Multiple sclerosis in famous people. Famous people suffering from multiple sclerosis. A closer look at the forecast

European doctors are talking about a new epidemic: multiple sclerosis has taken first place among diseases leading to disability among young people, and has already become one of the most serious problems for the budgets of some states.

Just half a century ago, multiple sclerosis was a fairly rare disease. Today this is a big social problem. Millions of cases around the world were recorded only at the end of the twentieth century. Numerous studies have only allowed us to get closer to understanding the causes of the epidemic.

Today we can say quite accurately that the trigger mechanism for the disease is often certain types of viruses, psycho-emotional stress and poor environmental conditions,” says Professor Howard Weiner from Harvard University, one of the world’s leading experts in the field of multiple sclerosis. “Recently, we learned to better understand the nature of the disease and, therefore, began to better treat this disease.

Moreover, the disease has a clear geographical aspect: the further from the equator people live, the more likely they are to get sick. So the most cases of multiple sclerosis are recorded in the northern United States (almost 300 thousand cases), Canada, Europe and Russia. We have given this diagnosis to 150 thousand patients, but doctors are sure that a significant part of people simply do not know about their illness. A professor at the Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Medical Genetics told Ogonyok about what our doctors are doing to save those who have received a terrible diagnosis. N.I. Pirogov Alexey Boyko, who for many years held the position of chief neurologist of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.

- Alexey Nikolaevich, how common is this disease today?

There are now more than 2 million people living in the world with an established diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. In Russia, at least 150 thousand young people suffer from sclerosis, and this is becoming an important medical and social problem. There are more patients every year, and this is due, firstly, to better diagnostics - an accurate diagnosis is made at the earliest stages of the development of the pathological process. Secondly, effective treatment methods have appeared, such patients today live much longer, and accordingly their number is increasing.

- Is 150 thousand patients a lot or a little compared to other countries?

Now in Russia we record from 30 to 70 cases per 100 thousand population, these are average levels. Moreover, the prevalence of the disease depends on many factors, for example, on the ethnic composition of the region, the characteristics of the organization of medical care, including the possibility of early detection. For example, in some regions of Russia there is not yet an MRI device with the necessary power for accurate diagnosis and monitoring of the condition of patients with multiple sclerosis, so there are fewer identified cases there.

- In which regions are there more cases of the disease?

Traditionally, many cases are recorded in the northern and central regions of the European part of the country, but recently the number of cases has been increasing in the southern regions, including the North Caucasus republics, as well as in Eastern Siberia and the Far East. In general, in general, European peoples are more likely to get sick in the world; in Asia, this disease is much less common.

- Has the disease really become younger in recent decades? What is this connected with?

Multiple sclerosis is more common among young people over the age of 18. Nowadays, more and more cases of the disease occur in children and adolescents, who end up with the disease for many, many years. There are more and more young patients with this diagnosis, especially in developed countries, since this is one of the diseases of civilization associated with changes in our immunity that occur under the yoke of technogenic influences on the human body.

- Can we say that the disease is provoked by the environment of large cities?

It’s difficult to answer so unequivocally. There has always been a predisposition to such autoimmune diseases, but now, under the influence of hundreds of factors, this predisposition is realized much more often.

- Is it possible to identify any segment of the population that is more susceptible to multiple sclerosis? Is there any work in this regard?

You know, in general these are people from different social groups, but among them there are many outwardly beautiful and talented young people. Back in the last century, the symptom of “beauty” in multiple sclerosis was described. Perhaps this is due to genetic predisposition. Perhaps there is a special, subtle organization of the soul.

- Is there any data on genetic markers associated with the development of the disease?

According to the latest data, a predisposition to multiple sclerosis is formed by the presence of more than 200 genetic variants, markers or alleles that come from both the mother and the father. And it is realized under the influence of external factors. For example, these could be infections. There are so-called opportunistic viruses with which the human body, without predisposition, can coexist for a long time, and in this case they provoke the development of the disease. Other catalysts for the disease include a lack of vitamin D and other factors that affect the interaction between the nervous and immune systems. To put it briefly, the disease can be triggered by infections and psycho-emotional stress.

- Multiple sclerosis was described in the last century. What has changed in treatment recently?

Previously, it was, frankly speaking, a death sentence. Our older generation, who lived in the USSR, knows this disease from the life of the writer Nikolai Ostrovsky, who previously wrote the popular, but now undeservedly forgotten book “How the Steel Was Tempered.” He was ill and died at a young age from multiple sclerosis. Previously, this was a real threat of early disability at a young age. Smart, talented, educated young people completely dropped out of public and personal life and became a burden to family and society. It was a nightmare for the man and his loving relatives. But in the last 20 years, such progress has been made in the treatment of the disease that WHO recognized this fact as one of the highest achievements of modern medicine.

