On Tuesday, August 10, 2018, American actress Christina Applegate revealed on her Twitter account that she suffers from multiple sclerosis.
“Hello, friends. A few months ago I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. It’s been a strange journey. But I have been very supported by other people who I know also suffer from this disease,” she wrote.
The actress also revealed that it has been a hard road and here we explain exactly what this disease consists of.
What Is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative disease of the nervous system that unfortunately has no cure, which affects the brain and spinal cord. MS primarily attacks the material that surrounds and protects nerve cells, better known as “myelin.” And because of the involvement of myelin, the brain begins to have problems communicating with the body, causing the movements of the extremities to be slower, or in the worst case, absent. It also brings with it difficulties in memorizing, changes in vision, as well as sensations of numbness and itching.
It is also called “the disease of a thousand faces” because the symptoms vary depending on each person, as well as their extension and the number of lesions in each individual. To date, the cause(s) of multiple sclerosis is unknown, although it could be a genetic disease or be linked to various environmental factors.
What Are the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?
Among the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis are blurred vision; trembling in the hands; difficulty walking or coordinating movements; weakness in arms and legs; vertigo or lack of balance; hand tremors and difficulty speaking; and bladder problems, to name a few. According to specialists, multiple sclerosis occurs more in women than in men, with people between 20 and 30 years old being the most vulnerable to suffering from it.
Since the causes of multiple sclerosis are unknown, it is almost impossible to reveal if any measures can be taken to prevent it. However, it is believed that one of the factors related to MS is a lack of Vitamin D, so it is recommended to take regular sunbaths, but with proper protection to avoid skin problems. But remember that it is always best to go to a specialist on the subject, who can help us follow up on any condition that you could be a victim of.
Who Is Christina Applegate?
Applegate rose to fame with her role as Kelly in the television comedy Married with Children (1987-1997). Her career has been focused primarily on television with series like Samantha Who? (2007-2009) and the recent Dead to Me. The actress won an Emmy for best guest actress in a comedy for her appearance on Friends (1994-2004) as one of Rachel’s (Jennifer Aniston) sisters. On the big screen, Applegate has participated in comedy films such as The Sweetest Thing (2002), Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004), Vacation (2015), and Bad Moms (2016).
This story was originally published in Spanish in Cultura Colectiva.
