Latest news with #MS
The Hindu
21 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
On World MS Day, Chennai Chapter of MSSI raises awareness
To mark the World Multiple Sclerosis Day which falls on May 30 every year, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI ) Chennai Chapter held an awareness campaign on Friday at Anna Nagar Tower Park. 'The theme of World MS Day 2025 is 'My MS Diagnosis' which puts an emphasis on how to diagnose MS, a neuro degenerative disorder. The program is held at the park to create awareness among the general public about Multiple Sclerosis and how quickly they should consult a neurologist,' says Ann Gonsalvez, founder member of the Chennai chapter. 'To de-stress persons living with MS, we have yoga therapy, art therapy, fatigue management, and more - which is also why we have brought music today,' she said. 'The Multiple Sclerosis mainly affects people aged 18-40, and it tends to affect women more. But as a society, there is only limited awareness about it. If it is detected early and treated, people affected can live just like anyone else,' said Dr Venkatraman Karthikeayan, Consultant Neurologist at Kauvery Hospital. 'The MSSI Chennai Chapter hopes to continue improving the quality of life for those affected. There are many people who are unaware of the treatments available for MS, which is why campaigns like these are important,' said Archana Ganesan, a member with MS condition. Around 40 members of MSSI and individuals with MS condition attended the event.
New York Post
a day ago
- Health
- New York Post
Weed increases risk of major health issue — even without smoking: ‘Boy does it screw up the public health messaging'
Your best bud might be breaking your heart. Though many Americans believe daily marijuana use is safer than tobacco, a new study suggests it could increase your risk for some serious cardiovascular issues. Worse yet, gummies, teas and tinctures appear to offer no advantage over lighting up when it comes to one critical factor for your heart health. Advertisement 4 More Americans are using marijuana regularly than ever before. bukhta79 – High stakes for your heart The study from researchers at the University of California, San Francisco involved 55 outwardly healthy Bay Area residents who regularly smoked marijuana or consumed THC edibles. None of the participants used nicotine, and all of them consumed cannabis at least three times a week for a year or more. Smokers averaged 10 years of chronic use; edible users, five. Advertisement Researchers found blood vessel function in regular cannabis users was about half that of non-users — putting them on par with tobacco smokers. 'We found that vascular function was reduced by 42% in marijuana smokers and by 56% in THC-edible users compared to nonusers,' Dr. Leila Mohammadi, lead author of the study, told CNN. That surprised co-author Dr. Matthew Springer. Groups like the American Heart Association had previously suggested edibles might be less harmful to the heart. 'When I first saw the THC result, I said to Leila, 'Scientifically, this THC result is really interesting but boy does it screw up the public health messaging,'' he told SFGATE. Advertisement 4 Studies suggest that smoked marijuana is the most commonly used form. Impact Photography – Notably, researchers found that only marijuana smokers had harmful changes in their blood serum that negatively affected their endothelial cells. These cells line the inside of blood and lymph vessels and help regulate blood flow. Advertisement Springer said this could mean smoking marijuana delivers a 'double whammy' of damage to heart health. The researchers emphasized that while their study indicates a strong association between chronic marijuana or THC use and vascular damage, it doesn't definitively prove the link. Still, it adds to mounting evidence that chronic cannabis use could be bad news for the heart. A 2024 study found daily marijuana use increase heart attack risk by 25% and stroke risk by 42%. 4 Chronic marijuana use may increase your risk of cardiovascular problems. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – 'The public (and the medical field) should view cannabis and THC itself as products that are not without health risks,' Springer told Newsweek. 'THC seems to have some beneficial effects also, so there needs to be a balance between risk and benefit that is best decided with both eyes open,' he added. Research suggests that marijuana has the potential to ease chronic pain and reduce muscle spasms and stiffness linked to MS. Advertisement Cannabis products have also been shown to boost appetite in HIV/AIDS and cancer patients, and combat chemo-related nausea. Other potential benefits include easing stress, alleviating PTSD symptoms and aiding sleep in some people. 4 Research suggests that marijuana may help alleviate symptoms linked to several chronic health conditions. contentdealer – Springer and Mohammadi are calling for longer, larger studies to pun down exactly how marijuana and THC affect heart health — and to find out if there's a safe level of use. Advertisement The study comes as more Americans are using marijuana regularly than ever before. While alcohol is still more widely used overall, heavy marijuana use beat out heavy drinking for the first time in 2022, according to Carnegie Mellon researchers. That year, about 17.7 million Americans used cannabis daily or near-daily — compared to 14.7 million who drank that often. It marks a staggering 15-fold jump in chronic cannabis use since 1992. Advertisement Marijuana remains illegal federally, but 38 states and DC have legalized it for medical use. Of those, 24 states and DC have also cleared the way for adults 21 and over to use it recreationally. The recent legalization efforts have sparked a boom in cannabis use. In 2024, 47% of Americans said they'd tried marijuana at least once — up from 34% in 1999, according to Gallup polling.
