ms bulletin · 2015. 1. 22. · ms bulletin pagna 2 għeżież membri, merħba. din hija l - ewwel...
TRANSCRIPT
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Committee members of the MS Society of Malta 2014 In This Issue:
Articles
Sub-committee
Gozo
Events
Health well-being
HARGA 29; SETTEMBRU 2014
MS Bulletin
A word from the Editor
Welcome all to this year’s bulletin. Hope you all enjoy the summer, but make sure to be protected from the UV rays. Hope to see a lot of new people coming to the Society’s activities and meetings.
A word from the committee members
Kif naħseb li innutajtu din is-sena qegħdin norganizzaw ħafna attiv-itajiet, biex b’hekk ikollna biex inħallsu t-terapija. Aħna nixtiequ li s-sezzjonijiet tat-terapija jerġgħu jiġu kif kienu qabel ta’ darbtejn f’ġimgħa. Napprezzaw ħafna l-parteċipazzjoni tagħkom u l-appoġġ li tistgħu tagħtu f’dawn l-attivitajiet. Din is-sena minbarra l-ikliet żiedna ukoll car wash u hemm il-ħsieb li nerġgħu nagħmlu oħra fix-xhur li ġejjin. Nixtieqilkom is-sajf it-tajjeb. - Carmen Muscat
MS is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nerv-ous system, that is the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. The de-velopment, gravity and specific symptoms of the disease are unpre-dictable and tend to differ depending on the individual. Yet despite certain uncertainties and fears, one should not let themselves get defeated. One has to have a positive attitude to combat it – you need to create the drive within yourself to fight it and carry on. Do not let yourself give up, or give in! - Kenneth Muscat
Il-kumitat sikwit jiltaqa’ sabiex flimkien nieħdu l-aħjar deċiżjonijiet, għall-għaqda tagħna. Irridu nkunu aħna l-membri tas-Soċjeta’ li nistinkaw favur kuxjenza akbar dwar l-MS. L-appoġġ tagħkom ikom-pli jqawwielna qalbna sabiex inkomplu bil-ħidma tagħna. Nawguralkhom sajf mimli saħħa u kuntentizza! - Louise Zahra Nixtieq nappella lill-membri kollha biex kemm jista’ jkun jibdew jattendu, kemm għal-laqgħat li jkollna kif ukoll għall-attivitajiet li jiġu organizzati minn żmien għall-ieħor, permezz ta’ dawn l-attivitajiet jinġabru fondi li tkunu tistgħu tibbenifikaw minnhom inthom ukoll. - Alexander Degabriele
Carmen Muscat - President Kenneth Muscat - Vice-President
Louise Zahra - Secretary Therese Agius - Treasurer
Alastair Farrugia - PRO Alexander Degabriele -
Photographer
Audrey Micallef - Membru Stephanie Micallef - Membru
Mary Buhagiar - Membru Emmanuel Buhagiar - Membru
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PAGNA 2 MS BULLETIN
Għeżież membri,
merħba. Din hija l-
ewwel darba tiegħi li
qed nikteb artiklu għal
din ir-rivista u bi pjaċir
ngħid li ħassejt il-bżonn li
nagħmel dan. Ir-raġuni
hija li mindu sirt naf li
għandi l-MS, saru ħafna
bidliet f’ħajti mingħajr
ma ridt.
L-ewwelnett kien ta’
xokk għalija x’ħin sirt naf
bl-aħbar, għax jien
bniedma normalment
attiva, speċjalment fejn
jidħol l-użu tal-moħħ u t-
tieni ma stajtx nifhem kif
is-sistema immunitarja
tiegħi setgħet tagħmel
affarijiet mingħajr jien
ma kont qed
inġiegħlha,meta din
suppost taħdem favori-
ja u mhux kontrija.
