SHARES
Icebucket Challenge – Do you all remember that? Did you know why everyone took the Challenge? Well, Bill Gates started the very viral Icebucket Challenge to draw attention to a disease called the Motor Neurone Disease or MND which is also referred to, in some parts of the world, as ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Scierosis) or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Stephen Hawking is the most popular example of someone suffering from this disease.
What is MND?
MND is a disease where motor nerves start to degenerate or ‘die-off’. Motor nerves are our ‘electrical wiring’ and they bring signals from the brain and the spine to the muscles, telling the muscles what to do. In MND, these motor nerves are affected and therefore, the signals to the muscles cannot get through effectively causing weakness.
What is the cause of MND?
In most patients, the cause is not known but in a small percentage of patients, it is inherited.
What happens in MND?
With time, muscles become weaker and start to ‘shrink’. The muscles that typically get affected are:
- Upper limb muscles causing problems in lifting arms, gripping and holding things.
- Lower limb muscles causing dropped foot, difficulty walking and climbing stairs.
- Throat and tongue muscles causing swallowing and speech problems.
- Breathing muscles causing shortness of breath.
- Neck muscles causing difficulty in lifting head up.
Some people may experience a change in their mood making them more emotional.
What is unaffected in MND?
Usually, sensation such as taste, smell, touch, hot and cold are not affected. Bladder and bowel functions are also not affected.
How can we treat MND?
At the present time, there is no cure for MND. The following intervention can help manage symptoms, slow disease progression and improve survival.
- Riluzole – a drug to slow disease progression.
- Breathing support – machines such as non-invasive ventilators can help with relieving breathing difficulties and tiredness.
- Nutritional support – including modified diet and assisted feeding can improve survival.
- Multidisciplinary care – can improve survival.
For Family and Friends
If a family member or friend has been recently diagnosed with MND, you may be wondering where to turn to for information and support – MND Malaysia is a Non-Profit Organization registered under the Registrar of Society (Certificate no: PPM-009-14-24032014)
by Qian
Qian's interest in healthcare industry came about after her father was diagnosed with bladder cancer. This experience has led her to become a strong believer in empowering individuals to take charge of their own health. View all articles by Qian.