- What is this connected with?

In the arsenal of a neurologist back in 2005 there were only five immunomodulatory drugs for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, by the 2010s there were nine, and today there are 15. The most important condition for successful treatment of the disease has become the individual selection of so-called drugs that change the course of multiple sclerosis.

- What does individual selection mean in this case?

We are talking about the very personalized medicine that is now considered the most promising. In 2013, our department, together with the center’s staff, was awarded a prize from the government and the mayor of Moscow for a series of world-famous scientific and practical research on personalized selection of therapy for multiple sclerosis, including pharmacogenetic studies, that is, selection of drugs based on research of the human genome. Now the question is about introducing scientific developments into the daily work of neurologists.

- What are these drugs? What do they change in the body?

Immunomodulatory drugs make it possible to reduce the activity of the pathological process, control it, and make sure that this chronic disease has minimal impact on human health. It should be noted that such drugs act like a “scalpel medicine”: if they hit the target accurately, they lead to excellent results. But you need to know them, know all the indications and contraindications, select them taking into account the patient’s medical history and life, the state of other systems, taking into account the risks, so this highly effective, highly accurate and very expensive treatment is selected in specialized clinics all over the world.

- What do doctors consider a good result if the disease cannot be defeated?

A good result is when there are no clinical or tomographic manifestations of the pathological process for a long time. Can we say that this is a “cure” for multiple sclerosis? It’s impossible, and those who say so are people who know little about this problem. But it is now possible and necessary to develop a treatment and observation plan in order to control all manifestations of the pathological process and act on it in a timely manner so that the impact on human health is minimal. Therefore, the most important task of the state, the leadership of the country and regions is to ensure the availability of these drugs to patients. A patient with multiple sclerosis should receive the drug that doctors have chosen for him and which helps him. It is very important that the doctor prescribing treatment is highly qualified.

- The question of highly qualified doctors is especially relevant after the only specialized center in Russia for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, where people came from all over the country, was closed. After this, people took to the streets to protest... Will some kind of head clinic be created?

There is no answer to this question yet. In all countries, the selection of therapy and specialized care is carried out by doctors and nurses who have special qualifications in this area. Such centers exist in all European cities; in Moscow it was created in 1998, and then based on its model in more than 70 cities of the country. There are regional and university centers. In Moscow, such a center existed until 2014. It was a real university clinic that operated successfully for more than 15 years. Now the Moscow Department of Health believes that any neurologist can make a diagnosis and select treatment for multiple sclerosis. This is contrary to international practice. In Moscow, five outpatient departments have been organized for patients with multiple sclerosis, on a district basis; there is no longer a specialized hospital. Let's see how this system will work in the future. Now the task is to preserve and improve the system of care for patients with multiple sclerosis, which was in Moscow until 2014.

- Today all over the world there is a lot of talk about the problem of overdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Do we have a similar problem? What is it connected with?

We have a problem too, and it’s a very important one. Since effective treatments for multiple sclerosis have become available, doctors, especially neuroradiologists, may be more likely to favor a diagnosis of MS rather than another diagnosis for which there are not enough treatment advances to offer hope to patients. Unfortunately, the drugs work only in cases of definite multiple sclerosis, that is, they are highly specific, which emphasizes the need for accurate, differential diagnosis already in the early stages of the disease.

- Recently, the festival “For Yourself. For Freedom” was held in Moscow, dedicated to the fight against multiple sclerosis. What is the essence of such events and how can they help patients?

Such festivals have been held for many years in all civilized countries. They are organized by patient organizations of MS patients to draw public attention to this problem. This, on the one hand, is a holiday that is designed to show how talented and adaptable people with such a chronic disease can be, and on the other hand, it raises questions for society about what else can be done to help them. Such events are always carried out with the active participation and support of neurologists. For example, recently a joint conference of American and European neurologists in Boston welcomed a sailing crew made up exclusively of young people with this diagnosis who crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Lisbon to Boston and took part in this scientific and practical conference. And more than 7 thousand doctors stood and greeted the team of brave patients, who showed that these people are ready to solve the most difficult problems.

