Queensland turns red for MS
More than 3,700 Queenslanders are estimated to have multiple sclerosis, or MS, which is the most common disease of the central nervous system among young adults.
Buildings and bridges in Brisbane, Cairns, Toowoomba and Townsville are lit up red this month in support of research to improve treatments and prevent the chronic illness—with the goal of finding a cure.
MS usually affects people—particularly women—in the prime of their lives, with the average age of diagnosis being just 30 years. More than 21,000 Australians live with MS, and the number of reported cases is increasing by 4% each year.
Margie St.Godard, a Queensland mum with MS, has shared her story about giving and receiving support from her son, Lachlan, and her husband, Rene, with Disability Online. You can also watch personal stories of Australians living with MS.
What is MS?
MS occurs when myelin—protective material around nerve fibres in the body—becomes damaged, causing random patches or scars.
These scars usually disrupt the messages that are sent through the central nervous system, affecting the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord at different locations.
MS is unpredictable and progressive, with no two people experiencing the same symptoms. Common symptoms include:
- blurred or double vision
- numbness or pins and needles
- weakness in the arms or legs
- loss of balance
- loss of mobility
- hand tremors
- poor coordination
- severe fatigue.
Although rarely fatal, MS can cause paralysis and blindness. It can also limit a person from being as productive as they may like. For example, many people with MS:
- rely on aids such as a walking cane, crutches or a wheelchair for balance, to help them with weakness or to conserve energy, even if they are able to walk
-
become unemployed within 10 years of their diagnosis. More than 80% of Australians with MS share this experience—usually while they are still of working age.
Who is likely to develop MS?
People are more likely to develop MS if they:
- are young adults. MS onset occurs most commonly between 20 and 40 years.
- are female. In Queensland, women are 7 times as likely as men to develop MS. In Australia, women account for 75% of all cases.
- have Northern European heritage. People with Northern European—or Caucasian—heritage account for 98% of all cases.
- live in countries further away from the equator. Australian research shows MS prevalence increases with distance from the equator.
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have a relative with MS. Up to 20% of people with MS have a relative with the disease.
Diagnosis and treatment
MS is difficult to diagnose, as many symptoms can be caused by other conditions. There is no single test for MS, but specialised tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can help confirm a diagnosis. If you think you may have MS, you can get help from:
- your doctor
- a neurologist
- health care professionals such as nurses and social workers.
There is no cure for MS, but treatments are available to ease symptoms and help people with MS improve their quality of life. Medications have also been modestly effective in reducing the frequency of relapse and the progression of some types of the disease.
More information
More information is available from MS Australia - Qld, MS Research Australia and the Health Insite website. You can also call the MS Infoline on 1800 177 591.
