Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - a many-faceted disease
A large number of people - in Austria and abroad - still believe that those with multiple sclerosis have to spend the rest of their lives as severely disabled persons in wheelchairs, and therefore experience a real shock when the doctor establishes this diagnosis in their case or in the case of a close relative. The fact that only 20 percent of patients with multiple sclerosis ever become dependent on a wheelchair is still widely unknown.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease. In other words, it will accompany the person for the entire duration of his/her life. However, a disease that accompanies a person throughout life is no life-limiting disease! The life expectancy of patients with MS is no shorter that that of patients with some types of cancers or cardiac insufficiency (heart failure).
However, even if multiple sclerosis (MS) progresses favourably it may affect several aspects of everyday life. Hence it is important for patients and their associates to learn to integrate the disease into their lives and ensure high quality of life. The first and foremost step is earliest possible identification and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).