685 symptoms

Reference

What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the young. Usually this diagnosis is made at 20-40 years of age. What causes the disease is still a mystery. At some point, your own immunity begins to attack the cells of the nervous tissue, destroying their protective shell. As a result, nerve impulses do not pass through and dead areas - so-called plaques - form in the brain. They alternate with healthy areas, ending up scattered in different places. Depending on where they are formed - in the spinal cord or brain - a person experiences the first symptoms of the disease - decreased vision, a feeling of numbness in the arms or legs, unsteadiness in gait, and so on. The disease then progresses and often puts the person in a wheelchair.

The famous American neurologist John Kurtzke in the middle of the last century counted 685 symptoms of multiple sclerosis, and none of them are exclusive, characteristic of this disease. Therefore, today the diagnosis is made only after an MRI examination.

Today, more than 2 million people in the world suffer from multiple sclerosis. The task of scientists is to study all aspects of this disease, especially its impact on cognitive abilities, which suffer first and lead to disability in young people.

Right on target

Pharmacologists have made progress in the treatment of multiple sclerosis over the past decade.

The disease incapacitates people at a young age, which places an additional economic burden on the shoulders of the state. Therefore, in recent years, the market for drugs that stop the development of multiple sclerosis has become one of the most dynamic. A recent report from the research agency BMIResearch estimates that by 2018, the market for drugs to treat multiple sclerosis will exceed $18 billion, despite the fact that the number of companies that have created original drugs can be counted on one hand. So far, the main player in the market is the United States, producing 60 percent of all drugs. They are followed by Canada, Germany, France and Israel, but recently this problem has been actively addressed in Asia, where previously multiple sclerosis actually did not exist, but in recent years it has become one of the most common neurological diseases among young people.

Modern medications can significantly slow down the development of the disease, but they have a number of disadvantages. Firstly, they are quite toxic and cannot be taken constantly, secondly, they are very expensive (in Russia, treatment costs 30-40 thousand rubles per month), thirdly, they do not cure the disease, but only stop its progression.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease, the causes of which are completely unknown, and the mechanisms of development are associated with dysregulation of many parts of the immune response, says Roman Ivanov, vice president for international development of BIOCAD, which develops domestic drugs for the disease. medicines have been created that are guaranteed to cure patients with multiple sclerosis. However, significant progress has been made in recent years: drugs have become available that are much more effective and safe than drugs considered the standard of care. Of great interest is also the fundamentally new mechanism of action of antibodies to the LINGO-1 protein, which, as expected, may become the first drug that helps restore the damaged myelin sheath of nerve fibers.

Thus, if first-generation drugs stop the destruction of the membrane of neurons, then in the future scientists hope to learn how to restore the affected areas of the nervous system. Another direction is disease prevention. At Harvard School, for example, they are developing a vaccine against multiple sclerosis. This work, oddly enough, is connected with the study of intestinal function. Today it is recognized that this organ - the largest in the body - is an important part of the immune system.

Today we can say for sure that victory over multiple sclerosis is just around the corner, says one of the world's leading experts in the field of multiple sclerosis, Howard Weiner from Harvard. “The basis of treatment is an individual approach, taking into account the characteristics of the patient’s genetics. The hope is that a strategy will be developed to stimulate the gut's natural immune reserves to protect against multiple sclerosis. I think that in general we are talking about 5-10 years of work.

Business card

Alexey Boyko - Professor of the Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Medical Genetics, Russian National Research Medical University named after. N.I. Pirogova, President of the Congress of the Russian Committee for Researchers of Multiple Sclerosis ROCIRS (RUCTRIMS), for many years served as the chief neurologist of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.

Elena Kudryavtseva

When the word “sclerosis” is mentioned, most people far from medicine recall senile memory impairment associated with atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels and, as a consequence, impaired cerebral blood supply.

In fact, however, multiple sclerosis has nothing in common with atherosclerosis, except for a similar name and the fact that both diseases affect the central nervous system (CNS).

The word “sclerosis” is understood here as a “scar of connective tissue,” since it is precisely such scars that form throughout the central nervous system without a single center (hence the term “scattered”).

The destruction of the myelin sheaths of the nerves and the formation of sclerotic plaques on them leads to the fact that the nerves cease to conduct electrical impulses normally, and this causes multiple paralysis.

How long do people with multiple sclerosis live? We will consider the life prognosis with such a diagnosis below.

Unfortunately, science does not provide a clear and satisfactory answer to the question of the causes of this disease.

It is only known that the disease is caused by a disruption in the activity of the immune system, which, instead of destroying pathogens or degenerated cells of its own body, switches to fighting the cells of its own body.

Such diseases are called autoimmune.

The development of the disease is influenced by many factors, the main of which are genetic predisposition, lack of sunlight and the resulting vitamin D deficiency, lack of uric acid, stress, smoking, and some viral infections.

