NHS has issued advice on recognising the symptoms of MS after Christina Applegate revealed the five symptoms she'd ignored before her diagnosis.
The 52-year-old Anchorman star was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the summer of 2021 while working the third and final season of Netflix's Dead To Me.
She has since opened up about her health issues in order to help shine a light on MS by revealing that her symptoms dated back years before she actually knew what she was dealing with.
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Now, MS can affect the brain and spinal cord, resulting in a wide range of potential symptoms including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance.
And while being interviewed on SiriusXM's This Life of Mine with James Corden, Applegate discussed her experiences leading up to receiving the diagnosis and listed some 'weird symptoms' to look out for.
Christina Applegate's MS symptoms
- Balance issues
- Speech issues
- Shaky hands
- Feeling weak at the knees (when walking etc)
- Numb toes
Applegate previously recalled being able to 'brush off' the symptoms in January 2021, but just before she started shooting the third season of Dead To Me, she felt as though she had been 'hit by a truck and didn’t know what was going on'.
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Speaking to Variety, she continued: "It was very scary for me, because this body that I had known was no longer mine.
"We had to kind of work around that until, finally, I had answers.
"I found that I had MS while we were shooting on a Monday. I went home, and the doctor said, “I need to do this meeting with you.”
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"I could feel that this Zoom was not going to be good news. It sucked, I’m not going to lie."
Now, the NHS explains that there's currently no cure for multiple sclerosis (MS), but medicines and other treatments can help 'control the condition and ease some of the symptoms'.
The official website states that treatment for MS largely depends on the stage of the disease and the specific symptoms the person has, which may include:
- treating relapses of MS symptoms (with steroids)
- treating specific MS symptoms
- treatment to reduce the number of relapses (disease-modifying therapies)
The importance of self care with MS
The affected individual may also have to adapt their daily life if you're diagnosed with MS, but with the right care and support many people can lead 'long, active and healthy lives'.
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A massive part of this is self care and taking responsibility for your own health and wellbeing, with support from people involved in your care.
Regular reviews
The NHS explains the importance of being in 'regular contact' with your care team and stressed how valuable it is to have a 'comprehensive review' of your care at least once a year.
This is a great opportunity to discuss your current treatment, mention any new problems you're having, think about any further support you may need, and be kept informed about any new treatments that are available.
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In short - the team knows, the more they can help you.
Healthy eating and exercise
While there isn't one special diet scientifically-proven to slow the progression of MS, the NHS suggests that a 'healthy, balanced diet' can help you manage specific problems such as fatigue and constipation while also reducing your risk of other health problems, such as heart disease.
Additionally, regular activity and exercise is important for both general health and fitness.
Stopping smoking
The NHS website explains: "Smoking is associated with an increased risk of a wide range of health conditions, and may also increase the speed at which MS gets worse."
So, if you do smoke, stopping may help to slow the progression of your MS.
Keeping well
"If you have significant disability related to MS, you'll usually be encouraged to get a flu jab each autumn," the NHS adds.
Some vaccines that contain live organisms, however, 'may not be suitable' if you're having treatment with some (but not all) of the disease-modifying therapies.
"These treatments can weaken your immune system, which means live vaccines may not work or could make you ill," the NHS warned.
Find out more about MS on the official NHS website here.
Rhiannon Ingle