Table of Contents
Do what is most important to you, make your dreams come true and achieve your goals. Even for those who challenge multiple sclerosis it is possible. the stories of so many people tell it, from Stefano who took a trip on foot alone to Chiara, who became manager of the family business, or Anna, who fulfilled her desire for motherhood.
So many stories about a disease that is being tackled better and better, especially thanks to early diagnosis, which are collected thanks to the “Checkmate” campaign on the Novartis BrainzoneIt Facebook page and on the Living Like You website. Together with two experts, Federica Balzani – Coordinator Pharma and Healthcare Corporate Relations AISM Onlus and member of the Board of EMSP and of the Patient Engagement Group of MULTI-ACT and Marinella Clerico – Head of SD Specialized Neurological Pathologies, AOU San Luigi Gonzaga and Associate Professor at the Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences of the University of Turin, we take stock of the disease and the importance of the “story” of experiences that give strength.
Important early diagnosis and multidisciplinary approach
There multiple sclerosis is a chronic neuroinflammatory disease in which a mistakenly activated immune system attacks the central nervous system. The target of the autoimmune attack is myelin – the substance that surrounds and isolates nerve fibers – but the inflammation ultimately damages the neurons themselves as well. Damage to areas of the central nervous system can produce a variety of neurological symptoms that differ from person to person in type and severity. The disease is often classified into three forms: Primarily progressive (PPMS), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and SPMS (Secondarily Progressive MS), characterized by physical and cognitive alterations, in the presence or absence of relapses, and by varying degrees of neurological and physical disability.
There is currently no single test or exam that can confirm the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis on its own. The neurologist considers the set of three elements: the clinical history, the results of the neurological examination and of specific instrumental and biological tests (magnetic resonance, evoked potentials, blood and cerebrospinal fluid tests). In order to confirm the diagnosis, the lesions must have spread to different areas of the central nervous system and have occurred at different times. The earlier the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is made, the greater the chances of good management of the disease. The goal of disease management is ensure good autonomy to the patient and a valid quality of life, even for the relatives of those who suffer from it: it is in fact necessary to chronically take pharmacological treatments aimed at slowing down the progression. Rehabilitation is also fundamental, which must see the alliance between different health professionals (physiatrist, neurologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, nurse, psychologist, social worker, urologist, sexologist, neuropsychologist, ophthalmologist), each specialized in their own rehabilitation field .
The “checkmate” of the disease is possible
There multiple sclerosis it is a complex and unpredictable pathology that has a significant impact on people’s lives. Even if it is an opponent that we cannot completely beat, thanks to the treatments, the progress of research and the help that can come from their family and social nucleus, people with multiple sclerosis can give “checkmate” and be able to maintain a good quality of life with an expectation not far from those who are not affected by this pathology.
This is the message he wants to send out #Check mate: the challenges posed by the disease can be overcome. And with Checkmate – Bold Stories of People with Multiple Sclerosis we celebrate the victories achieved by real people, who in their normality are extraordinary and can be an example for others. The protagonists not only represent a positive story of redemption against multiple sclerosis but, each with its particularities, tells a different aspect of the disease: travel, parenting, work, disability and other aspects. Everything stems from listening to patients and then arriving at “told” events that can be a positive and inspirational example, if not of help, to the most common doubts and fears that people who start their game against multiple sclerosis find themselves to face.
In collaboration with Novartis
Do what is most important to you, make your dreams come true and achieve your goals. Even for those who challenge multiple sclerosis it is possible. the stories of so many people tell it, from Stefano who took a trip on foot alone to Chiara, who became manager of the family business, or Anna, who fulfilled her desire for motherhood.
So many stories about a disease that is being tackled better and better, especially thanks to early diagnosis, which are collected thanks to the “Checkmate” campaign on the Novartis BrainzoneIt Facebook page and on the Living Like You website. Together with two experts, Federica Balzani – Coordinator Pharma and Healthcare Corporate Relations AISM Onlus and member of the Board of EMSP and of the Patient Engagement Group of MULTI-ACT and Marinella Clerico – Head of SD Specialized Neurological Pathologies, AOU San Luigi Gonzaga and Associate Professor at the Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences of the University of Turin, we take stock of the disease and the importance of the “story” of experiences that give strength.