The risk of developing a more severe form of the disease is higher in men than in women and in Caucasians than in other races.

Symptoms

In the initial stages, the disease manifests itself through numbness and weakness of the limbs, partial paralysis of half the body, weakened vision (blurred visible contours), pain when moving the eye.

If you turn your head sharply, you may feel an electric shock, dizziness and fatigue are constantly present.

Then the disease recedes, and the patient experiences relief, which can last for months. For this reason, the disease is difficult to detect in the early stages.

But as more nerves are affected, the disease continues to progress, and the symptoms inevitably return again, now much stronger. Muscle cramps and paralysis of the legs occur, the ability to concentrate weakens and forgetfulness develops, problems with the intestines and bladder appear.

Since the disease does not have a single center, and the nerves are affected haphazardly, the clinical picture can be strikingly different. For example, some patients first have vision problems, others have weakness and paralysis of the limbs, others may have signs of epilepsy, and so on.

The speed of development of the disease is also different. If the first symptoms appear at a young age (up to 25 years), then the disease progresses slowly, with long periods of remission, persistent paralysis does not occur, and the patient can live a long and happy life.

If symptoms occur after 40, the disease usually develops rapidly, leading to rapid paralysis and death. Most often, death occurs due to respiratory paralysis, cardiac infarction, kidney failure, or infectious diseases that occur in paralyzed people suffering from bedsores or ulcers. Those who avoid paralysis remain at high risk of becoming a victim of an accident due to problems with attention and coordination of movements.

About 150 thousand people live in Russia with multiple sclerosis, and the question of life prognosis for such people remains relevant, because a method that can completely cure the disease has not yet been invented. depending on the form of the disease.

For what signs can one suspect multiple sclerosis, read. The importance of early diagnosis.

Canadian scientist Ashton Embry, a patient with multiple sclerosis, studied this disease for many years and came to the conclusion that such an aspect as nutrition is very important in treating the disease. Here we will analyze the principles of the diet according to Embry and Vetrov.

Multiple sclerosis and medicine

There is no known method yet that can completely cure the disease, since its causes are not completely clear.

However, doctors have managed to achieve impressive results in alleviating the patient’s condition, increasing the duration and improving the quality of life.

Thus, at the beginning of the 20th century, when effective remedies against this disease had not yet been developed, on average, patients lived no more than 20 years after the first symptoms of the disease were detected.

By the middle of the last century, life expectancy for multiple sclerosis increased to 30 years, and at the beginning of the 21st century, patients live only seven years less than the average life expectancy in the country.

That is, with timely and correct treatment, a healthy lifestyle and increased caution, the patient can live a long and happy life.

However, there is also an aggressive form of the disease, which leads to death within 3 to 5 years and is almost untreatable.

The influence of psychological factors on life expectancy

It has been noted that frequent stress is one of the risk factors for multiple sclerosis.

At the same time, a stressful situation can not only affect the onset of the disease, but also “bring it back to life” during a period of relative remission.

American scientists from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Chicago) conducted a study that showed that among people trained in stress management techniques, in 77% of cases new lesions do not form.

At the same time, among ordinary patients who have not been trained in special psychological techniques, new lesions do not form in only 55%.

Another common companion to multiple sclerosis is depression. True, it acts as its consequence, not its cause. 25% of all people suffering from multiple sclerosis need the help of a psychiatrist for this reason; naturally, the total number of people suffering from depression is much higher. The risk of suicide increases by 7.5 times compared to the national average; about 15% of patients with multiple sclerosis and depression take their own lives.

Thus, the correct psychological attitude can not only improve the quality of life, but also stop the development of the disease, and falling into a state of despondency can reduce efforts to prolong the patient’s life to zero.

Conclusion

The cause of the disease is not fully understood, and radical treatment methods have not been developed. However, medicine has the power to prolong the patient’s life and make it better.

Without treatment, multiple sclerosis leads to death on average within 20 years.

Thanks to treatment, the average life expectancy of patients is only seven years less than that of healthy people (i.e., it may even exceed this figure).

The forms of the disease vary greatly and depend on the age of the patient. Those who become ill after 40 have a high risk of rapid development of the disease and death within five years; those who become ill in their youth develop the disease slowly, and such people live with it for decades.

Stress and depression shorten the patient's life significantly.

Multiple sclerosis is a difficult disease to identify. Therefore, before making a diagnosis, a differential diagnosis is carried out and includes a whole range of laboratory and instrumental methods.

