Between 2000 and 2020, the number of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in the UK doubled, rising from fewer than 100,000 to 190,000. Every year, the number of UK patients living with the condition rises by around six per cent, according to research.
For three years, Charlotte Wright's confusing symptoms were dismissed as nothing to worry about - until the terrifying truth was revealed. The student from Bolton was about to turn 19 when she began to experience strange health problems.
These ranged from brain fog to a loss of sensation in her face, as well as bouts of vertigo - severe dizzy spells. However, Charlotte's most distressing symptom was night-time seizures - where her muscles would stiffen, her limbs would jerk and she would lose consciousness. Influenced by her GP's explanation that her seizures were likely panic attacks brought on by anxiety, Charlotte was prescribed antidepressant tablets. But she was immediately sceptical of this diagnosis.
It was thanks to her mother, Diane, that she was eventually diagnosed with MS. DIANE, PUT CHARLOTTE'S SYMPTOMS INTO THE NHS SYMPTOMS CHECKER - AN ONLINE TOOL WHICH DIRECTED PATIENTS TO THE CORRECT HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. CONCERNINGLY, IT CONCLUDED THAT CHARLOTTE HAD SUFFERED A STROKE.
AT A&E, SCANS REVEALED SIGNS OF MS IN HER BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD, AND SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH RELAPSING - REMITTING MS. SEIZURES ARE NOT A FREQUENTLY-SEEN SYMPTOM OF MS, BUT THEY CAN OCCUR IN PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS - THEY ARE AN INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCE CAN VARY SIGNIFICANTLY. THE RISK OF DIAGNOSING MS WITHOUT EARLY THERAPY IS ON THE RISE. EARLIER DIAGNOSIS INVOLVES THE IDENTIFICATION OF EARLY SYMPTOMS SUCH AS VISION PROBLEMS, MUSCLE WEAKNESS, NUMBNESS, AND FATIGUE.
ADDITIONALLY, BLADDER PROBLEMS, AN ELECTRIC-SHOCK SENSATION DOWN THE SPINE OR LIMBS, OR DIZZY SPELLS MAY ALSO INDICATE THE DISEASE. THE RISK OF DIAGNOSING MS WITHOUT EARLY THERAPY IS ON THE RISE. EARLIER DIAGNOSIS INVOLVES THE IDENTIFICATION OF EARLY SYMPTOMS SUCH AS VISION PROBLEMS, MUSCLE WEAKNESS, NUMBNESS, AND FATIGUE. CHARLOTTE NOW RELIES ON A WHEELCHAIR AS SHE NO LONGER HAS FULL FUNCTION OF HER LEGS.
ORELZUMAB, A PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE, CAN SLOW THE PROGRESSION OF MS. HOWEVER, OVER THE YEARS, SHE HAS GROWN INCREASINGLY DISABLED
Multiple Sclerosis Rarest Disease GP Diagnosis Depression
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
3 Finnish divers arrive in the Maldives to remap the search for the bodies of 4 Italian diversThree Finnish divers have arrived in the Maldives to help search for the bodies of four Italian divers believed to be in an underwater cave.
Read more »
Finnish divers join the search for remains of 4 Italian divers in the MaldivesThe search for the remains of the four Italian divers was suspended Saturday, after a Maldivian military diver died.
Read more »
Bodies of 4 remaining divers located in Maldives, divers network saysDAN Europe said the 'highly delicate recovery' process would start over the next few days.
Read more »
Three Finnish divers attempt to retrieve bodies of two missing Italian divers near Maldives atoll caveThree Finnish divers on Tuesday will attempt to recover the bodies of two Italian divers who died in an atoll in the Maldives, five days after they were reported missing.
Read more »