World MS Day: Raise Awareness for Multiple Sclerosis

• Written by Nidhi Goyal

  Reviewed by Munmi Sharma

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that around 1.8 million people are suffering from multiple sclerosis.

World Multiple Sclerosis Day, which is  held on May 30th, is an international awareness day for people with multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) initiated the celebration of the day in 2009 along with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in the United States of America. World MS Day is a day of global solidarity, collective action and hope. The day is dedicated to celebrating global unity, resilience and inspiring hope for a better tomorrow.

Also, orange is the official colour of Multiple sclerosis. An orange butterfly or orange ribbons represent the disease. The butterfly shape often appears in MRI scans of the brain in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Theme of World Multiple Sclerosis Day

The World Multiple Sclerosis Day theme for 2025 is “Diagnosis”, and the campaign is called “My Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis.” 

The 2025 campaign aims to timely and accurately diagnose everyone with multiple sclerosis. This is the reason behind its tagline, “Navigating Multiple Sclerosis Together.” The campaign focuses on barriers related to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis by giving healthcare professionals enhanced training in advanced clinical advancements. 

People are encouraged to share their true stories of fighting back so that others can become more aware of it. 

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system, the brain and the spinal cord, that can lead to disabilities. In multiple sclerosis, the immune system of our body becomes overactive. It mistakenly attacks the healthy myelin cells, the protective sheath covering nerve fibres, causing problems in the signals used for communication between our brain and the rest of our body. Over time, multiple sclerosis can permanently damage or cause deterioration to our nerve fibres, adversely affecting functions of our body like movement, vision and sensation.

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test shows demyelination or damage to myelin. This damaged section is referred to as a lesion, scar, or plaque.

What are the Types of Multiple Sclerosis?

MS is divided into four types, with different severities and progression patterns. People living with the condition should know about the type of Multiple Sclerosis. :

Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS)

When you suffer from the initial symptoms that may suggest multiple sclerosis but do not match the criteria for having multiple sclerosis, you are categorised as having a clinically isolated syndrome. The symptoms are caused by inflammation and damage to myelin, and in future may develop into multiple sclerosis.

Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)

This is the most common way for multiple sclerosis to begin; most people diagnosed with the disease are suffering from this type. In this type, multiple sclerosis causes relapses of old symptoms, attacks of new symptoms, and flare-ups. There are periods when the symptoms go into remission, go away, or stabilise.  

Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS)

Often, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) over some time progresses to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), where the accumulation of damage in the nerves causes other symptoms to get worse over time. You may still be experiencing some forms of relapses or flares. Still, you are not likely to experience any periods when the symptoms are in remission, stabilise or disappear.

Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS)

There are instances where the symptoms of multiple sclerosis begin gradually but worsen over time. There is no remission or periods of relapse, rather a steadily worsening situation from the beginning.

There are three rare varieties of multiple sclerosis:

• Tumefactive Multiple Sclerosis: This variant of multiple sclerosis is characterised by the formation of large patches of damaged myelin cells in your brain, similar in appearance to tumours. It is difficult to differentiate this form of multiple sclerosis from brain cancers. 
• Balo’s Concentric Sclerosis: This variant of multiple sclerosis is characterised by damaged tissues with a concentric shape appearing like a bull’s eye target on the MRI, hence, the name.
• Marburg Variant Multiple Sclerosis: It is very rare and aggressive in nature, progressing rapidly and leading to death if not treated.

Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

The symptoms vary from person to person and also fluctuate in intensity and severity from day to day. It is unlikely that you will have all these symptoms. Common symptoms of multiple sclerosis include the following:

• Changes to your vision, like double vision, vision loss or optic neuritis – inflammation of the optic nerve
• Muscle weakness normally affects only one side of your body or face, or below your waist
• Abnormal sensations or numbness again normally affecting only one side of your body or face, or below your waist
• Fatigue
• Clumsiness
• Difficulty regulating your bladder movements
• Dizziness
• Mood changes
• Difficulty with cognitive functions like thinking, concentration, judgement, memory and learning
• Loss of body balance and coordination
• Stiffness and spasms in muscles

Causes of Multiple Sclerosis

The exact causes of multiple sclerosis in people are still unknown. However, as per research carried out, the following factors may increase your risk of developing multiple sclerosis:

• Smoking
• Exposure to toxins such as pesticides or second-hand smoke
• Low vitamin D levels
• Exposure to certain types of contagious viruses
• Childhood obesity
• Genetic factors are where the risk of you getting multiple sclerosis increases if the disease runs in the family

Complications Caused by Multiple Sclerosis

In case your multiple sclerosis is worsening or is exhibiting progressive symptoms, you may face complications such as:

• Limited mobility – difficulty in walking independently without assistance
• Loss of control over your bladder and bowel
• Loss of memory
• Lack of sexual satisfaction caused by sexual dysfunction
• Anxiety and depression

How is Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosed?