In what cases is disability due to multiple sclerosis, read in the section. Which group does the patient apply for?

Water aerobics, tai chi, and yoga are useful for patients with multiple sclerosis. It's helpful to keep a journal of your feelings, love yourself, and be honest. Neurologist, member of the American Academy of Neurology Vitaly Akimov talks about what actually affects the development of multiple sclerosis and what makes you feel better.

REFERENCE.Multiple sclerosis is a disorder of the nervous system. In multiple sclerosis, the myelin sheath of nerve fibers, which is “responsible” for transmitting impulses, is destroyed. The result is often numbness in the hands, feet, face, poor functioning of the digestive system, reproductive system, and internal organs. It is an incurable and progressive disease. It most often affects young people (ages 20-40) and its exact causes are still unknown. There are cases when a harmless infection gave an impetus, and within a few months a person who had no health problems sat in a stroller.

Vitaly Akimov

— Doctor, can we start right away with practical recommendations for patients with multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a disease with very diverse symptoms; certain problems manifest themselves to varying degrees in different patients or do not manifest themselves at all. Therefore, recommendations for each case will be very different. A person may have severe disturbances in movement, gait, coordination, vision, speech, intelligence, pelvic functions, and so on. Such a patient certainly needs rehabilitation, psychological and social support. Or maybe not, then his life will be almost no different from the life of any other person.

— It is often difficult to move on with your life if you know that the disease can develop and that one day you may end up in a wheelchair.

— The course of the disease is difficult to predict. It can be aggressive, or it can be completely benign with rare attacks and reversible symptoms. Fortunately, in recent years medicine has made significant advances in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. We have a number of drugs that control the course of the disease much more effectively than before and significantly reduce the progression of the disease. But the very fact of waiting for new symptoms can really have a bad effect on the course of the disease.

The very fact of waiting for new symptoms can have a bad effect on the course of the disease.

There is a possibility that this will lead to mental changes that can disable a person more than the disease itself. Therefore, you need to try to be objective about your condition, assess the real significance of your symptoms, and take the necessary measures to treat them. And as a doctor who sees a large number of patients with multiple sclerosis, I can say for sure that a positive attitude in most cases has a positive effect on the course of the disease.

- Yes, but I repeat once again: withIt is false to remain cheerful when you know that treatment for a chronic disease will become an integral part of your life...

— We all know that events can happen in our lives that are beyond our control, and this applies not only to multiple sclerosis. We may be upset by certain events in our lives. Yes, we may not like everything. Yes, in life we ​​sometimes have to change the direction of movement, start all over again, make certain efforts. Don't give in to melancholy, be stronger than the disease. Be not aggressive, but assertive. Even before the diagnosis of the disease, you knew how to cope with difficulties and life obstacles that fate one way or another presents.

— How can a patient fight the disease himself?

— Firstly, see a specialist, follow the necessary recommendations and know that everything medically is under control. Secondly, keep yourself in good physical shape, maintain as much physical activity as possible, and do therapeutic exercises. Only a truly prepared body can cope with stress.

Thirdly, you need to actively use your internal resource. Dedicate special time to inner comfort, breathing regulation, practice relaxation techniques, and meditation. From time to time, switch your thoughts to the state of your body, mentally scan the internal organs and systems, identify those areas that are spasmodic or tense, try to relax these parts of your body.

Love yourself - enjoy your favorite activities. Finally, participate in social events and socialize. Communication with other people brings not only positive emotions, but also helps, in some cases,« chill out». In addition, once you learn to cope with difficulties, you can help those people who are still at the beginning of this path.

— Do patients with multiple sclerosis need to follow any diet?

— There is no special diet. Every person needs a healthy, balanced diet.

— How do you come to terms with how multiple sclerosis can affect your personality?

— Multiple sclerosis should not change you, much less your attitude towards life. You are the same person, the only thing that distinguishes you from others is, perhaps, a more difficult test on your life path. Although, believe me, millions of people live with much more serious problems. And they fight and don’t give up.

— How can you help your healthcare provider help you?

— If you want to help yourself, keep a diary and describe your symptoms in detail. This will help the doctor improve treatment and rehabilitation. After all, he is at the same time with you - you are doing a common cause. Don't hide anything from your doctor: if you are depressed, if you don't enjoy intimacy, or if you are aggressive towards your partner, tell your doctor about it.

Discuss with your doctor the need to organize and adapt the home environment, and, if necessary, consult with relatives and caregivers. Try to plan what work you can do and what you can't. If necessary, negotiate possible changes with your superiors.

