Multiple Sclerosis
Symptoms | Implications for Sailing
Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is a disease affecting the central nervous system in the brain and spinal cord. It is the most common chronic neurological condition among young adults. MS has no standard pattern of symptoms. The type and severity of its symptoms depend on the parts of the central nervous system affected. MS can present as either a remitting or a progressive course.
The remitting course is characterised by attacks or exacerbations of symptoms. In the beginning, the average interval between attacks is two years. However, it may vary and some people can experience long remissions (even up to 20 years), while other can experience more frequent bouts. At least two-thirds of the people who have MS start off with the remitting course. Of those, about 60% later develop a slowly progressive course.
The progressive course, which is more common later in life, is characterised by the symptoms steadily becoming worse. In some cases, earlier bouts may have been too trivial to notice. In very rare cases, MS can present at any age as a severely progressive course from the outset.
Symptoms of MS vary greatly from person to person - from time to time in the same person. It should be noted that many people who have MS have an increase of symptoms during hot weather. Symptoms might include:
- Loss of co-ordination
- Extreme fatigue or unusual tired feeling
- Numbness or pins and needles
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Staggering or loss of balance
- Dragging of feet
- Eye trouble
- Speech difficulties
- Shaking of hands
- Because symptoms can vary so greatly it would be unwise to presume that each person with MS should be treated the same. Nevertheless all safety precautions should be practiced and as with all disabled people, ask them the best way to approach any situation.
- These sailors may be more prone to hypothermia and heat exhaustion.
- Reduced sensation in limbs may lead to injuries of the feet and therefore it is advisable to have feet covered while sailing.
