TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: The third annual conference on MND ‘Awareness, Care and Management’ held at Nimhans in Bengaluru underscored the collaborative efforts of doctors and therapists in improving the quality of life for patients with Motor Neuron Disease.
EXPLANATION:
- While MND currently lacks a medical cure, the conference emphasized the effectiveness of symptomatic and supportive treatments in managing the condition and enhancing patient comfort and functionality.
- The conference facilitated direct interaction between doctors, therapists, and approximately 30 MND and ALS patients.
- This interaction aimed to gain firsthand insights into patient experiences and challenges, thereby guiding the development of more tailored care and management strategies.
Innovations and Practical Methods
- Therapists were equipped with both scientific knowledge and practical methods aimed at improving the daily lives of MND patients.
- This holistic approach ensures that caregivers can provide comprehensive support, addressing both physical limitations and emotional well-being.
Motor Neuron Disease (MND)
- Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are a group of progressive neurological disorders that destroy motor neurons, the cells that control skeletal muscle activity such as walking, breathing, speaking, and swallowing.
- This group includes diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, progressive bulbar palsy, primary lateral sclerosis, progressive muscular atrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, Kennedy’s disease, and post-polio syndrome.
- There’s no cure for MND, but there are treatments to help reduce the impact it has on a person’s daily life.
- Some people live with the condition for many years.
- MND can significantly shorten life expectancy and, unfortunately, eventually leads to death.
Symptoms of motor neurone disease
- Symptoms of motor neurone disease happen gradually and may not be obvious at first.
- Early symptoms can include:
- weakness in your ankle or leg – you might trip, or find it harder to climb stairs
- slurred speech, which may develop into difficulty swallowing some foods
- a weak grip – you might drop things, or find it hard to open jars or do up buttons
- muscle cramps and twitches
- weight loss – your arms or leg muscles may have become thinner over time
- difficulty stopping yourself from crying or laughing in inappropriate situations
- Motor neurone disease is an uncommon condition that mainly affects people in their 60s and 70s, but it can affect adults of all ages.
- It’s caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurones.
- These cells gradually stop working overtime. It’s not known why this happens.