Finally, choose a sport that you enjoy. Swimming, water aerobics, tai chi, yoga and other activities are suitable for patients with multiple sclerosis. Learn more about the disease, because when a person is warned, he is armed. Take care of yourself. Ask the experts as many questions as possible.

— Have there been any patients in your practice who managed to psychologically overcome the disease?

One famous patient liked to repeat:« I probably won’t be able to win the war, but I can see which fortresses I can definitely conquer». This is the right approach. Although the disease can somehow influence various aspects of our life, life does not end there, the main values ​​​​in life do not change because of it. Multiple sclerosis does not change family values, the love of loved ones, their attention and the ability to communicate; it cannot forbid us to dream, forbid us to try to fulfill the dreams of people close to us.

You need to live life to the fullest, love, have children, travel, do what you want. Often a person with a chronic illness understands the values ​​of life better than a healthy person, and therefore he can be happier than a healthy person. Everything is in the hands of the person himself. And they cannot be omitted.

Interview: Yana Ivashkevich

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FAMOUS PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Yuri Tynyanov, Russian writer

Olga Bobrovnikova, Russian pianist

Irina Yasina, Russian journalist, economist, writer

Jacqueline Mary du Pré, English cellist

Natalia Voronitsyna, Russian photographer and volunteer

When you see an actor or singer on the TV screen, you would never think that this person might be sick with something. It’s as if they are from another planet, where there is no poverty and incurable diseases.

However, unfortunately, many talented actors and musicians die as a result of the disease. Today we will talk about those who continue to live and work, despite their incurable diseases. Diabetes mellitus, psoriasis, epilepsy, hepatitis C - these villains scare not only ordinary mortals, but also Hollywood stars, because even big money or luck, as we know, will not help here.

Diabetes

The wonderful Tom Hanks, whom we recently saw in the film “Miracle on the Hudson”, and will soon see in “Inferno”, works tirelessly and looks good. But, as it turned out in 2013, the actor has diabetes. This illness has haunted Hanks since he was 36, but the well-known Forrest Gump and Robert Langdon are fighting the disease, keeping it under control and advising fans not to worry about it. Tom Hanks admitted about his type 2 diabetes on David Letterman's talk show, plunging his many fans and all TV viewers into a real shock. Then it became clear to everyone why Hanks lost so much weight. Celebrities who also suffer from diabetes include Sylvester Stallone, Halle Berry, Mikhail Boyarsky, Armen Dzhigarkhanyan, Sharon Stone, and Jean Reno.

Asthma

Who would have thought that the handsome and lively, world-famous athlete, model and family man David Beckham suffers from asthma. The footballer did not make any official statements about this, but all the fans gasped when Beckham needed an inhaler right on the field. After this incident, his agents tried to attribute everything to temporary bronchitis, but in the end the athlete still had to reveal the truth about his health. As it turned out, Beckham was diagnosed with moderate asthma in childhood. Later, David himself was forced to make a statement that he had been ill with this disease for a long time, but by and large it did not affect his life and career. Fans were amazed by the athlete’s courage and determination. It is worth adding that Sharon Stone also suffers from asthma. It’s just not clear how this beauty smoked endlessly and sexually in “Basic Instinct.”

Multiple sclerosis

Jack Osbourne has multiple sclerosis. He was diagnosed with this disease at the age of 26, after the birth of his child. As a result, he lost 80% of his vision, but doctors assure that everything could have been much worse. The diagnosis itself initially plunged the son of the legendary Osborne into shock: he had just had a child, he was at the peak of happiness. But in the end, Jack pulled himself together, began to eat right, play sports, got rid of various bad habits and is not shy about talking about his illness. Multiple sclerosis is an incurable neurological disease that affects nerve fibers; it is expressed in impaired coordination of body movements, increased fatigue, deterioration of vision and speech. It is unclear how this disease will further affect the lives of the Osborne family. For some it is mild, but in some cases it can become severe.

Psoriasis

It's hard to imagine that socialite Kim Kardashian, who always proudly flaunts her body, suffers from psoriasis. This is a chronic disease that is accompanied by the appearance of reddish-pink rashes and peeling of the skin. Psoriasis is also called lichen planus. Kardashian once noted in an interview that psoriasis cannot be cured, but she has learned to live with it. Kanye West's wife discovered the disease at the opening of the DASH store in New York in 2010. After which I immediately excluded tomatoes, eggplants, and sour foods from my diet, and picked up a special ointment that I apply every evening before bed. Cameron Diaz and Britney Spears also suffer from psoriasis. It’s hard to imagine that these beauties, who know and love every inch of their body, are forced to hide and be ashamed of various spots on their skin.

