I am privileged to introduce you to a few of the rude Swear
words we use in the world of MSA - Multiple System Atrophy. There are others. These
are the real “nasties”! Try saying them now.
“Dysautonomia, Dysarthria, Dysphagia, Bradykinesia, Orthostatic Hypotension, Ataxia, Urogenital Dysfunction.”
Now.. Shout them out!
“DYSAUTONOMIA.. DYSARTHRIA.. DYSPHAGIA.. BRADYKINESIA.. ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION.. ATAXIA.. UROGENITAL DYSFUNCTION..”
Got them? – Great! Now let me explain, in simple terms, what
they mean.
(Note: I do not usually like "Laundry Lists", however, I think in this instance, it is the best way to explain the meaning of the swear words!)
(Note: I do not usually like "Laundry Lists", however, I think in this instance, it is the best way to explain the meaning of the swear words!)
Dysautonomia - Is a
condition in which the autonomic nervous system (ANS) does not work properly
and leads to problems regulating heart rate, blood
pressure, breathing, stomach digestion, bladder,
intestines, sweat glands, pupils, blood vessels and other internal organ functions. (Cerebellar dysfunction)
Dysarthria - Difficult or unclear articulation of speech that is otherwise
linguistically normal. (Cerebellar
dysfunction)
Dysphagia - Is
when you find it difficult to chew, swallow or transport food from your mouth
to stomach. (Cerebellar dysfunction)
Bradykinesia - Is defined by slow movement and an impaired ability to
move the body swiftly on command, postural instability (falling over) and tremors.
(Parkinsonian features and traits)
Orthostatic
Hypotension - OH is defined as blood
pressure fall within a few minutes of standing from a sitting position. (Autonomic Dysfunction)
Ataxia - Gait Ataxia (GA), is a wide-based stance with
steps of irregular length and direction. (Cerebellar dysfunction)
Urogenital Dysfunction - Urinary incontinence (UI) is defined as persistent, involuntary, partial or total bladder emptying and Erectile dysfunction (ED) in men that usually occurs before symptomatic OH ( Orthostatic Hypotension ).
There you have it, the basic swear vocabulary of MSA. Do I use one or two of them or all of them. Sadly, I use ALL of them. Sometimes one or two a day, sometimes all of them every day and sometimes a double dose of them in one day!
For the benefit of my readers, I am going to attempt to take a very long hard look at the development and process of my journey. My next blog will reveal how I put all the bits and pieces together with the help of my various doctor's and came to the estimated guess of exactly when Multiple System Atrophy hit my brain!
[If you have not read the first post of this blog, I recommend you visit HERE and read in chronological order, it will make my journey a little clearer for you]
Advice: No matter what disease you have, rare or not, always keep faith!)
(Next time.. putting the Jigsaw pieces together)
Keep safe,
Neill