Important early diagnosis and multidisciplinary approach
There multiple sclerosis is a chronic neuroinflammatory disease in which a mistakenly activated immune system attacks the central nervous system. The target of the autoimmune attack is myelin – the substance that surrounds and isolates nerve fibers – but the inflammation ultimately damages the neurons themselves as well. Damage to areas of the central nervous system can produce a variety of neurological symptoms that differ from person to person in type and severity. The disease is often classified into three forms: Primarily progressive (PPMS), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and SPMS (Secondarily Progressive MS), characterized by physical and cognitive alterations, in the presence or absence of relapses, and by varying degrees of neurological and physical disability.
There is currently no single test or exam that can confirm the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis on its own. The neurologist considers the set of three elements: the clinical history, the results of the neurological examination and of specific instrumental and biological tests (magnetic resonance, evoked potentials, blood and cerebrospinal fluid tests). In order to confirm the diagnosis, the lesions must have spread to different areas of the central nervous system and have occurred at different times. The earlier the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is made, the greater the chances of good management of the disease. The goal of disease management is ensure good autonomy to the patient and a valid quality of life, even for the relatives of those who suffer from it: it is in fact necessary to chronically take pharmacological treatments aimed at slowing down the progression. Rehabilitation is also fundamental, which must see the alliance between different health professionals (physiatrist, neurologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, nurse, psychologist, social worker, urologist, sexologist, neuropsychologist, ophthalmologist), each specialized in their own rehabilitation field .
The “checkmate” of the disease is possible
There multiple sclerosis it is a complex and unpredictable pathology that has a significant impact on people’s lives. Even if it is an opponent that we cannot completely beat, thanks to the treatments, the progress of research and the help that can come from their family and social nucleus, people with multiple sclerosis can give “checkmate” and be able to maintain a good quality of life with an expectation not far from those who are not affected by this pathology.
This is the message he wants to send out #Check mate: the challenges posed by the disease can be overcome. And with Checkmate – Bold Stories of People with Multiple Sclerosis we celebrate the victories achieved by real people, who in their normality are extraordinary and can be an example for others. The protagonists not only represent a positive story of redemption against multiple sclerosis but, each with its particularities, tells a different aspect of the disease: travel, parenting, work, disability and other aspects. Everything stems from listening to patients and then arriving at “told” events that can be a positive and inspirational example, if not of help, to the most common doubts and fears that people who start their game against multiple sclerosis find themselves to face.
In collaboration with Novartis
Do what is most important to you, make your dreams come true and achieve your goals. Even for those who challenge multiple sclerosis it is possible. the stories of so many people tell it, from Stefano who took a trip on foot alone to Chiara, who became manager of the family business, or Anna, who fulfilled her desire for motherhood.
So many stories about a disease that is being tackled better and better, especially thanks to early diagnosis, which are collected thanks to the “Checkmate” campaign on the Novartis BrainzoneIt Facebook page and on the Living Like You website. Together with two experts, Federica Balzani – Coordinator Pharma and Healthcare Corporate Relations AISM Onlus and member of the Board of EMSP and of the Patient Engagement Group of MULTI-ACT and Marinella Clerico – Head of SD Specialized Neurological Pathologies, AOU San Luigi Gonzaga and Associate Professor at the Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences of the University of Turin, we take stock of the disease and the importance of the “story” of experiences that give strength.
Important early diagnosis and multidisciplinary approach
There multiple sclerosis is a chronic neuroinflammatory disease in which a mistakenly activated immune system attacks the central nervous system. The target of the autoimmune attack is myelin – the substance that surrounds and isolates nerve fibers – but the inflammation ultimately damages the neurons themselves as well. Damage to areas of the central nervous system can produce a variety of neurological symptoms that differ from person to person in type and severity. The disease is often classified into three forms: Primarily progressive (PPMS), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and SPMS (Secondarily Progressive MS), characterized by physical and cognitive alterations, in the presence or absence of relapses, and by varying degrees of neurological and physical disability.
There is currently no single test or exam that can confirm the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis on its own. The neurologist considers the set of three elements: the clinical history, the results of the neurological examination and of specific instrumental and biological tests (magnetic resonance, evoked potentials, blood and cerebrospinal fluid tests). In order to confirm the diagnosis, the lesions must have spread to different areas of the central nervous system and have occurred at different times. The earlier the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is made, the greater the chances of good management of the disease. The goal of disease management is ensure good autonomy to the patient and a valid quality of life, even for the relatives of those who suffer from it: it is in fact necessary to chronically take pharmacological treatments aimed at slowing down the progression. Rehabilitation is also fundamental, which must see the alliance between different health professionals (physiatrist, neurologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, nurse, psychologist, social worker, urologist, sexologist, neuropsychologist, ophthalmologist), each specialized in their own rehabilitation field .
