March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that involves the central nervous system. The immune system attacks the protective covering around nerves, causing a disruption of communication between the brain and body. Among others, MS symptoms can commonly affect walking, vision, thinking, speaking, sensation, and memory. MS is unpredictable, and the cause is unknown.
Anyone can be diagnosed with MS at any time.
However, most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. Women outnumber men by a 2 to 1 ratio in being diagnosed with MS. There is no single test or procedure to diagnose MS. Rather, there is a three-step diagnostic criterion that neurologists or physicians use to diagnose MS. A person must have evidence of damage in two or more areas in the brain, spine, or optic nerve. Next, there must be evidence to support that this damage happened at different points in time. Finally, all other diagnostic possibilities must be ruled out.
MS doesn’t have a cure, but treatment helps many people achieve remission and relief from symptoms like fatigue and pain. Medication and physical therapy can reduce persistent symptoms and slow disease progression.
According to a study funded by the National MS Society, there are almost 1 million adults in the United States living with MS. However, many people don’t understand the complexity of MS since it is a very unpredictable disease.
Throughout March, you may see orange ribbons adorned with a butterfly symbol.
Orange is the official color for MS awareness, and the butterfly represents the shape commonly seen on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of a brain of a person with MS.
The symptoms of MS can make it difficult to work. Your insurer may deny your long-term disability claim if it believes your symptoms are not debilitating enough.
If you or someone you know is suffering from MS or any other illness, and you are being denied benefits by your insurer, please call Kantor & Kantor for a free consultation at 877-740-7576 or use our online contact form. We understand, and we can help.