Hawnhekk bdiet il-
battalja miegħi nnifsi
jekk għandix nieħu l-
mediċini li offrewli jew
le. Kienet deċiżjoni kbira
għalija onestament;
imma min-naħa l-oħra
jien bniedma li nem-
men ħafna fi kliem in-
nanniet fejn dejjem
jisħqu biex nitfejqu b’af-
farijiet naturali kif
bagħathomlna l-
Bambin. U minn hawn
bdiet il-mixja tiegħi ma' l
-MS.
Mela bdejt bl-ewwel
pass. Xtrajt kotba u lit-
teralment tkissirt fuq l-
internet infittex għal
soluzzjonijiet biex nis-
kopri x’hemm tajjeb u
x’m'hemmx. Jissemmew
ħafna dieti imma mid-
dehra dieta apposta
għall-MS hi waħda
partikolari u mhux bħal
ħut simili peress li fih ħaf-
na merkurju. Fi studji li
saru nstab li nies li jbatu
bl-MS għandhom kwan-
tita’ ta’ toxins fihom.
Dan jista’ jiġi ikkaġunat
kemm mill-arja imniġġsa
ta’ barra, mill-pestiċidi li
jkun hemm mal-frott u l-
ħaxix, ħut ‘farmed’, kif
ukoll mis-silver amalgam
fillings ġo ħalqna. Jien
iddeċidejt li nibdel
dawn il-fillings għal
dawk bojod biex nevita
kull eventwalita’ ta’ tox-
ins li nista’ nibla’ maż-
żmien. Prodott ieħor im-
portanti ħafna li nik-
konsmaw huwa is-
seaweed (algae).
Hawn Malta hija xi ftit
problema biex nieħdu
minn dan il-prodott im-
ma għandek issib minn
health shops ewlenin.
Dejjem inżommu ġisim-
na fi stat idratat sew
biex nevitaw li niġu de-
hydrated; dan billi nixor-
bu biżżejjed ilma frisk u
pur matul il-ġurnata.
Irridu nixorbu mill-anqas
2 litri ta’ ilma jew likwidi.
Qatt m’għandna nixor-
bu l-ilma eżatt wara ikla
għax inkella l-ikel ma
jiġix assorbit kif suppost.
Jien inħobb nibda l-
ġurnata bi ftit misħun
b’nofs lumija magħsura
fih. Dan jipprepara lill-
kliewi u l-fwied għal ġur-
nata ta’ affarijiet oħra li
ser nirċievu. Jekk forsi fix
-xitwa tippreferi xarbiet
sħan, tista’ tixrob herbal
teas.
filgħaxija imma bħala
snack filgħodu. Lanqas
m’għandek tieklu eżatt
wara xi ikla kbira għax
inkella l-ġisem iġġibu fi
stat aċiduz u ma jkunx
jista’ jiġi assorbit. Frott
tajjeb ħafna huma l-
cranberries għax ukoll
jevitawlek li taqbdek
infezzjoni fil-pipi. Meta
nixtru l-cranberries tal-
pakkett niċċekkjaw li
ma jkunx fih zokkor
għax jagħmel aktar
deni milli ġid. Dan jap-
plika għal kull frott ieħor
tal-pakkett.
Idejalment nieħdu
mgħarfa żejt taż-
żebbuġa kuljum, jew
ma’ xi salad frisk jew
direttament mill-
imgħarfa. Iż-żejt irid ikun
Extra Virgin u cold
pressed biex b’hekk ma
nieħdux żejt ip-
proċessat, bħal żejt
veġetali. Nevitaw l-użu
tal-butir. Hawnhekk ir-
ridu nitkellmu fuq kemm
hu importanti li nikkons-
maw l-omega 3. Din
insibuha speċjalment fil-
ħut żejtni imma hawn
irridu noqogħdu attenti
x’tip ta’ ħut nieklu. Is-
salamun hija l-iktar ħuta
tajba imma trid tkun
‘wild caught’ u mhux
dak ‘farmed’ bħal dak li
nsibu għand tal-
vannijiet. B’hekk f’dan il
-każ l-aħjar nixtru tal-
friża. Tajjeb ukoll li
nieħdu l-erringi u sardin
(imma evitaw jekk
għandek pressjoni
għolja). Jekk se tixtri tal-
bott, araw li jkun ġoż-
żejt taż-żebbuġa u
mhux veġetali. Hemm
dibattitu jekk għandniex
nieħdu tonn taż-żejt u
ta’ xi ħadd li sempliċi-
ment irid jonqos mill-piz
jew biex iżomm ruħu
b’saħħtu. Aħna ta' l-MS
għandna bżonn dieta u
stil ta’ ħajja speċjali.
