Dedicated to Manolo
Manuel,
Manolo to his friends, born in Madrid, Spain, was 19 years old with a desire to
live, however, on that day when he was preparing to go work, he felt slightly
dizzy, as if he had been drinking without having done so, he had never felt
like that before, added to the tingling in his fingers and a perception that he
was seeing double, he felt nervous, however thinking that it was temporary he
did not mention it to his parents…
He
was called at the time to serve his country, as it was years ago in Spain, and
there his symptoms were heighten, his physical weakness kept him exhausted but
he had to stay strong; it was the military parade, his parents would be there
proud of him, their only child and he could not let them down… When it
finished, he collapsed.
His
long story began there… medical visits… hospitals… good times and bad times…
Along the way Manolo found Rina, his true love, they married, had Paula their
daughter, and until now, they keep fighting together.
Multiple
Sclerosis is an autoimmune degenerative disease that affects the central
nervous system and approximately 2.500.000 people in the world, with 600.000 in
Europe, 49.000 in Spain and 100.000 in the United Kingdom. It is found in young
people between the ages of 20 and 30, most frequently in women and with
outbreaks of a shorter or longer duration…
The
most common symptoms are:
- Numbness and loss of
feeling in hands, feet, back, etc.
- Muscle Spasms.
- Difficulty walking.
- Double vision.
- Depression.
- Difficulty Speaking.
- Etc.
An
MRI Scan is the primary test to complete a diagnostic, and in terms of
treatment, there is none currently available to cure this illness but there are
some available that treat its symptoms and prevent relapses… But there is hope:
The
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in USA, has granted the status of
Breakthrough Therapy Designation to the drug Ocrelizumab, which acts by
progressively slowing the illness.
It
will be launched shortly and according to professor Alan Thompson, chair of the
International Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Alliance, it will be an important
milestone and a step forward towards treating the disease.
On
the other hand, studies conducted by the university of Queen Mary in London and
the Barts Health NHS Trust in United Kingdom, and published by the journal,
‘Multiple Sclerosis’ are geared towards discovering how external factors can
affect people that are already genetically predisposed to it.
These
studies conducted in the East of London, have been able to prove that people
from different ethnicities have developed Multiple Sclerosis in London more
than natives that reside in their countries of origin. These studies have
opened a new field of research and will aid in the prevention of this illness.
And
to Manolo, a special dedication.
Keep
being strong and smile like you always do, you possess the greatest gift
possible, the love of life and most importantly, a family that loves you. Never
forget what I told you, science is there, and one day you will not only walk…
you will run!!
Dr.
J. Hurtado Martínez
Medical
Director of HealthSalus
