January 13, 2020 News by Mary Chapman MyHealthTeams, EMD Serono Launch Online Family Planning Resource Center for MS Patients To empower and support prospective mothers withĀ multiple sclerosis (MS), MyHealthTeams ā a free social network for people with chronic medical conditions ā and pharmaceutical EMD Serono have launched the onlineĀ Family Planning Resource Center. The new center operates within the network’s MyMSTeam, and is sponsored in…
March 6, 2018 Columns by Ed Tobias MS Can Be a Kids’ Disease, Too The age at which a person is diagnosed with MS is usually between 20 and 50, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. But it can be diagnosed in people much younger. In fact, of the estimated 400,000 people with MS in the United States, 8,000-10,000 are…
November 14, 2017 Columns by Ed Tobias Thanks to Caregivers Who Share Our MS Load The MS load we carry is heavy. Some of us, unfortunately, must carry it alone. But many of us are fortunate to have someone with whom we can share the weight. It’s National Family Caregivers Month and a new survey shows just how heavy that load can…
September 22, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD National MS Society Among Groups Promoting Sept. 22 as Falls Prevention Awareness Day Today is Falls Prevention Awareness Day, an annual campaign that occurs every Sept. 22 to encourage multiple sclerosis patients and others prone to falls to give a little extra thought on how to identify factors for falls. The event, coordinated by the National Council on Aging, will be the 10th in an annual series that has taken place since 2007. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is contributing to the event by presenting research into MS-related falls, as well as resources to identify risk factors of falling. Research shows that 50 to 70 percent of MS patients report falling at least once over a six-month period, with about 30 percent falling several times. Many people with MS also get injured when they fall, adding significantly to the burden of MS. Studies show that typical MS symptoms, such as poor gait and balance, or the loss of proprioception ā the perception of where body parts are in a space ā contribute to falls in MS, which typically occur while doing everyday activities at home. To better understand why people with MS fall, and how to best prevent it, current research focuses on better detection of falls. One approach is to use automatic fall detection devices, which patients can wear. A 2015 symposium on gait and balance in MS focused specifically on falls. The meeting concluded that although knowledge and prevention strategies have improved, much remains to be done. In that regard, the International MS Fall Prevention Research Network helps researchers collaborate on falls research. But neurological symptoms are not the only factors at play. Psychological issues make up another area in the risk spectrum, says the NMSS. Fear of falling or overconfidence both contribute, as does inactivity. Besides the guide, the NMSS has also developed the Free From Falls program, containing eight modules with webinars, downloadable educational material and video-guided exercises. These materials teach patients about biological, behavioral and environmental risk factors for falling, while also offering tips and strategies that may reduce the risk of falls.
August 24, 2017 Columns by Laura Kolaczkowski MS Advocacy Resources are Many Advocacy comes in many forms, and recently I wrote about what advocacy by individuals might look like. The other type of advocacy we have going for those of us with multiple sclerosis is the work done on our behalf by a large number of nonprofit organizations. Let…
July 11, 2017 News by Stacy Grieve, PhD Long-term Use of Ampyra Lowers Medical Costs, Hospital Visits for MS Patients, Study Finds A recent study has found that continued use of Ampyra (dalfampridine extended-release, sold in the U.S. by Acorda Therapeutics) by patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) lowers both inpatient hospital visits and overall healthcare costs. Results from the study, titled āInpatient Admissions and Costs Associated with Persistent…
June 26, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD MSAA Unveils New Print, Online Resources for Multiple Sclerosis Patients The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA)Ā has released three new resources for people withĀ multiple sclerosis (MS), available for free as both printed and online versions on MSAAās website. According to a press release, the three new resources are: A cover story in the latest edition of MSAAās…
June 21, 2017 Columns by Mike Knight How Pilates Changed My Life ā¦ and My MS, Part Four, Addendum: Home Gym For $100 Earlier this year, I visited a physical therapist Iād seen way back in my running days to devise a home workout routine that could help me address not only foot drop-related issues, but also a routine Iād actually do. One of the challenges I have with PT is doing…
May 26, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD #CMSC17 – Genentech Starts Site to Connect MS Patients and Caregivers with Resources GenentechĀ has rolled out a website to connect multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and caregivers with resources that can help them. The company unveiledĀ GatherMSĀ at the annual meeting of the Consortium for Multiple Sclerosis CentersĀ in New Orleans. The event started May 24 and will end May 27. Genentech created GatherMS…
February 13, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD LiveWiseMS: A New Online Resource for People Living with MS AĀ new online resource, LiveWiseMS.org, aims toĀ raise awareness about multiple sclerosis (MS) and provide patients and caregivers information about the disease’sĀ symptoms and conditions.Ā The platform, developed by the International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses (IOMSN), hopes toĀ promote healthy living and improve quality of life for MS patients and their families.
September 14, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD #ECTRIMS2016 – MS Care in Latin America Suffers from Lack of Healthcare Resources In a session titled “Challenges for care and research in MS outside Europe and North America” at the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) 2016 CongressĀ Sept. 14-17 in London, researchers from Latin America shared the obstaclesĀ of scientists and multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in the…
September 14, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD #ECTRIMS2016 – MS Care and Research Lagging in Middle East, Experts Say Multiple sclerosis (MS) care and research is lagging behind in the Middle East compared to countries in Europe and North America, according to research presented at the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) 2016 CongressĀ taking placeĀ in London through Sept. 17. Two presentations inĀ a session titled “…
June 13, 2016 News by Charles Moore MS Association of America Offering Free and Newly Updated Resources to Patients The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA), a national nonprofit organization based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, announcedĀ the availability of three newly published resources for the multiple sclerosis (MS) community. These publications are available for free in both print and online editions at mymsaa.org, according toĀ aĀ press release. MSAA’s…