Parkinson's disease

Michael J. Fox, everyone's favorite Marty McFly, suffers from Parkinson's disease. The actor was given this terrible diagnosis back in 1991, but he was able to admit everything publicly only seven years later. It all started when Michael's legs stopped listening to his brain during the filming of the movie Dr. Hollywood. The actor was very scared then, began to drink a lot of alcohol and did not act in films for several years, fearing that the illness would end his career. Parkinson's disease is called living without movement. This is a brain disease, the causes of which are still unclear. However, a few years later, Fox returned to the screens, and he keeps his illness under control, thanks to therapy and willpower. In addition, Michael J. Fox has established a special fund of $450 million to financially support people suffering from Parkinson's and to find new cures for this disease.

Hepatitis C

Pamela Anderson once said in an interview that she contracted hepatitis from her ex-husband, using the same tattoo needle that he used. Then, back in 2002, the actress constantly complained of a cold, poor health, and hair loss. But Tommy Lee himself denies this. The star of “Baywatch” really doesn’t like it when others treat her with sympathy. She even agreed to a special photo shoot in a bikini to demonstrate to everyone her unbroken spirit. Then she gave up alcohol, began to eat right, and carefully monitor her health. And in November 2015, the whole world learned that Pamela Anderson had been cured of hepatitis C. In her message on Instagram, she supported all those suffering from this disease and urged them to believe that any disease is curable. Experts, however, assure that it is currently impossible to completely get rid of HCV; it is only possible to permanently recover from this virus.

Tick-borne borreliosis

Ben Stiller, Alec Baldwin, Ashley Olsen suffer from tick-borne borreliosis, or Lyme disease. This insidious disease is most often transmitted through a tick bite, and human skin, the nervous system, the heart, and joints can suffer from it. Actor Ben Stiller, for example, learned about Lyme after years of joint pain and a battle with rheumatism. The difficulty of borreliosis is that it is difficult to diagnose and, as a result, start treatment on time. Its symptoms are the most common, like the flu: lethargy, drowsiness, malaise, aching joints. This is what happened to one of the Olsen sisters - when the girl was diagnosed with borreliosis, the disease was already very advanced. This disease also poisons the life of singer Avril Lavigne. Her tick bit her in the spring of 2013, but only six months later doctors were able to understand what the girl was sick with. As a result, the singer was bedridden for almost six months, it was difficult for her to breathe, move, and she could not take care of herself. Fans thought that Avril was depressed due to separation from her husband or was being treated for drug addiction, until Lavigne personally asked her fans to pray for her health.

Thrombocytopenia

Cheerful Julia Roberts can lose a lot of blood from a minor scratch. The actress suffers from thrombocytopenia - a lack of platelets in the blood, which causes problems with stopping bleeding. Despite this rare blood disease, Roberts' life is not in danger. Only constant bruises, perhaps, are not very popular for a successful actress. However, she can calmly lead an active lifestyle, film a lot, give birth and raise children.

Lupus

Toni Braxton, Lady Gaga and Selena Gomez all have lupus. This is an autoimmune disease in which the body's defenses begin to attack its own cells. It is also not easy to diagnose, so a person may feel unwell for many years without knowing what the cause is. Selena Gomez, for example, suffers from a more severe form of lupus, which sometimes forces her to cancel tours and concerts. And Lady Gaga, according to her, has only a borderline stage of this disease, which does not require any special clinical forms of treatment. Famous singer Toni Braxton learned as a child that she had lupus and Schmidt's syndrome, but this did not stop her from making an excellent career.

Epilepsy

Famous rapper Lil Wayne suffers from epilepsy. Every now and then information appears in the media about his seizures, which lead the musician to the hospital. Most often, Lil's seizures occur during periods of stress, frequent performances, various experiences and overwork. Recently, the rapper had an epileptic attack on the plane, which eventually had to be urgently landed in order to provide Wayne with the necessary medical care.

Take care of yourself and be healthy!

Life expectancy directly depends on the physical and mental condition of the patient. With the help of medications, it is possible to improve the quality of life against the background of this pathology. If the doctor recommends certain medications and they are effective, there is a chance that the person will not experience serious problems associated with this disease. With proper, and most importantly, timely therapy, you can get rid of difficulties associated with movement and overcome various mental disorders. Treatment methods work well for people under 40 years of age.

