Physical exercise is essential for patients with sclerosis; The goal of the PR MS Walk is to educate patients regarding physical activity.
By: Maria Camila Sanchez
From the Luis Muñoz Rivera park, the Journal of Medicine and Public Health was present at the eleventh edition of the PR MS Walk 2023a sporting event for patients with multiple sclerosisin which some of the best-known medical faces on the island participated, such as Dr. Oscar Soto Raíces, rheumatologist and president of the Puerto Rican Foundation for Rheumatic Diseases.
The medical literature defines Multiple sclerosis (MS), as a condition of the nervous system that affects the brain and spinal cord. This causes damage to the myelin sheath, the material that surrounds and protects nerve cells, and slows or even stops the brain’s signals throughout the body.
So, according to Dr. Soto, the condition can manifest “from something very simple, like intermittent attacks that cause people to lose strength, or experience changes in sensation; or it can occur in a much more severe way, with lesions that affect a large part of the nervous system and patients cannot walk”.
Although it is true that MS can seriously affect degrees of mobility, this event brought together hundreds of people, with or without a previous diagnosis, who faced this challenge with the courage and effort that finishing a marathon entails.
“We saw people with little mobility, but also people like Ms. Wanda González, our nutritionist, who also has the diagnosis and was with us today,” the specialist highlighted.
A condition that can affect anyone
MS does not have a particular age in terms of the appearance of the first symptoms, this makes it difficult to diagnose patients.
“People who sometimes start to have sudden limb weakness, numbness, unusual changes in sensation should seek help.”
Additionally, vision disturbances, problems with coordination and balance, numbness, itching or pricking in the extremities, as well as problems with thinking and memory, are the most common symptoms of this condition.
Large participation of the Puerto Rican population
These types of activities support two programs that the Fundación de Multiple sclerosis is in charge, one of them helps cover the cost of deductibles for patients and those who require some type of medical equipment also benefit.
On the other hand, the wellness program, aimed at providing therapies to those who are diagnosed with this condition, so that events like this translate into benefits for patients.
Active Life Awareness
The benefits of exercising when you have a disease like MS are enormous, as long as you keep in mind that moderation is essential.
“Exercise certainly strengthens the immune system, so even sclerosis patients are recommended to do it according to their ability.”
30 minutes of physical activity a day, three days a week, may be essential to guarantee a better quality of life for patients. A sedentary lifestyle or, on the other hand, very intense physical exercise can cause fatigue, serious injuries and worsen symptoms.
“That’s why we’re here, trying to join them and doing this walk so they see the importance of exercising,” he concluded. “We are here to support the patients and the Fundación de Multiple sclerosis”.
See the complete program here
