{"id":1729,"date":"2020-10-26T14:47:18","date_gmt":"2020-10-26T06:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mndmalaysia.org\/?page_id=1729"},"modified":"2020-11-10T23:24:30","modified_gmt":"2020-11-10T15:24:30","slug":"what-is-mnd","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mndmalaysia.org\/en_gb\/what-is-mnd\/","title":{"rendered":"What is MND?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What is MND?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Motor Neurone Disease (MND) also referred to as ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease, is a group of uncommon neurodegenerative diseases which affects the nerves (motor neurones) in the brain and spinal cord that causes rapidly progressive muscle weakness over time.<\/p>\n

The motor nerves (motor neurones)\u2014which are the \u201celectrical wiring\u201d in our body\u2014sends signals from the brain and spinal cord to our muscles, telling the muscles what to do for movements. As MND progresses, it disables these biological functions for response and the nerves degenerate or \u201cdie-off\u201d prematurely which causes rapid muscle weakness. There are four main types of MND<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Symptoms may include:<\/p>\n

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  1. muscle weakness and paralysis,<\/li>\n
  2. impaired speaking,<\/li>\n
  3. swallowing, and<\/li>\n
  4. breathing.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Symptoms usually follow a pattern in three stages (depending on the progression in each person):<\/p>\n

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    1. Initial Stage,<\/li>\n
    2. Advanced Stage, and<\/li>\n
    3. End Stage.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Progression is generally rapid and is variable with an average life expectancy from three to five years (or occasionally longer) from the onset of symptoms. There is no direct cause of pain or discomfort from MND but there may be several indirect causes of muscle spasms and cramps, stiff joints, and other bedridden symptoms as people with MND often stay in bed. Learn more about the symptoms and effects of MND.<\/a><\/p>\n

      The impact on the MND community is usually measured by the Incidence and Prevalence of the disease.<\/p>\n

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      1. Incidence: The number of new cases added in a defined period, usually a year which is 2 per 100,000 of the total population<\/li>\n
      2. Prevalence: The number of cases existing at any point in time, around 6 per 100,000 of the total population.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Research has found that the incidence is higher in people aged over 50 years. Only 10% of cases are familial<\/strong> (inherited), while the remaining 90% are sporadic<\/strong> (random and isolated instances without any identifiable causes).<\/p>\n

        Although classified as a \u201cRare Disease\u201d based on its prevalence, MND is quite common with approximately 140,000 new cases diagnosed worldwide each year, that is 384 new cases daily.<\/p>\n

        With the global statistics and the population in Malaysia, it is estimated there are probably more than 2,000 Malaysians with MND and 600 newly diagnosed cases every year, which is around 50 Malaysians diagnosed with MND every month, whereby men are more susceptible compared to women.<\/p>\n

        Scientists around the world have yet to identify causes or cures for MND. However, they believe that significant treatment breakthroughs are possible.<\/p>\n

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        What are the symptoms and effects of MND?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

        Symptoms vary for each person, and it is unlikely to develop all at once, or in any specific order. It depends on the pattern of the motor neurones involved and the part of the body where the symptoms begin.<\/a><\/p>\n

        As the disease progresses, symptoms are likely to affect different parts of the body. The effects of MND are from the impairment of the parts of the body affected by the disease that triggers other issues not caused directly by the disease.<\/p>\n

        Usually, sensations such as taste, smell, touch, and feeling hot or cold are not affected by the disease.<\/p>\n

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        Common symptoms of MND include:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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