1 – Multiple sclerosis only affects the elderly
FALSE. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is not at all a disease of old age since the first symptoms appear on average at the age of 30. In France, approximately 80,000 people suffer from multiple sclerosis, i.e. approximately 1 person in 1000.
According to’Insermthis autoimmune pathology (which occurs when the immune system begins to attack the cells responsible for synthesizing myelin, this “protective sheath” of the central nervous system) affects 3 women for 1 man.
2 – Multiple sclerosis prevents normal life
FALSE. If multiple sclerosis is indeed the first cause of severe non-traumatic disability in thirty-somethings, the pathology does not evolve (fortunately) systematically towards a permanent disability. Thus, according to experts, in 30% of patients, MS adopts a benign form which causes only a slight (or no) disability even after 20 years of evolution.
Symptoms of MS vary from patient to patient and depend on the area of the brain (or spinal cord) affected by the lesions. In particular, we can observe: visual symptoms (double vision, decreased visual acuity, etc.), balance disorders (dizziness, etc.), motor disorders (muscular weakness: in 50% of walking is difficult or impossible after 20 years of illness), urinary or sexual disorders…
3 – Vaccines are responsible for multiple sclerosis
FALSE. Contrary to a tenacious received idea, the vaccine against hepatitis B and the vaccine against the papillomavirus are not responsible for multiple sclerosis. For the vaccine against hepatitis B, numerous studies were carried out between 1996 and 2004, including at theInserm : almost all of them concluded that there was no association between the anti-HBV vaccine and multiple sclerosis.
For the HPV vaccine, theNational Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) conducted a study in 2015 on 2 million young girls: result, the rate of hospitalization for autoimmune diseases (such as MS) is the same in vaccinated and unvaccinated young girls.
At present, the causes of MS are not exactly known. If we know that multiple sclerosis is not a hereditary pathology, experts believe that there is a genetic vulnerability in some people – 29 genes would thus be involved in the disease. Other hypotheses are however being studied: multiple sclerosis could thus be linked to the climate or even to a bacterial infection. The research is progressing!
A digital event not to be missed: the Maison de la MS invites itself to your home on June 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This annual meeting has become essential for many patients with multiple sclerosis. The Maison de la MS offers them this year to meet during a day of virtual exchanges and connected workshops. A 100% digital program led by neurologists and health professionals specializing in multiple sclerosis from all over France.
The opportunity to ask medical questions, but also to benefit from advice to better live your pathology on a daily basis, thanks to sophrologists and psychologists for stress management or even an occupational therapist to optimize your interior. Also with the testimony of Cécile Hernandez, Snowboard world champion, and ambassador of the Cleo app. Patients, families, relatives and health professionals will be able to connect and participate on the website lamaisondelasep.fr.
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