Multiple Sclerosis

The Condition
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults. For some people, MS is characterised by periods of relapse and remission while for others it has a progressive pattern. For everyone, it makes life unpredictable. MS is a life-long condition, but it is not terminal, and people with MS can expect to live as long as anyone else. Symptoms of MS include visual problems, muscle, bladder or bowel problems, pain, mobility, cognitive and emotional difficulties and fatigue

How common is MS?
MS is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults. The incidence of MS is higher in the northern hemisphere than the rest of the world. Women are nearly twice as likely as men to develop MS but usually people are diagnosed with MS between the ages of 20 years - 40 years

In the UK, about 100,000 people have MS = 0.164% of the UK population. Researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine used data from the General Practice Research Database (GPRD) to calculate this estimate. The GPRD is the world's largest database of anonymised patient data from primary care, & contains patient records from 6% of GP practices in the UK. It is commonly used by academics around the world to study diseases, including studies of the prevalence of particular conditions

With MS it is a well-known fact that prevalence increases the further north one goes in the country. On a local level, in Gateshead, in a 2007 Northumbria University report funded by the MS Society, the Primary Care Trust is quoted as estimating that 364 people in Gateshead had MS, as of September 2006. That would suggest a prevalence of 0.191% of the population of Gateshead diagnosed with MS, which if typical of throughout the region - other local anecdotal evidence certainly supports such an estimate - would equate to over 5,000 people diagnosed with MS in North East England and North Cumbria

Of course, the number of people affected by MS is far greater if family, friends & carers are included

Types of MS:

Benign MS is the mildest form, characterised by a small number of relapses followed by a complete recovery each time. There is no guarantee that it is ever gone for good and it is possible to have a relapse after many years

Relapsing remitting MS is the most common type. Relapses may last for days, weeks or months, and there may be new symptoms each time, or a recurrence of previous ones. After each relapse, people may recover completely, but many symptoms only improve without disappearing altogether

Secondary progressive MS shows a steady worsening of symptoms, with or without relapses

Primary progressive MS is the most severe form. Symptoms will get steadily worse with no distinct relapses, or remissions

What causes MS?
No single gene causes MS but it is possible that a combination of genes raise the level of susceptibility to MS. It is also possible that something in the environment such as viruses or bacteria may trigger a reaction that affects a person's immune system. There is a 2% risk of a child inheriting MS from a parent with the condition

Symptoms for MS vary in severity and affect people differently. People with MS need a variety of services and equipment to help them manage

Some experts believe that a common childhood infection in cooler countries may disturb the immune system or trigger an autoimmune response in some people, which develops into MS

Multiple Sclerosis Society
MS National Centre
372 Edgeware Road
London
NW2 6ND

Tel: 0808 800 8000
Email: helpline@mssociety.org.uk
Website: www.mssociety.org.uk

Service Development Officers;
North East and North Cumbria - Angela Stewart - 07827 281109 - astewart@mssociety.org.uk
Yorkshire and Humberside - Liz Whilde - 07899 967622 - lwhilde@mssociety.org.uk

The MS Society is the UK's largest charity for people affected by MS - a membership organisation but provide services to all. The Society funds MS research, runs therapy and respite care centres, provides financial assistance, education and training on MS. It produces numerous publications on MS and runs a free-phone specialist helpline

Across North East England, North Cumbria and North Yorkshire the MS Society has 20 branches all run entirely by volunteers who work together to provide information, advice and support, raise awareness, influence, and fundraise at a local level. Branch telephone numbers are listed below - fuller details are available on the Society's regional websites:

North of England - www.mssociety.org.uk/regions/north_of_england/index.html

Yorkshire and the Humber - www.mssociety.org.uk/regions/yorkshire_and_the_humber/index.html

Scottish Borders - www.mssocietyscotland.org.uk/about_us/branches/berwick_and_east.html

Branch Telephone Numbers

Allerdale 01900 823 878

Alnwick and district 01665 510 253

Berwick and Eastern Borders 0131 335 4082

Copeland (West Cumbria) 01946 691 123

Darlington and district 01325 847 282

Durham and district 0191 386 0006

East Cumbria 01228 791 342

Hambleton and Richmondshire 01677 426 005

Hexham and district01661 834 196

Newcastle and Gateshead 0191 267 0194

North Tyneside 0191 280 0553

Redcar and district 01642 482 599

Ryedale 01653 690 523

Scarborough 01723 870 245 or 01723 871 717

South East Northumberland 01670 858 939

South Tyneside 0191 427 9176

Stanhope and Weardale 01388 528 999

Sunderland and District 0191 540 9232

Teesside 01642 760 539

Multiple Sclerosis Trust
Spirella Building
Bridge Road
Letchworth
Hertfordshire
SG6 4ET

Tel: 01462 476700
Email: info@mstrust.org.uk
Website: www.mstrust.org.uk

The MS Trust provides information for anyone affected by multiple sclerosis, education programmes for health professionals and funding for practical research and campaigning for specialist multiple sclerosis services

MS Research and Relief Fund
Benmar House
Choppington Road
Stobhill
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2HX

Tel: 01670 505829
Email: info@ms-researchandrelief.org
Website: www.ms-researchandrelief.org

Offers practical advice, information and support - Grants fund to assist individuals or groups buy items or services

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The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre
7 Peartree Business Centre
Peartree Road
Stanway,
Colchester
Essex
CO3 0JN

Tel: 01206 505444
Fax: 01206 505449
Website: www.msrc.co.uk

The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC) provides information and advice on Multiple Sclerosis symptoms, treatments, research, news and MS resources to all those affected by MS. Its bi-monthly magazine 'New Pathways' is written for and by people affected by MS.