Latest news with #MSIF
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2025: History, significance, theme and more
World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2025, observed on May 30, is a global initiative to raise awareness about multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic, often disabling neurological condition. Established by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) in 2009, this day unites the global MS community to share stories, advocate for change, and promote access to early diagnosis and care. World MS Day is coordinated by the MS International Federation in collaboration with its members and partners worldwide. What is multiple sclerosis? Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerve fibres, leading to communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. Symptoms can vary widely, including fatigue, mobility issues, and cognitive challenges, making early diagnosis and intervention crucial. Why is World MS Day observed on May 30? According to the World MS Day campaign website, the choice of May 30 as World MS Day holds symbolic significance. In 2009, mountaineer Lori Schneider became the first person with MS to summit Mount Everest. Her achievement exemplified the resilience and determination of those living with MS, inspiring the selection of this date to honour their strength and perseverance. What is the theme of World MS Day 2025? The theme for World MS Day 2025 continues the focus on diagnosis, under the campaign titled 'My MS Diagnosis' with the tagline ' Navigating MS Together.' This theme emphasises the importance of early and accurate diagnosis, highlighting the challenges individuals face in obtaining a timely diagnosis and the impact it has on their lives.
News18
7 days ago
- Health
- News18
World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2025: Symptoms And Causes You Must Be Aware Of
Last Updated: World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2025: MS affects millions globally and remains a chronic, often disabling disease surrounded by stigma and misunderstanding. World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2025: Observed globally on May 30 every year, World Multiple Sclerosis Day is a dedicated healthcare awareness event. Its primary goal is to highlight the significant financial, social, and cultural challenges faced by individuals affected by multiple sclerosis. Beyond raising awareness, the day emphasises the importance of fostering inclusion, acceptance, and comprehensive support for people living with this chronic neurological condition, encouraging communities and policymakers alike to promote understanding and improve the quality of life for those impacted. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is among the most common disorders impacting the central nervous system. According to the World MS Day website, the estimated number of people living with MS worldwide is approximately 2.9 million. MS is characterised as an inflammatory disease that causes demyelination. It affects a fatty substance called myelin, which normally surrounds and protects nerve fibres. The loss of myelin disrupts the nerves' ability to transmit electrical signals to and from the brain effectively. Common symptoms of MS include blurred or disoriented vision, tingling sensations in the limbs, tremors, memory difficulties, and persistent fatigue. World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2025: Theme The theme for World MS Day from 2024 to 2026 is focused on diagnosis. The campaign is titled My MS Diagnosis, with the tagline Navigating MS Together, emphasising shared support and understanding throughout the diagnosis journey. The My MS Diagnosis campaign promotes the importance of early and accurate diagnosis for all individuals living with multiple sclerosis. It sheds light on the worldwide obstacles faced in diagnosing MS, aiming to increase awareness by sharing authentic personal stories and relevant data from around the globe. Founded in 2009, the first World MS Day was initiated by the MS International Federation (MSIF), a distinctive global network comprising various MS organisations. This federation offers support to individuals affected by multiple sclerosis through a dedicated team of staff and volunteers around the world. The MSIF includes representatives from many countries, such as Greece, Argentina, Australia, the United States, India, Kenya, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, and Spain, reflecting its broad international reach. World MS Day holds great significance as it offers a vital platform to educate the public about multiple sclerosis and the challenges faced by those living with the condition. MS affects millions globally and remains a chronic, often disabling disease surrounded by stigma and misunderstanding. By observing World MS Day, we help break down these barriers, promote greater empathy, and encourage stronger support for individuals impacted by MS, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and compassionate society. World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2025: Symptoms Common symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis include: It's important to note that not everyone with MS will experience these symptoms, as the disease can vary from person to person. World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2025: Causes The exact cause of this neurological disorder remains unclear. Multiple sclerosis can affect individuals at any age, though it is most often diagnosed in people between 20 and 40 years old. Women are two to three times more likely than men to develop relapsing-remitting MS. A family history of multiple sclerosis increases the risk of developing the disease. Certain infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus—which causes infectious mononucleosis—have been linked to MS. Additionally, factors like low vitamin D levels, limited sunlight exposure, obesity, smoking, and the presence of certain autoimmune conditions (including thyroid disease, pernicious anaemia, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, or inflammatory bowel disease) may also elevate the risk of developing MS. World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2025: Diagnosis To diagnose multiple sclerosis, a thorough physical examination of the patient is conducted. Doctors often recommend blood tests and imaging studies, such as MRI scans, to help detect signs of the disease. Additionally, if needed, an evoked potential test may be performed to assess nerve function by measuring the electrical activity in the brain and spinal cord, providing further insight into how well the nerves are working. top videos View all World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2025: Treatment There are now advanced immunomodulator-based therapies available for patients with multiple sclerosis, many of which can be taken orally, making treatment more convenient. To help manage symptoms effectively, patients are also encouraged to maintain physical fitness and strength through regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle. First Published:
