Multiple Sclerosis
Cerebral Palsy
Muscular Dystrophy
Spina Bifida

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive condition effecting the central nervous system in which scattered patches of myelin (the protective covering of nerve fibres) in the brain and spinal cord are destroyed. This causes symptoms ranging from numbness and tingling to paralysis.
The severity of multiple sclerosis varies markedly. It is characterized by multiple, patchy pattern of disabilities, variable in site and time, with unpredictable improvements. A patient may be severely disabled one week apparently normal the next.
The cause of multiple sclerosis remains unknown. It is thought to be an autoimmune disorder in which the body's defence system treats the myelin in the central nervous system as foreign. There seems to be a genetic factor and the ratio of women to men sufferers is three to two. A person paralysed by multiple sclerosis may have additional problems such as painful muscle spams, urinary tract infections, skin ulceration, and changes of mood between euphoria and depression.
The search for a cure is still in progress.
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Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a general term for disorders of movement and posture resulting from damage to a child's developing brain in later month of pregnancy, during birth, in the newborn period, or in early childhood. These disorders are nonprogressive. People with cerebral Palsy may suffer from spastic paralysis (stiffness and contraction of groups of muscles), involuntary movements or a loss of coordination and balance. The degree of disability is highly variable, ranging from slight clumsiness of hand movement and gait to complete immobility. Other nervous systems disorders, such as hearing defects or epileptic seizures, may be present. Affected children may have a learning disability, although some are of very high intelligence.
Cerebral Palsy may not be recognized until well into the baby's first year. Once the disability is apparent, most affected children fall into one of two groups - a spastic group, in which the muscles are permanently contracted and stiff, thus making movements very difficult, and a smaller athetoid group, characterized by involuntary writhing movements.
The features of most types of cerebral palsy change as the child gets older, often for better with patience and skilled treatment. People with only moderate disability have a nearly 'normal' live expectancy and lead a relatively independent life.
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Muscular Dystrophy

The Muscular Dystrophy is a group of muscle disorders, due to genetic defects, which lead to so slow but progressive degeneration of muscle fibres. They cause growing weakness and disability. Some types appear at birth, some in infancy, and some develop as late as the fifth or sixth decade. Different forms are classified according to the age at which the symptoms appear and the rate at which the disease progresses. All forms are inherited through a recessive, sex -linked gene. There is no effective treatment for muscular dystrophy. Affected people should remain active for as long as possible to keep the healthy muscles in good condition. Sufferers should not get overweight. Surgery to the heel tendons may assist walking in some cases. The long-term outlook depends on the type of muscular dystrophy.
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Spina Bifida

Spina Bifida is the most frequently occurring permanently disabling birth defect. Itresults from the failure of the spine to close properly during the first month of pregnancy. It can occur anywhere on the spine but is most common on the lower back. In severe cases, the spinal cord protrudes through the back and may be covered by skin or a thin membrane. The severity of the condition depends on how much nerve tissue is exposed. Surgery to close a newborn's back is generally performed within 24 hours after birth to minimize the risk of infection and to preserve existing function in the spinal cord.

The cause of spina bifida remains unknown, although vitamin deficiency seems to be one of the main factors involved. Because of the paralysis resulting from the damage to the spinal cord, people born with spina bifida may need surgeries and other extensive medical care. But most children born with spina bifida live well into adulthood as a result of today's sophisticated medical techniques. Physiotherapy encourages mobility and independence, for the more severely affected wheelchairs and other walking aids may be required.
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