Urban Moms With MS

TIPS TO BEAT THE HEAT!!!!!!!

2009-07-08T16:14:00.000-04:00

SUMMER TIME CAN BE HARD FOR SOME OF US WITH MS,SO HERE IS ONE TIP TO BEAT THE HEAT.......FILL A BOTTLE OR TRAVEL MUG WITH FRESH WATER, FREEZE IT,AND WHEN YOU ARE READY TO GO OUTFILL IT THE REST OF THE WAY WITH MORE FRESH WATER AND YOU WILL HAVE A NICE COLD DRINK WHEN EVER YOU NEED ONE.I DO IT ALL THE TIME AND IT HELPS ME ALOT.

OVERLOAD !!!!!

2009-07-08T16:13:00.000-04:00

SOMETIMES DOES YOUR FAMILY GIVE YOU A OVER LOAD ?EVERYONE COMES AT YOU WITH QUESTION AFTER QUESTION, THEY WANT YOU TO BE THE ONE WITH ANSWERS TO EVERYTHING.WE ALREADY CAN'T REMEMBER THINGS WE NEED TO REMEMBER, SO HOW CAN WE REMEMBER THEIR THINGS TO.WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IS TELL THEM TO BACK OFF!, TELL THEM HOW YOU FEEL,TELL THEM THAT THEY ARE GIVING YOU A OVER LOAD!!,IT MAY SOUND HARD TO THEM BUT THEY HAVE TO KNOW HOW YOU FEEL.

MRSBEE

2009-07-08T16:12:00.000-04:00

Have you or someone you know been recently diagnosed with MS?

If you are interested in speaking live with a neurologist and a person living successfully with MS, attending a teleconference in the convenience of your home may be right for you. These FREE live teleconferences can give you the opportunity to:Ask neurologists and people living with MS any questions you may haveListen to people about their experiences living with MSLearn about ways to manage your MSThese calls will take place in the evenings every first and third Tuesday of each month.First Tuesday Third Tuesday7PM Eastern Time 10PM Eastern Time6PM Central Time 9PM Central Time5PM Mountain Time 8PM Mountain Time4PM Pacific Time 7PM Pacific TimeTo join the call, dial 877-748-8211 ten minutes before the start time on the first or third Tuesday of the month. When asked for a code, please say "MS Teleconference".

Do I Have Multiple Sclerosis?

2009-07-08T16:11:00.000-04:00

Do I Have Multiple Sclerosis?

You may be extra tired. Your vision may be blurred. Or maybe you have trouble concentrating. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you could have multiple sclerosis, or it could be something else entirely. Some multiple sclerosis symptoms are similar to symptoms of other disorders of the central nervous system. Either way, it’s important to find out why something isn’t right. Talk to your doctor. If you do have multiple sclerosis, early treatment can make a big difference. Studies have shown that early multiple sclerosis treatment can slow the progression of the disease and may lead to a more successful treatment of MS.How Will Your Doctor Find Out if You Have Multiple Sclerosis?Unlike some other diseases, there is no single test for multiple sclerosis. Your doctor will first assess your symptoms, the physical problems you've noticed, and check for other symptoms you may not have noticed, such as changes in eye movements or subtle changes in speech patterns. If your doctor then suspects multiple sclerosis, he or she may order some other tests, such as an MRI scan or a spinal tap. See our Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis page to learn more about diagnosing and treating multiple sclerosis.Don't be afraid to seek help for your symptoms. There are treatments for multiple sclerosis. The sooner you get treated, the sooner you may be able to feel better.

What Causes Multiple Sclerosis?

2009-07-08T16:09:00.000-04:00

What Causes Multiple Sclerosis?

Despite a great deal of research, we still do not know what triggers multiple sclerosis (MS). Most experts believe there is no single cause of multiple sclerosis, but it is likely the disease is caused by a combination of factors, including:HeredityWe know multiple sclerosis is hereditary to a limited extent. Family members of someone with MS have a somewhat higher risk of developing the disease than someone who does not have a family member with multiple sclerosis. In addition, MS most commonly affects Caucasians.The Immune SystemThe immune system is designed to protect us from outside enemies, such as viruses or bacteria that cause illness. But, sometimes, the immune system attacks healthy body parts or tissues. Diseases in which this process happens are called autoimmune diseases. In multiple sclerosis, it is believed that the immune system attacks the myelin in the brain and spinal cord.Geography and ClimateMultiple sclerosis most commonly affects people in North America, Europe, and Australia. It strikes people more frequently in locations farther away from the equator. For example, in the U.S., the incidence of multiple sclerosis is much higher in northern states with temperate climates (seasonal changes) than in warmer southern states.VirusesA great deal of research has focused on the links between multiple sclerosis and viruses. As yet, there has been no reliable proof of any specific virus being responsible for MS. A likely possibility is that multiple sclerosis is the result of a response to several outside factors, such as viral infections, in a person who may be susceptible to multiple sclerosis due to heredity.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

2009-07-08T16:05:00.001-04:00

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

What is Multiple Sclerosis?Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive illness that affects the nerves in the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the central nervous system. MS is an autoimmune disease, which means the body’s immune system targets itself, attacking cells, tissues and organs. If you have multiple sclerosis, you’re not alone. MS affects over 400,000 people in the United States and may affect 2.5 million people worldwide. Multiple sclerosis affects 2-3 times as many women as men.Types of Multiple SclerosisWhile the multiple sclerosis symptoms and course of illness can vary from person to person, there are three forms of the disease—relapsing-remitting MS, secondary progressive MS, and primary progressive MS.Relapsing-remitting MS: This type shows clearly defined relapses with some amount of recovery in between. It affects about 80% of all people with MS.Secondary progressive MS: While technically a form of progressive MS, this type acts more like a relapsing form of MS in its early-to-mid stage, with relapses and remissions being quite common. But then a more continuous loss of physical and cognitive functions starts to take over, and relapses become less common. Fifty percent of people with relapsing-remitting MS will develop secondary progressive MS within 10 years of their initial diagnosis.Primary progressive MS: In this type of multiple sclerosis, there are no relapses, but over a period of years, there is gradual loss of physical and cognitive functions. This form of MS affects about 10% of all people with MS.Have you or someone you know been recently diagnosed with MS?