Lifestyle
Every aspect of a person’s life can be affected by a diagnosis of MS. It is up to the individual who to inform. It can sometimes be beneficial to inform employers to ensure that potential issues relating to work can be addressed. The nurse can advise on what information to give, and when. Drivers should notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and their motor insurance company of their diagnosis. If new insurances are to be taken out, the diagnosis should be divulged. If a current policy has critical illness cover, a claim can be made.
The nurse is an important member of the multi- disciplinary team in the ongoing care and support of the patient with MS. It is vital that nurses keep up to date with information and research on MS, linking whenever possible with the MS specialist nurse to help the patient come to terms with having the disease and keep control over his or her life.
current research
The MS Society and the MS Trust both fund research into all aspects of MS and its management. They are also involved in the funding and education/training of MS specialist nurses. Most current research into treatment options is funded by the pharmaceutical industry. These trials often involve thousands of people across the world and it may take many years before results are available.
Guidelines for the management of MS were published in the autumn of 2003 by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE, 2003). They outline good practice and bring together evidence and guidance for care and treatment, which should help towards ending the lottery of health care for people with MS. National Service Framework guidelines for chronic diseases are awaited. conclusion
MS is a common, progressive neurological disease that affects about 85,000 people in the UK. Because it is variable in presentation, diagnosis is not always straightforward. There is no cure at present, although treatments are available to reduce the number of relapses and reduce progression of the disease. Nurses are important members of the multidisciplinary team and can help patients come to terms with having the disease and to keep control over their lives. The MS specialist nurse is