Diagnosing multiple sclerosis with a single tool is challenging.  Your neurologist will conduct thorough neurological and physical tests as well as lab diagnostic tests. The doctor will review your symptoms and medical history including that of your family.  MRI tests of your brain and spinal cord, as well as blood tests and clinical analysis of your spinal cord, may be required. A definitive diagnosis of multiple sclerosis takes some time.

The neurologist usually prescribes the following tests:

• Blood and urine tests
• MRI of your brain and spinal cord
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) test
• Lumbar puncture to test the spinal fluid
• Evoked Potential (EP) test

Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis cannot be cured or reversed. The treatment looks to minimise further damage, manage your symptoms and reduce the complications. A treatment plan comprises:

• Medications
• Physical, speech or occupational therapy
• Counselling for mental health

Your symptoms may be managed depending on the way multiple sclerosis has affected you:

• Wearing prescription glasses or taking medicines for weakened vision
• Deep brain stimulation to treat the tremors caused by muscle spasms
• Use a cane, walker or wheelchair in case your mobility has been affected
• Medicines  like antiseizure or antispasmodic for your pain
• Medicines for cognitive symptoms
• Alternate therapy methods like yoga or acupuncture

Common types of medication to reduce relapses of multiple sclerosis or to prevent the development of new scars or lesions in the brain include:

Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs)

These reduce your relapses, slow down the progression of multiple sclerosis and prevent the formation of new lesions on your brain and spinal cord. Common ways of administering DMTs are:

• Injections into the skin – Beta interferon, ofatumumab or glatiramer acetate
• Intravenous infusions – Alemtuzumab, ublituximab, rituximab, ocrelizumab or natalizumab
• Oral medication – Cladribine, diroximel fumarate, dimethyl fumarate, monomethyl fumarate, siponimod, fingolimod, ponesimod, ozanimod or teriflunomide
• Stem cell transplant

Relapse Management Medications

In case of attacks with severe symptoms, your immune system is suppressed with corticosteroids like methylprednisolone to reduce the inflammation quickly. These medications increase the recovery speed after an attack and slow the damage to the myelin sheath. 

How to Reduce the Risk of Flare-ups of Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis? 

The most effective solution to reduce flare-ups is to follow disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).

You may also slow the progression of your disease by following a healthy lifestyle, by doing these:

• Eating proper and nutritious meals
• Sleeping as per the requirements of your body and age
• Regularly taking part in physical activities
• Keeping away from all forms of tobacco products

You would also need to consult a neuropsychologist to cope with the effects of this chronic condition on your memory and mood. 

When Should I Seek Medical Help?

You need to visit a neurologist in case you experience the following symptoms:

• Sensitive to heat beyond what is normal
• Unsteadiness or loss of body balance 
• Difficulties in remembering things
• Numbness or tingling in your legs or arms
• Sudden and abrupt changes in your vision
• Weakness in your legs and arms.

There is no denying that the expenses of treating Sclerosis can be hefty. However, you can cover those expenses and keep your savings intact with an adequate health insurance plan like Care Advantage. The policy comes with an extensive sum insured up to 6 crore, and diseases like Sclerosis are covered after a waiting period of 2 years. So, protect your finances by investing in comprehensive coverage from Care Health Insurance.  

Final Words!

While multiple sclerosis is a disruptive condition that may flare up suddenly, causing physical harm through injuries, it can also be managed with proper support from a healthcare professional and by adapting your lifestyle to the condition. Events like World Multiple Sclerosis Day are conducted to increase awareness of this condition and get society to support patients suffering from it.

>> Also Read: Health Insurance Covering Multiple Sclerosis

Disclaimers: All plan features, benefits, coverage and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus and policy documents carefully.