RTÉ News
19-05-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
'There's not enough help' - mother who lost sons to drug addiction
A Cork mother whose three sons were addicted to drugs and died - two of them just 15 days apart - is appealing to the Government to help families like hers. Christine Kavanagh's 30-year-old son Dillon died of a suspected overdose in January. Just 15 days earlier, her 36-year-old son Damien died in his apartment in Wales. Another son, Leon, died in 2021 of a heroin overdose. Dillon and Damien's deaths were so close together they held a double funeral. "We'd one open coffin, we'd one closed," Christine recalls. In her first television interview, Christine tells Upfront with Katie Hannon about the pain of losing her sons. "If I could take this pain away from another family, to [not] go through what we're going through," she said. "The pain that we have to carry seven days a week is unbelievable. "I can't grieve until I heal and it's very, very hard. "People will say to me, 'How are you coping?' It's the love of my other children that I have to face every day and my grandchildren". Christine said there needs to be more services offered to help people affected by addiction. "There's not enough help there for addiction and mental health," she said. "Mental health always comes with addiction." Christine told Upfront that policymakers need to listen to her and people like her. "I'm only one voice but I know there's probably thousands of voices that could be like me," she said. "I just feel there's nothing being done for people with addiction and mental health [issues]". 'My children might have been saved' Christine recalls the circumstances of her son Leon's death as "desperate". "He was found down the lane with heroin spoons, needles, everything," she said. Christine said she wants to see a supervised injection centre in Cork to help people like her sons – this would mean her sons can inject illegal substances under the supervision of trained health professionals. "They can go, they can inject, they can be supervised," Christine explained. "My two children might have been saved if they were inside in a centre." December 2024 saw the opening of Ireland's first medically supervised injection facility at Merchants Quay in Dublin on a pilot basis for a maximum period of 18 months. The Department of Health told Upfront: "The current Programme for Government commits to explore the establishment of mobile medically supervised injecting facilities (MSIF) in areas of need. "The MSIF will be evaluated over the 18-month pilot phase and the findings will inform decisions about the continuation of the Dublin facility and the development of new facilities in other regions," it added. Figures from the National Drug-Related Deaths Index show there were 354 drug poisoning deaths recorded in 2021, 409 reported in 2020 - which were recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic - and 371 in 2019. Christine said the drugs were a 'sickness' that took over her children. "I never blamed my children for being addicts," she said. "I know it's a sickness - I never, never blamed them. It's this heroin that robbed my children." Christine said no other family should have to go through what she did. "I have to keep going and I will keep going as long as I can," she said. "I feel guilty thinking could I have done more for them. But we know we've done everything we could for them. "I just feel something will have to be done because [drugs] are taking our children one by one," she added.
RTÉ News
19-05-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
'There's not enough help' - mother who lost three sons to drug addiction
A Cork mother whose three sons were addicted to drugs and died - two of them just 15 days apart - is appealing to the Government to help families like hers. Christine Kavanagh's 30-year-old son Dillon died of a suspected overdose in January. Just 15 days earlier, her 36-year-old son Damien died in his apartment in Wales. Another son, Leon, died in 2021 of a heroin overdose. Dillon and Damien's deaths were so close together they held a double funeral. "We'd one open coffin, we'd one closed," Christine recalls. In her first television interview, Christine tells Upfront with Katie Hannon about the pain of losing her sons. "If I could take this pain away from another family, to [not] go through what we're going through," she said. "The pain that we have to carry seven days a week is unbelievable. "I can't grieve until I heal and it's very, very hard. "People will say to me, 'How are you coping?' It's the love of my other children that I have to face every day and my grandchildren". Christine said there needs to be more services offered to help people affected by addiction. "There's not enough help there for addiction and mental health," she said. "Mental health always comes with addiction." Christine told Upfront that policymakers need to listen to her and people like her. "I'm only one voice but I know there's probably thousands of voices that could be like me," she said. "I just feel there's nothing being done for people with addiction and mental health [issues]". 'My children might have been saved' Christine recalls the circumstances of her son Leon's death as "desperate". "He was found down the lane with heroin spoons, needles, everything," she said. Christine said she wants to see a supervised injection centre in Cork to help people like her sons – this would mean her sons can inject illegal substances under the supervision of trained health professionals. "They can go, they can inject, they can be supervised," Christine explained. "My two children might have been saved if they were inside in a centre." December 2024 saw the opening of Ireland's first medically supervised injection facility at Merchants Quay in Dublin on a pilot basis for a maximum period of 18 months. The Department of Health told Upfront: "The current Programme for Government commits to explore the establishment of mobile medically supervised injecting facilities (MSIF) in areas of need. "The MSIF will be evaluated over the 18-month pilot phase and the findings will inform decisions about the continuation of the Dublin facility and the development of new facilities in other regions," it added. Figures from the National Drug-Related Deaths Index show there were 354 drug poisoning deaths recorded in 2021, 409 reported in 2020 - which were recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic - and 371 in 2019. Christine said the drugs were a 'sickness' that took over her children. "I never blamed my children for being addicts," she said. "I know it's a sickness - I never, never blamed them. It's this heroin that robbed my children." Christine said no other family should have to go through what she did. "I have to keep going and I will keep going as long as I can," she said. "I feel guilty thinking could I have done more for them. But we know we've done everything we could for them. "I just feel something will have to be done because [drugs] are taking our children one by one," she added.
