World Multiple Sclerosis Day: Overcoming Social Barriers
Since 2009, May 30 has been commemorated as World Multiple Sclerosis Day. This was an original initiative of the International Multiple Sclerosis Federation.
For each day a motto is established that guides reflection and activities accordingly. The proportion of adults affected by multiple sclerosis is not less, and its appearance at an early age is a growing concern in the medical community.
Patients with the pathology tend to social isolation due to the imposition of symptoms. It is difficult for them to contact other people and they spend more and more time inside their homes, disconnecting.
World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2020 proposes to overcome social barriers by increasing connections between the community and people with the disease. For this, the following is suggested:
- Spread outreach news about multiple sclerosis
- Establish support networks for patients, with family, neighbors and friends, focused on facilitating activities of daily life
- Take advantage of the virtual existence of social networks to maintain contact between patients and their groups of belonging
What is multiple sclerosis?
On this World Multiple Sclerosis Day, it is worth remembering what type of pathology we are facing, since its evolution is very aggressive. At its core, it is a disabling neurological disease.
Basically, multiple sclerosis is one of the many autoimmune disorders that humans can suffer from. Through antibodies that attack the body itself, the myelin covering of the nerves is destroyed and disappears in the form of plaques.
Myelin is a fatty covering that facilitates the transmission of nerve impulses between neurons. Its absence delays connectivity and manifests symptoms commensurate with the area that suffers from autoimmunity.
At first, it is common for patients with multiple sclerosis to start with a lack of strength in the lower limbs and strange sensations in the body. They may feel numb, tingly, or like a surge of electricity.
Then the tremors and incoordination become apparent. Walking is difficult with a notable loss of balance that, if accompanied by vision disorders, accelerates the seclusion process of the person, who can no longer go out to play sports, shop or visit friends.