Average life expectancy with multiple sclerosis

How many years can a person live if such a disease is detected? On average - 37 years. If acute pathology is diagnosed, the duration is reduced. It is worth emphasizing that. Its symptoms are in many ways similar to a brain tumor; when diagnosed, it can be assumed that the person has inflamed meninges. If the disease appeared in childhood, you should know that this may be the result of improper vaccination against.

When a person shows signs of pathology, he experiences a serious impairment of consciousness. The patient is concerned about coordination disorders. Some patients live longer, others shorter. Life expectancy directly depends on the mental state of the patient. A person may also have ulcers because he cannot take care of his own body. A bacterial infection can affect tissues and organs; body care must be taken very seriously. Complications of this nature cause the death of many patients. In some cases, complications may occur that cannot be compared with life: heart attack, respiratory tract damage, kidney failure, infection in the urinary system.

If the disease is detected in late stages, the prognosis is likely to be disappointing.

In this case, the patient will experience dizziness more often, loss of sensitivity in the lower extremities, and difficulties with vision.

How long do people with this pathology live? There are three groups of disability for multiple sclerosis, life expectancy for each of them does not exceed 70 years. As the pathology develops, the following complications occur: a person loses sensitivity in the limbs, damage to the centers of the brain is observed, weakness in the legs, convulsions, and paralysis appear. When living with multiple sclerosis, the patient experiences many problems, including involuntary urination and defecation.

The indicator for identifying disability is the severity of the disease. All symptoms experienced by the patient are taken into account:

1. Group 1 disability is assigned to persons who have severe disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
2. Disability group 2 - for serious disorders associated with motor activity.
3. Group 3 disability is given to able-bodied people; they may have minor or moderate movement disorders.

Let's consider severe cases of the disease. Sometimes it happens that during severe mental disorders a person forgets to take medications. He may not go to specialized clinics, even if he knows that he is seriously ill. In this case, the patient deliberately shortens his life expectancy. Statistics show that if complications are detected in people aged 50 years, life expectancy does not exceed 70 years. In multiple sclerosis, it appears strongly. The patient definitely needs a nurse.

There are many versions regarding the origin of multiple sclerosis. The main reason leading to this disease is an autoimmune process. If a person has a weak immune system, he cannot give an adequate response to the stimulus (disease). There are many reasons for the disease:

• frequent exposure to toxic substances;
• unfavorable environmental background (radiation);
• exposure to ultraviolet rays;
• emotional stress, mental disorders;
• allergy to anything;
• injuries;
• unsuccessful operations.

It is important to emphasize that the disease is not a hereditary pathology. A woman's pregnancy does not indicate that she will give birth to an unhealthy child. As for symptoms, they may not appear clearly. Exacerbations characteristic of multiple sclerosis can be repeated at different intervals (every week, month, year). You need to know that each new exacerbation is more difficult, unlike the previous one.

Doctors say that multiple sclerosis is a fickle disease, and its first signs are often ignored. This is what leads to such dire consequences. Sometimes the patient is bothered by one symptom, for example, a vision problem. In such situations, the patient consults an ophthalmologist. The doctor is unable to identify a serious neurological disorder, which also leads to difficulties. The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is made by a neurologist.

Typical symptoms include the following conditions:

1. Trembling of hands and feet. If a person is asked to write something, changes in handwriting can be seen.
2. Loss of coordination of movements. At first, the patient can move independently, but then outside help is needed to move.
3. Rapid eye movements.
4. Weakening of sensitivity, disappearance of some reflexes.
5. Change in taste sensation. A person stops enjoying food.
6. Numbness of the limbs.
7. Dizziness.
8. The onset of sexual weakness.
9. Paresis of the facial and trigeminal nerves. The patient has a distortion of the face and mouth, the eyelids do not close. Read more about facial nerve paresis.
10. Frequent urge to urinate,
11. Vision problems that can lead to complete blindness.
12. Mental disorders. The patient's intellectual capabilities gradually decrease and there is a greater tendency to depression. These disorders are characteristic of the cortical variety of the cerebral form of MS.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects people aged 15-45 years. The disease rarely appears in people over 50 years of age. If multiple sclerosis is diagnosed in children, the disease has a relatively mild course, it is important to detect it in time.

Thanks to the fact that the doctor diagnoses and prescribes treatment on time, there is practically no change in the quality of life, and the child can be healthy in the future. Every day, specialists are taking up the development of new drugs to improve the quality of life with multiple sclerosis. Research into the causes and pathogenesis does not stop. Previously, at the beginning of the 20th century, patients with this diagnosis could live no more than 20 years. In the middle of the 20th century, the lives of patients were extended. Today, every neurologist knows how to live for a patient with such a complex diagnosis.