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Health
- Al Etihad
NMSS, Erth Zayed Philanthropies sign Dh25 million grant agreement to mark "World MS Day"
30 May 2025 18:10 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) has signed a strategic agreement with Erth Zayed Philanthropies to advance its national multiple sclerosis (MS) agenda. As part of this agreement, Erth Zayed Philanthropies will contribute Dh 25 million to support NMSS in delivering its core priorities, including advancing UAE's first National Coalition for MS, a multi-sector platform to improve care, research, and inclusion across the agreement was signed by Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Vice Chair of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and a representative from Erth Zayed Philanthropies during a formal ceremony in Abu announcement of this strategic agreement coincides with World MS Day, marked this year under the global theme 'My MS Diagnosis: Navigating MS Together,' which highlights the importance of early detection and community year, Erth Zayed Philanthropies joins the National Coalition for MS as a founding partner, marking a pivotal step in the UAE's efforts to advance equitable MS care and inclusion. This strategic partnership reinforces the UAE's commitment to enhancing MS care, accelerating research, and advancing equity, catalyzing broader multi-sector engagement to shape a more inclusive and transformative national response. Coalition members include Sanofi, Axios International, PureHealth and Manzil Healthcare Services, each playing a vital role in advancing care, awareness, and system-wide Fatima Al Kaabi, Vice Chair of NMSS, said: 'The establishment of the National Coalition for MS is a defining step in our mission to drive equitable access to MS care." She added, "This work is inspired by the legacy of our late Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose vision was rooted in dignity, inclusion, and access to quality care for all. It is sustained by the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose commitment continues to shape the future of health and reinforce the UAE's position as a global leader in innovative, people-centred healthcare."She stated: 'On World MS Day, we are proud to join the international community, not only in raising awareness, but in taking meaningful, coordinated action that has the potential to transform outcomes for people living with MS. Today, we are laying the foundations for long-term impact rooted in compassion, powered by collaboration, and guided by a shared responsibility to ensure that every member of our community has the opportunity to live a full and dignified life.'The grant from Erth Zayed Philanthropies aims to directly support NMSS in delivering on its key priorities and enabling the National Coalition for MS to address the most pressing challenges faced by people living with MS in the the National Coalition for MS was convened by NMSS to bring together government entities, healthcare providers, insurance and pharmaceutical companies, and educational institutions under a unified national agenda for MS. The Coalition's priorities for 2025-2026 are focused on improving access to patient support resources, promoting inclusive workplace policies, strengthening the skills of healthcare professionals through specialised training, increasing public understanding of MS to enable earlier diagnosis, and ensuring long-term sustainability through coordinated fundraising and investment in priorities form an action-oriented framework designed to mobilise resources, strengthen inclusion across sectors, and ensure that the UAE is a world leader in MS care. As the Coalition moves into its implementation phase, its priorities will continue to be shaped by the voices and experiences of the MS community, ensuring that their needs, priorities, and aspirations drive every step of the in shared responsibility and measurable impact, the Coalition's members are onboarded to lead or contribute to key initiatives, with defined commitments that span one to two years depending on the scope of Coalition's priorities reflect a commitment to evidence-based solutions. Since its establishment, NMSS has invested Dh 6.5 million in MS research, with the next NMSS research grant cycle set to launch on June 23, 2025. As the Coalition transitions into its implementation phase, NMSS continues to call on stakeholders across sectors, from policymakers and healthcare institutions to academic bodies and donors, to join this pivotal movement. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
NHS alert over 'lifelong' issue affecting the brain and spine
