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Did You Know?
 - MS is a Disease that affects the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and optic nerves).
- In MS, the insulation covering the nerves (called Myelin) is damaged.
- MS is not a contagious disease.
- The only individuals with a significant increased risk of getting ms due to genetic factors are identical twins.
- Symptoms of MS differ from person to person, depending on where the myelin is damaged.
- An exacerbation is a period when a person with MS experiences new or worsening symptoms.
- It is important to continue medication even when you feel fine because MS can still be active and changes may be occuring in the central nervous system.
- Treatments for MS are designed to reduce relapses, slow progression, and reduce disability.
- Most treatments for MS focus on treating symptoms.
- Interferons are naturally occuring proteins in the body that help to fight inflammation.
- Artificially produced interferons to treat MS include the medications Avonex, Betaseron and Rebif.
- Corticosteroids are sometimes used to treat relapses in MS.
- Side effects of steroids may include increased appetite and sleep problems.
- Women with MS and without MS experience similar pregnancy outcomes.
- Pregnancy doesn't appear to affect the long-term clinical course of MS.
- MS emotional changes may include depression and mood swings.
- A low-fat, high fiber diet can increase overall health.
- For some people, beta interferon treatments reduce MS lesion inflammation.
- Some steroid side effects are acne, gastric irritation, ulcers and mood swings.
- Spasticity is stiffness of the muscles or painful cramps.
- Exercise and stretching may improve spasticity in some people.
- Fatigue is one of the most common MS symptoms.
- Twice as many women as men develop MS.
- MS symptoms vary and are unpredictable from person to person.
- Bowel and bladder dysfunction is a common MS symptom.
- Power mobility maximizes access, maintains safety and conserves energy.
- Power wheelchairs can help with posture and reduce fatigue.
- Using a scooter or power wheelchair does not replace the need to exercise.
- MS disease progression affects mobility.
- Three out of four people with MS have spasticity.
- Muscle spasms and spasticity can be managed.
- Bladder dysfunction can be managed.
- Current MS treatments for acute attacks include corticosteroids and plasma exchange.
- When taking corticosteroids, people may need help with sleep.
- Constipation is the most frequently reported MS problem.
- Dietary fiber is beneficial in the management of constipation and diarrhea.
- Sexual dysfunction is a common MS symptom.
- MRI is used to diagnose MS and in monitoring disease activity.
- MRI is the most sensitive way of imaging MS lesions.
- The McDonald Criteria is used to diagnose MS.
- McDonald MS Diagnosing Criteria requires there to be 2 attacks in time and at 2 locations.
- MS fatigue is also present during inactivity.
- MS fatigue management includes exercise, energy management strategies and cooling therapies.
- Canes, wheelchairs or positioning aids can help with MS fatigue.
- Kurtze Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) measures MS disability status.
- Using an intrathecal bacoflen pump can reduce spasticity for some people.
- EDSS is used as a valid tool to clinically measure and evaluate MS functioning.
- The VA offers Home Improvement Structural Assistance (HISA) grants to all veterans.
- The VA offers a variety of Independent Living Services for veterans.
- Many MS service connected veterans may qualify for the Specially Adapted Housing Grant (SAHG).
- Wheelchair accessible vehicles, home modifications and in-home assistance is available for many veterans.
- The environment, genetics, and the combination of the two are factors associated with the onset of MS.
- There are MS treatments available to reduce frequency of relapses and the progression of symptoms over time.
- MS is more common in people from European backgrounds but does not exclude other groups.
- About 85% of MS is relasping-remitting.
- It is common for relasping-remitting MS to change to secondary progressive over 10 to 20 years.
- MS is thought to be an "immune-mediated" disease.
- MS treatments focus on controlling the immune system and managing the symptoms.
- DMT goals are to reduce frequency of relapses and slow disease progression.
- The drug therapy approach to manage MS symptoms is called disease modifying therapies (DMTs).
- MS symptoms can be managed in part with medication, physical therapy, and mobility devices.
- Scooters or power wheelchairs are also called power mobility devices (PMD).
- Power mobility devices can be very beneficial to reduce fatigue.
- The VA Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS)can provide resources on vehicle modifications.
- People with MS experience these common bowel problems: constipation, diarrhea, and fecal incontinence.
- Dietary fiber is important for bowel management.
- Demyelination in the CNS can interfere with nerve transmission for normal bowel function.
- Routine reflexes can aid in managing bowel function.
- Positioning aids help with bowel elimination.
- Occupational therapists help with mobility, dressing, bathing and eating.
- Occupational therapists help with home management, caregiving, and work activities.
- Occupational therapists help with social and recreational activities.
- Occupational therapists work with people to live active and productive lives.
- The VA National Veterans Wheelchair Games is the largest wheelchair sporting event in the world.
- VA Wheelchair Games focus on abilities not disabilities.
- Medications and rehabilitation therapies help to manage MS.
- Acute attacks are also called episodes, exacerbations and relapses.
- Relapses refer to new MS symptoms or worsening of existing symptoms.
- Corticosteroids can reduce inflammation and affect the body's immune response.
- The average person with untreated MS will experience about one attack each year.
- Interferons are proteins that are normally produced by the immune system.
- Interferon medications are used to slow the progression of MS.
- When choosing a mattress, it is important to consider the effects of that mattress on skin protection and heat intolerance.
- Due to sensation and movement problems, people with MS often require special mattresses to keep them from developing bed sores and other skin problems.
- If you qualify, the VA will purchase single-bed sized mattresses for home use.
- The NMSS Petition Drive to Increase Federal Funding for MS Research.
- The NMSS society honors Heidi Maloni a nurse practitioner with the MS Centers of Excellence, East.
- CDC encourages people to get the flu vaccination.
- VA gets top grades for providing good medical care.
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