MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE FACTS

People who receive a diagnosis of any serious illness, an those close to them , are very likely to have feelings of shock, anger and despair. This is especially true when people who are fit, well and active, develop very early signs of Motor Neurone Disease such as a weakness in one hand.

The shock experienced when hearing the diagnosis frequently means that people do not remember very much of what their Neurologist has explained to them at the time of diagnosis.

The questions they most frequently ask, and the answers commonly given are:

What is Motor Neurone Disease?

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is the name given to a group of diseases in which the nerve cells (neurones) controlling the muscles that enable us to move around, speak, breathe and swallow fail to work normally.

With no nerves to activate them, muscles gradually weaken and waste. The patterns of weakness vary from person to person.

What are the symptoms?

Early symptoms are mild, and include stumbling due to weakness of the leg muscles, difficulty of holding objects due to weakness of hand muscles, slurring of speech or swallowing difficulties due to weakness of the tongue and throat muscles. The effect of MND varies enormously in respect of initial symptoms, rate and pattern of progression, and survival time after diagnosis.

How is it diagnosed?

The diagnosis of MND is often clinically difficult, and it sometimes is necessary to review patients for some time before the diagnosis becomes relatively certain. The family doctor may suspect the neurological problem, and confirmation of the diagnosis by a Neurologist is desirable.

The diagnosis can be assisted through a range of tests, including some which eliminate other conditions. Often an Electromyograph (EMG) is used, in which a needle is inserted into various muscles to measure their electrical activity. This can assist with both diagnosis and prognosis.

What remains unaffected?

In the majority of cases the intellect and memory are not affected, nor are the senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and sensation.

The bowels and bladder are not affected by the disease, although diet and exercise should be carefully monitored.

Is there a cure for MND?

At present there is no cure, but co-ordinated research is being carried out across the world and encouraging progress is being made. Costly and unproven therapies are sometimes recommended by well meaning people. Patients should seek professional advice before embarking on unproven therapies.

You may hear through TV or other media of new advances. You should always check with your own Doctor or caring team before you try these.