Discover Ribcap's partnership with MS Society UK to support MS patients. Discover the types, symptoms and treatments of MS and see how Ribcap and MS Society UK are working together to strengthen and connect the MS community.
Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) brings daily challenges, but with the right support and resources, people can lead good, active lives. Ribcap, known for its innovative and stylish head protection, is proud to partner with the MS Society UK. MS Society Uk is a (non for profit) charity dedicated to helping MS patients.
What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects your brain and spinal cord. In MS, the sheath that protects your nerves (myelin) is damaged. This causes a range of symptoms such as blurred vision and difficulty moving, thinking and feeling.
MS is a chronic condition. There are treatments and specialists that can help you control the condition and symptoms.
Types of MS
There are 3 main types of MS:
- - Relapsing remitting MS
- - Secondary progressive MS
- - Primary progressive MS
MS is different in everyone. Two people with the same type of MS, may have different symptoms.
1. Relapsing remitting MS (RRMS)
Relapsing remitting MS is the most common form of MS. You experience distinct attacks of symptoms (relapses) followed by periods of partial or complete recovery (remission). Your disability does not get worse between attacks, but it may get worse after each attack than before. As time passes, your body finds it more difficult to repair the damage caused by each attack.
2. Secondary progressive MS (SPMS)
Secondary progressive is a stage of MS that follows relapsing remitting MS in many people. In SPMS, symptoms and limitations gradually increase, with no obvious attacks or remissions. Some people still experience relapses, but the general trend is a continued decline in neurological function.
Secondary progressive MS can be difficult to diagnose. To get this diagnosis, you must have had relapses in the past and your disability must have been deteriorating for at least six months now. The deterioration may not be related to a relapse you have had.
3. Primary progressive MS (PPMS)
Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) is characterized by a slow but steady deterioration of neurological function from the onset of the disease, with no obvious attacks or remissions. It is usually diagnosed in people in their 40s. About 10-15% of people with MS have PPMS. This form of MS differs from the others because there are no obvious relapses, and the progression of the disease can vary from rapid to slow.
MS Symptoms and Signs
There are many different MS symptoms, but not everyone will experience them all. Below is a list of the different symptoms:
- - Numbness and tingling
- - Problems with memory and thinking
- - Stiffness or spasms
- - Tremor: twitching of arms and hands during activities
- - Pain
- - Fatigue
- - Bladder and bowel problems
- - Loss of balance and dizziness
- - Vision problems
MS symptoms may vary over time. They can range from mild to severe. These symptoms result from the immune system mistakenly attacking nerves in the spinal cord or brain, which regulate various bodily functions. As a result, MS symptoms can manifest in multiple areas of the body, and the experience of MS varies from person to person.
MS treatments and therapies
A neurologist uses a combination of diagnostic tools and tests to diagnose MS and rule out other possible causes of symptoms.
- - Neurological examination
- - MRI scan
- - Lumbar puncture
- - Blood test
There is no cure for MS, but there are several possible treatments that help control the disease. MS treatment usually focuses on four areas: controlling seizures, slowing disease progression, managing symptoms, and supporting daily functioning.
There are several ways to manage MS. These include drug and supportive treatments, exercise, diet and other lifestyle changes. Some therapies and treatments for MS treat the symptoms. For example, you may need physical therapy to improve your mobility and strength. Other therapies, such as disease moderating therapies and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation treat MS itself.
It's best to seek advice about treating your multiple sclerosis from a specialist, such as a neurologist. An MS nurse can discuss MS treatment in general, but only an MS specialist can advise you and prescribe treatment. Which treatments and therapies may be helpful for you depends on your type of MS and the symptoms.
Our collaboration
Susan Crane is a former board member and volunteer for the MS Society's West Central London group. Just before her 40th birthday, she was diagnosed with MS. She had fallen on her head several times and sought head protection. That's how she ended up at Ribcap. Susan put us in touch with the MS Society UK. After several meetings, we decided to support this charity.
MS Society UK is a charity dedicated to helping people with MS. They work with the whole community, caring for and supporting each other. Their three long-term goals are to find effective treatments and prevent MS, help people live well with MS, connect people with each other and make sure their voices are heard.
All of these values align with Ribcap's mission: to change the lives of people with gait and balance disorders. We empower people to be themselves and break stigmas by enabling them to be active without fear of (head) injury! We support MS Society UK by giving every MS Society member a 10% discount and 10% of proceeds go to MS Society.
You can read Susan's story on our blog.
Written by Nico De Wilde