F’dan il-każ mhux “you
are what you eat” IM-
MA “you are what you
eat and what you don’t
eat as well”. Ir-regola
hija li l-ġisem iġġibu fi
stat alkaline u m'hux
aċiduż. Il-paleo diet hija
tajba ħafna għal dan l-
iskop. U dan huwa dak
li skoprejt.
L-ewwel fil-lista li
m’għandniex nieklu hu-
wa l-qamħ (wheat),
kemm abjad kif ukoll
ismar. Il-qamħ ma
jagħmilx ġid fil-moħħ ta’
xi ħadd bl-MS. Hija ftit
diffiċli sakemm taddat-
ta għax kwazi il-qamħ
jidħol mhux biss fil-ħobż,
għaġin, pasti u kejkijiet
imma anke f’ċerti
ċerejali, zlazi, etc. Min-
flok tista’ tuza’ ross pre-
feribilment ismar. Fil-
bidu li tibda tnaqqas il-
qamħ, tibda tħossok
kwazi agħar milli tkun
bdejt għax it-toxins fix-
xaħam tal-ġisem jibdew
jinħallu u jiġru fid-demm
sakemm jiġu eleminati
mill-ġisem. Eventwal-
ment tibda tħossok
tajba u terġa' tiġik ftit l-
enerġija. Wara l-qamħ
importanti li nnaqqsu iz-
zokkor ipproċessat. Jekk
tiġik leblieba għal xi
ħaġa ħelwa, ħu frotta
jew żebbuġa minflok.
Importanti ħafna li jekk
tbati bid-diabete evita li
tieħu banana u xi frott
ieħor skont kif jindikalek
it-tabib. Il-frott qatt
m’għandu jittiekel tard
Jien, l-MS u kull ma nassorbi
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PAGNA 3 HARGA 29; SETTEMBRU 2014
Tkompli ...
Kemm jista’ jkun nevi-
taw li nippreparaw
ikliet fejn ikun hemm
proteini u karboidrati
flimkien; eżempju
laħam mal-patata jew
ross il-forn. Dan iġib il-
ġisem fi stat aċiduż.
Minflok nistgħu nieħdu
laħam bil-ħaxix
miegħu. Fix-xitwa,
m’hemmx aħjar minn
platt soppa msajra bi
ħxejjex friski. Evitaw id-
dadi totalment. Minflok
tistgħu tużaw ħxejjex
aromatiċi bħat-
turmeric, oregano jew
rosemary. Jekk tridu l-
platt xi ftit mielaħ użaw
il-pink salt flok il-melħ
normali. Dan huwa
melħ mhux ipproċessat
miġbur mill-muntanji tal
-Himalayas. Issibuh mill-
health shops ewlenin.
Tajjeb ħafna jekk nevi-
taw il-laħam tal-majjal
u b’aktar moderazjoni
tal-baqra. Imma tajjeb
ngħidu li il-laħam tal-
fenek, tal-ħaruf u tad-
dundjan huma sorsi
aħjar ta’ proteini. Nies li
għandhom l-MS ibatu
minn nuqqas ta’ vita-
mini u minerali bħal
Vitamina B12, D3 u
magnesium. Aħna
ixxurtjati li ngħixu f’art
bix-xemx kwazi s-sena
kollha imma jekk nid-
delku spiss b’ħafna
kremi, xorta mhux qed
inħallu x-xemx tippen-
etra f’ġisimna. Daqs 15
-il minuta kuljum f’xemx
diretta hija importanti.