The “checkmate” of the disease is possible
There multiple sclerosis it is a complex and unpredictable pathology that has a significant impact on people’s lives. Even if it is an opponent that we cannot completely beat, thanks to the treatments, the progress of research and the help that can come from their family and social nucleus, people with multiple sclerosis can give “checkmate” and be able to maintain a good quality of life with an expectation not far from those who are not affected by this pathology.
This is the message he wants to send out #Check mate: the challenges posed by the disease can be overcome. And with Checkmate – Bold Stories of People with Multiple Sclerosis we celebrate the victories achieved by real people, who in their normality are extraordinary and can be an example for others. The protagonists not only represent a positive story of redemption against multiple sclerosis but, each with its particularities, tells a different aspect of the disease: travel, parenting, work, disability and other aspects. Everything stems from listening to patients and then arriving at “told” events that can be a positive and inspirational example, if not of help, to the most common doubts and fears that people who start their game against multiple sclerosis find themselves to face.
In collaboration with Novartis
Do what is most important to you, make your dreams come true and achieve your goals. Even for those who challenge multiple sclerosis it is possible. the stories of so many people tell it, from Stefano who took a trip on foot alone to Chiara, who became manager of the family business, or Anna, who fulfilled her desire for motherhood.
So many stories about a disease that is being tackled better and better, especially thanks to early diagnosis, which are collected thanks to the “Checkmate” campaign on the Novartis BrainzoneIt Facebook page and on the Living Like You website. Together with two experts, Federica Balzani – Coordinator Pharma and Healthcare Corporate Relations AISM Onlus and member of the Board of EMSP and of the Patient Engagement Group of MULTI-ACT and Marinella Clerico – Head of SD Specialized Neurological Pathologies, AOU San Luigi Gonzaga and Associate Professor at the Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences of the University of Turin, we take stock of the disease and the importance of the “story” of experiences that give strength.
Important early diagnosis and multidisciplinary approach
There multiple sclerosis is a chronic neuroinflammatory disease in which a mistakenly activated immune system attacks the central nervous system. The target of the autoimmune attack is myelin – the substance that surrounds and isolates nerve fibers – but the inflammation ultimately damages the neurons themselves as well. Damage to areas of the central nervous system can produce a variety of neurological symptoms that differ from person to person in type and severity. The disease is often classified into three forms: Primarily progressive (PPMS), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and SPMS (Secondarily Progressive MS), characterized by physical and cognitive alterations, in the presence or absence of relapses, and by varying degrees of neurological and physical disability.
There is currently no single test or exam that can confirm the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis on its own. The neurologist considers the set of three elements: the clinical history, the results of the neurological examination and of specific instrumental and biological tests (magnetic resonance, evoked potentials, blood and cerebrospinal fluid tests). In order to confirm the diagnosis, the lesions must have spread to different areas of the central nervous system and have occurred at different times. The earlier the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is made, the greater the chances of good management of the disease. The goal of disease management is ensure good autonomy to the patient and a valid quality of life, even for the relatives of those who suffer from it: it is in fact necessary to chronically take pharmacological treatments aimed at slowing down the progression. Rehabilitation is also fundamental, which must see the alliance between different health professionals (physiatrist, neurologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, nurse, psychologist, social worker, urologist, sexologist, neuropsychologist, ophthalmologist), each specialized in their own rehabilitation field .
The “checkmate” of the disease is possible
There multiple sclerosis it is a complex and unpredictable pathology that has a significant impact on people’s lives. Even if it is an opponent that we cannot completely beat, thanks to the treatments, the progress of research and the help that can come from their family and social nucleus, people with multiple sclerosis can give “checkmate” and be able to maintain a good quality of life with an expectation not far from those who are not affected by this pathology.
This is the message he wants to send out #Check mate: the challenges posed by the disease can be overcome. And with Checkmate – Bold Stories of People with Multiple Sclerosis we celebrate the victories achieved by real people, who in their normality are extraordinary and can be an example for others. The protagonists not only represent a positive story of redemption against multiple sclerosis but, each with its particularities, tells a different aspect of the disease: travel, parenting, work, disability and other aspects. Everything stems from listening to patients and then arriving at “told” events that can be a positive and inspirational example, if not of help, to the most common doubts and fears that people who start their game against multiple sclerosis find themselves to face.
In collaboration with Novartis
