Welcome, Medicare Nation! It’s March, which is a huge month for awareness. Last week’s show highlighted colon cancer awareness, this week we are discussing MS awareness, and next week’s topic is chronic kidney disease. 

What is MS?

• MS is multiple sclerosis, which is a disabling disease of the central nervous system. It occurs when there is a disruption of the electrical circuit between the brain and the rest of the body. Nerves have a myelin sheath that covers and protects them; when the sheath is damaged and the electrical impulses are disrupted, then multiple sclerosis is the diagnosis.

What are signs and symptoms of MS?

• Fatigue that interferes with your ability to function
• Numbness/tingling in face and extremities
• Muscle weakness
• Dizziness/vertigo
• Pain, significant and chronic
• Vision problems

How is MS diagnosed?

• It’s a difficult disorder to diagnose, and can be found using blood tests and MRI’s. Doctors can test the electrical impulses in the brain, and they also pay attention to family history. Medicare covers these diagnostic tests to some degree, so CHECK YOUR PLAN! See your doctor if you experience any symptoms. Over 400,000 people in the US have been diagnosed, with more than 200 newly diagnosed cases each week! Most patients are between 20-50 years old. There is no cure for MS; all doctors can do is to try to slow the progression of the disease.

For more information, visit www.nationalmssociety.org or call 1-800-344-4867 to contact the National MS Society.

 

Do you have questions or feedback? I’d love to hear it!

 

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Find out more information about Medicare on Diane Daniel’s website!

 www.CallSamm.com