk of low bone mass (osteopenia, and osteoporosis). Any person
who has experienced decreased mobility - particularly a loss of weight-bearing activity
(as would be true of a person using a wheelchair or staying in bed most of the time)
should be made aware of the risk of osteoporosis, also prolonged or excessive use
of corticosteroids (steroids) can lead to loss of bone density.
Associated Problems with MS -Studies have suggested that disorders such as ‘Hashimoto’s
thyroiditis, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma may be associated
with multiple sclerosis and that different autoimmune disorders may share genetic
tendencies that influence or increase risk.
People with multiple sclerosis may be vulnerable to a number of other autoimmune
conditions, including thyroid abnormalities.
As with many autoimmune diseases a person with MS may encounter underlying health
problems such as:
Adrenal Insufficiency - Adrenal fatigue - A term applied to a collection of nonspecific
symptoms, such as body aches, fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances and digestive
problems.
Candida - A form of yeast, and a causal agent of opportunistic oral and genital infections
in humans. Systemic fungal infections have emerged as important causes of morbidity
and mortality amongst people with compromised immune systems (autoimmune diseases).
Coeliac Disease - a common systemic disease related to a permanent intolerance to
gluten and is often associated with different autoimmune and neurological diseases.
Its mean prevalence in the general population is 1-2% worldwide. A study published
7th March 2011 found an increased prevalence of coeliac disease in 8 of the 72 MS
patients (11.1%) and also in their first-degree relatives (23/126 [32%]).