Around 150,000 people are living with the condition in the UK, while a further 7,100 are newly diagnosed each year The NHS has highlighted the possible symptoms of an incurable health issue that dramatically impacts the central nervous system. While it can affect anyone at any age, the condition is more common among people between 20 and 50 years old. Posting to X this morning, the health service said: "Today is #WorldMSDay. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong condition which can affect the brain and spinal cord. There are lots of possible symptoms of MS and everyone with the condition is affected differently." More than 150,000 people are living with MS in the UK, while almost 7,100 are newly diagnosed each year, according to the MS Society 's estimates. The condition arises when the immune system attacks the brain and nerves, though the exact triggers remain largely unknown. Possible symptoms of MS can include: Extreme tiredness/fatigue Memory and concentration issues Sexual problems, including a dry vagina or erection problems Blurred vision, eye pain and other sight issues Needing to pee more frequently or losing control over urination Feeling off balance, dizzy or clumsy Numbness or tingling in different parts of the body Muscle cramps, spasms and stiffness There are three main types of MS, and symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. For instance, the first primary type of MS, 'relapse-remitting', describes fluctuating symptoms with different degrees of severity over time. However, this often gradually develops into 'secondary progressive' MS, where symptoms become constant and also steadily worsen. Meanwhile, 'primary progressive' is a less common type of MS in which a person only experiences worsening symptoms from the onset, rather than having the initial 'relapsing-remitting' stage. READ MORE: Davina McCall says 'horrible' ordeal felt like 'Alzheimer's' after brain surgery If you suspect you have symptoms of MS, it's important to seek GP advice. There is no single tool to diagnose the condition, but a medical professional may conduct MRI scans, blood tests, and take spinal fluid samples to better understand your problem. NHS guidance explains: "There is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis (MS). But there are treatments that can slow the progression of MS and help ease symptoms. "The type of treatment will depend on the type of MS you have and your symptoms. You'll probably need different treatments over time. You'll be supported by different healthcare professionals. "This may include a specialist MS nurse, a neurologist (brain and nerve specialist), physiotherapist and occupational therapist." Despite this advice, anyone who suddenly experiences balance issues, weakness or numbness in one arm, or blurred vision is urged to call 999. These may be signs of a stroke - a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Health
- Al Etihad
Zayed Higher Organisation backs multiple sclerosis patients through ‘Support'
30 May 2025 11:39 ABU DHABI (WAM)Coinciding with World Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Day, observed annually on 30th May, the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination announced the launch of a pioneering initiative to support its employees living with this condition—classified as a physical step reflects the organisation's commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all People of Determination, including its own new initiative aims to provide specialised psychological and social support to affected employees, while also granting them additional benefits and ensuring a flexible work environment that accommodates their health needs. It also includes educational, and awareness programmes targeted at both affected employees and their colleagues, fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace the theme "Support," the organisation has launched a series of awareness films through its digital platforms this year. These films highlight the critical role of family, community, and the work environment in supporting individuals with MS. The campaign reflects Zayed Higher Organisation's holistic support model, which goes beyond medical care to include social and human organisation reaffirmed its continued dedication to serving all categories of People of Determination, stating, 'True support begins with recognising each individual's unique needs and striving to provide an empathetic, motivating environment—whether they are our service recipients or part of our institutional team.'Sidra Al Mansoori, Director of Services for People of Determination at the organisation, explained that MS primarily affects people aged 20 to 40 and is more common among women than men—making early awareness and support especially added, 'We place strong emphasis on psychological and social support programmes and intensify our awareness campaigns throughout May to engage all segments of society, fostering a culture of solidarity and empathy with those affected.'As part of its ongoing efforts, the organisation previously launched several awareness initiatives, including an update to the People of Determination ID card for individuals with MS by adding a dedicated colour representing the condition. It also introduced specially coloured parking permits in collaboration with the Integrated Transport Centre and Abu Dhabi Police, to better identify and assist those the organisation produced awareness films on the nature of the disease, its symptoms, and coping strategies, and organised virtual workshops and training sessions covering topics such as rehabilitation therapy, psychological support, healthy nutrition, art therapy, maternity care for patients, and workplace the partnership front, Zayed Higher Organisation continues its collaboration with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to deliver messages of support to registered patients and contribute to building a sustainable community support network. In its concluding message on this occasion, the organisation called on all members of society and institutions to be a lasting source of 'Support' for anyone facing health challenges, affirming that solidarity is the first step toward a compassionate, inclusive society.
