Claim OwnershipMultiple Sclerosis and Veterans (MS & Vets)
Subscribed: 9Played: 90
Subscribe
© Copyright Veterans Health Administration
Description
Nearly 1 million people in the United States are living with MS. This is more than double the original estimate from a few years ago and means answers for MS are now twice as important. The VA’s Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence (MSCoE) are dedicated to furthering the understanding of MS, its impact on Veterans, and effective treatments to help manage the disease and its symptoms. MS & Vets is a new podcast series from MSCoE and the VA’s Employee Education System that discusses important issues related to the health and quality of life for Veterans with MS. During every episode you’ll hear subject matter experts weigh in on MS issues and also talk about services the VA provides because every Veteran’s health really does matter.
34 Episodes
Reverse
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an excellent resource for people with MS. MRI studies provide a safe and non-invasive way to obtain detailed images of the brain and spinal cord, without any radiation exposure. Join Dr. Mitch Wallin to learn more about the importance of MRI in MS care.
Vision is very important in almost everything we do, including watching television, reading a book, driving, and many other activities. When MS disturbs vision, it can have a significant impact on quality of life. People with MS can have different kinds of vision problems. Join Dr. Kimberly Winges to learn about vision dysfunction in people with MS and how best to address those symptoms.
MS symptoms are variable and unpredictable. The duration and severity of symptoms may fluctuate over time. Most people do not have all the possible symptoms of MS, and no two people have the same combination or severity of symptoms. Join Dr. Andrew Romeo, MD to learn about the symptoms of MS, as well as some methods to manage them.
MS can affect the ability to perform activities of daily living. Driving is the most complex activity of daily living performed every day. Driving requires adequate vision, motor, memory, and thinking skills, and MS can affect all these areas. Join Patricia Niewoehner, OTR/L, CDRS to learn how MS can affect driving, what to look out for, and the adaptive equipment available to help keep you safe.
Approximately 40-65% of people with MS experience noticeable changes in cognitive functioning related to their MS. For some, these changes are fairly minor, while for others, the cognitive changes significantly disrupt their daily lives. Declining cognitive functioning is among the top concerns for those with MS because this can affect employment, relationships, driving, health management, and other important areas of daily life. Join Annette Askren, CScD, CCC-SLP to learn about this important topic.
All people with MS should discuss taking a disease modifying therapy (DMT) with their MS provider. When offered, most people with MS choose to take them. Fortunately, we now have several DMTs that slow the course of MS. These medications have all been proven to benefit people with MS in well-designed large studies. Because DMTs, like any medication, come with risks, people with MS must decide for themselves. Join Dr. Kayla Martin to better understand your DMT options.
The cause of MS is currently unknown. What we do know suggests that there isn’t one single reason why someone gets MS. Instead, there are probably a number of different reasons, or factors involved - both genetic and environmental. Join Eric Williamson, MD to learn about what is known about the causes and risks for MS.
Occupational therapy focuses on enabling people to do the things they want and need to do in their day-to-day lives. It helps people find meaning and purpose in their lives by enabling them to participate in valued activities related to self-care, household management, healthcare management, community engagement, work/school participation, and leisure engagement. Join Lauren Yacks, OTR/L, ATP to learn how occupational therapy may be able to help you.
Fatigue is a complex issue with no one-size-fits-all approach to solving it, but sometimes simple changes can have a big impact. For many, a combination of medications and other methods of treatment such as physical therapy, exercise, and diet changes can make a big difference. Join Anza Memon, MD to learn more about MS fatigue and the various methods to help manage this debilitating symptom.
Dedicating time, energy, and emotional commitment to another person can be fulfilling. For many, being a caregiver provides richness in life and an expression of love for the person who needs assistance. Yet, the demands of care giving are great and this can sometimes lead to fatigue, stress, and feelings of depression, what many refer to as caregiver burnout. Join Bethany Ferguson, LCSW to learn how to recognize and ideally avoid burnout in caregiving.
Pain is a common MS symptom that can occur at any time in the disease course. Studies show that more than half of people with MS have experienced pain associated with their MS at some time. Pain is important to understand because, if left untreated, it can affect relationships, mood, sleep, work, and the ability to have fun and generally enjoy life. Join Dr. Tamar Harel who will describe MS pain and the many ways to successfully manage pain.
The diagnosis of MS is complex. The symptoms and clinical signs of MS often come and go, and symptoms are not the same for every person. The diagnosis of MS in some people is quite quick, taking a few weeks, when the person has a very typical presentation. It may take months or even years, when a person’s presentation is less typical. Join Dr. Vicky Chen to learn more about the criteria used to diagnose MS.
Recent studies show that people with MS are slightly more likely to have a seizure or develop epilepsy than the general population. The more physical disability a person has from MS (as assessed using the EDSS disability scale for MS), the more likely they are to develop seizures. Also, the longer duration someone has MS, the more likely they are to develop seizures. Join Dr. Marissa Kellogg to learn about seizures and epilepsy.
Mindfulness has received a great deal of attention in health care. This upsurge in interest has been fueled by multiple studies showing that becoming more mindful (being more aware of what is happening in your life, thoughts, and emotions in the present moment) results in lower stress and a greater sense of wellbeing. Join Ms. Ekaterina Davis to learn about mindfulness and how to implement it into your life.
Spasticity is a common symptom affecting many people with neurological diseases, including those with MS. Although the stiffness associated with spasticity can sometimes be helpful when performing daily activities such as getting in and out of a wheelchair or walking, spasticity can also be a nuisance and even lead to serious health concerns. The good news is that there are a growing number of treatments available to help ease the burden of troublesome spasticity. Join Dr. Ileana Howard to learn more about spasticity and MS.
An exacerbation of MS, also known as a relapse or flare-up, is the occurrence of new symptoms or the worsening of old symptoms. The experience of an exacerbation is varied, they can be mild or severe enough to interfere with functions of daily living and they can last a few days up to several months. While not all people with MS experience relapses, most do. Join Dr. Yohance Allette to learn about exacerbations of MS, as well as what to do when you experience one.
Because MS can affect any part of the brain or spinal cord, it can cause different problems for each person. Many people with MS have poor balance, problems with walking, and are at risk for falling. Studies show that between 50-70% of people with MS have reported a fall within the last 2-6 months, while about 30% reported multiple falls. Join Dr. Michelle Cameron to learn about what causes falls and how to reduce your risk of falls.
Sleep plays an important role in your physical health and well-being. It supports healthy brain functioning, is involved in the healing and repair of your heart and blood vessels, regulates mood, reduces stress, and even helps your immune system defend your body against foreign or harmful substances. Yet, many people with MS say they sleep poorly at night and are fatigued in the daytime. Join Dr. Eilis Boudreau to discuss the most common sleep problems experienced by people with MS as well as ways to help you improve your sleep.
Studies have shown that diet change and nutrition are the most used non-conventional approaches for treating MS symptoms. Diet can make people with MS feel that they can take charge of their disease, and it’s been shown that establishing and maintaining a healthy body weight is associated with decreased risk for MS-related disability. Join Dr. Vijayshree Yadav to talk about the various diets associated with MS, and how eating right and staying healthy can help with your MS.
Age appears to be a strong predictor of MS disease activity. With increasing age, relapse frequency and new inflammatory MRI lesions decline, and the accumulation of neurological disability accelerates. Also, there is a relative lack of efficacy of disease modifying therapies in people with progressive MS. Join Dr. Olaf Stuve to discuss disease progression in MS and options for people with a progressive disease course.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States