It’s not easy to help your loved one who has been diagnosed with MS as you don’t know all the subtleties.
MS is a terminal disease of the brain and spinal cord. In MS, the immune system attacks the sheath of the nerve fibers, and communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body emerge.
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, more than 2 million people around the world are affected by MS. Most of them are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. That means you probably know someone who already has multiple sclerosis.
Early symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis are:
- Fatigue
- Numbness in legs, arms or even face
- Difficulty walking
- Problems with vision like double vision or blurry vision
Below you can find 5 things you can do if your loved one has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis:
1. Remember that MS has a lot of uncertainties
Even though there are common symptoms of MS, the disease is sometimes unpredictable, and it affects everyone differently. Some may have dizziness, weakness, while others may suffer from vision loss and cognitive changes.
Accordingly, whatever you read about other people may not be the case with your loved one. Each case differs, so each of them needs to be treated differently.
2. Treat them the way you did before
You should know that people with MS try to continue their life without feeling any changes in their routine. You may think that you would be a burden for them if you talk about your problems, but that’s not right. They are eager to be in the role of social support and help you get rid of your problems.
3. Be flexible
Individuals with MS may have fatigue even after a good sleep. Fatigue can, of course, make your everyday activities more difficult to perform. So, cancelling some planned activities because of it should be okay for you.
People with MS have their good and bad days, too. Just be flexible with your planned activities and always have alternative versions. It’s okay to cancel plans or delay them.
4. Have more info about MS
Besides the visible symptoms like weakness or tremors, MS causes some invisible changes, too. Those changes could be a pain, tingling, dizziness, vision issues or emotional changes.
Don’t be afraid to ask your loved ones what they are feeling and what they want others to know about MS. Moreover, you can also gain more information about the disease from various internet sources and books.
There is no way you can feel what the person with MS is going through, but trying to know more about the disease will make a huge difference.
5. Offer your help
MS makes ordinary things like cooking, cleaning or walking a real struggle. So, it’s always good to offer your help in routine day-to-day activities.
This gesture will cause positive feelings even if your loved one doesn’t need that help yet. They will know that they have you next to them who is willing to care about them no matter what.
If you or your loved one need aid in fighting MS, our professionals are just a call away. We can help you from the time of diagnosis to hospice care.