Multiple sclerosis (MS) can be a devastating diagnosis that affects about a million people in the United States. The good news is there’s been more progress in MS than in any other neurological disease.
MORE STORIES ON MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
In part because of an event happening this weekend; the Texas MS 150 bike race is the biggest fundraiser in the nation for the debilitating disease.
“The Texas MS 150 is the largest of all. By a lot, I mean, everybody’s chasing this ride and trying to make it as amazing as this ride. In terms of the number of people and the incredible outpouring of the community that comes out and really supports riders along the route. It’s an amazing opportunity for people to engage with the Society and there’s lots of different routes. People can participate at their level. And if you don’t ride, you can participate as a volunteer to feel the warmth and love that comes from everyone as they come out,” said Cyndi Zagieboylo, President and CEO National MS Society.
To get diagnosed with MS, someone first needs to see a neurologist who can order an MRI based on these symptoms, such as:
- Tingling
- Tightness
- Pain
- Cognitive problems
- Vision problems
- Bladder and bowel issues
The symptoms can progress and lead to disability. However, a diagnosis today faces much better odds of delaying or halting those chances than people who were diagnosed decades ago, according to the National MS Society.
“We have over 20 treatments now. Not for everybody, they don’t work for everybody. But there are options, and we can try things,” said Zagieboylo. “So, we’re working right now to try to provide the general public and medical professionals, especially like general practitioners and emergency room people with understanding those subtle symptoms. Because if ... we identify MS early, we can stop it in its tracks much better than if the opportunity is to accumulate disease.”