Fis-Sajf nevitaw ix-xemx
ta’ bejn il-ħdax ta’
filgħodu u l-erbgħa ta’
wara nofsinhar.
kopru kif inkunu aktar
komdi matul din il-mixja
tagħna. Il-Bambin
magħkom.
Sylvia Bugeja
Waqt it-tiftix tiegħi
skoprejt ktieb ta’ Peter
D’Adamo jismu “Eat
right for your type” u
dan tefagħni f’dinja
oħra ta’ skoperti.
Skoprejt li għalkemm
hemm dieta ġenerali
għal kull tip ta’ marda
kronika importanti
nieklu skont x’inhu t-tip
ta’ demm tagħna. Sibt
li dawk blood group
type B, importanti li jev-
itaw ikel li normalment
jitqies tajjeb, bħal
tiġieġ u ġunġlien.
Il-ħalib tal-baqra huwa
għadu ieħor għan-nies
bl-MS. Hemm alternat-
tivi oħra bħal ħalib tar-
ross u soya. Minn hawn
u minn hemm dejjem
ser ikollna platt imħaw-
war tajjeb allavolja
hemm affarijiet li ma
nistgħux nieklu.
Hemm ħafna xi tgħid u
aktar u aktar x’titgħal-
lem fuq din il-
kundizzjoni kronika im-
ma sadanittant jien
dejjem ngħid li dieta
tajba u ftit eżerċizzji
ħfief qatt m’għamlu
ħazin lil ħadd. Eżerċizzji
ta’ rilassament tistgħu
tipprovaw il-Yoga jew
Tai Chi fejn jgħinuk
iżżomm ukoll il-bilanċ
tal-ġisem.
Nieħu gost jekk xi ħadd
li qed jaqra dan l-
artiklu u sabu inter-
essanti, jikkuntatjawni
billi jkellmu lis-segretarja
jew il-president ta' l-
Għaqda.
Nemmen li flimkien nist-
għu ngħinu lil xulxin nis-
Laqgħa ma’ Dr. Parnis Psychologist
PAGNA 3 HARGA 29; SETTEMBRU 2014
Laqgħa ma’ Mr James Muscat Nutritionist
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PAGNA 4 MS BULLETIN
Launching of MS sub-committee in Gozo
The meeting was held on Saturday 8th February 2014 in the Ministry for Gozo, Pjazza San Frangisk, Victo-ria, Gozo. Present for the occasion were Carmen Muscat, Pres-ident MS Malta, Audrey Micallef, Committee Mem-ber, Sandy Apap, Gozo sub-committee Chairperson, Marthese Mugliett Presi-dent of Malta Federation of People Disability MOFPD, the Hon Dr Anton Refalo and the Hon Dr Franco Mercieca.
Sandy Apap on behalf of the Gozo sub-committee made an opening speech. She spoke about her fight for the past 23 years against MS and dealing with the symptoms on a daily basis. She outlined the difficulties the Gozitans face in having to travel should they wish to attend meetings in Malta. Of special mention are the rough seas. The importance of the family’s support not to give up in spite of limita-tions, difficulties and the psychological problems MS presents and to be under-stood. The enthusiasm and idea of having a Gozo sub-committee to participate, force in numbers, to hold meetings about MS devel-opments, fund raising and invite experts. To get to know each other, co-operate, work to better ser-vices and work. She stressed the importance of recognising MS symptoms and difficulties.
Ms Carmen Muscat, on behalf of the MS Society Malta related how she had been contacted by Ms Sandy Apap, who wished to set up a sub-committee in
Gozo. Ms Carmen Muscat said that she welcomed a Gozo sub-committee and outlined that the Society had been in existence for the past 16 years offering therapy to its members. Due to low funds, therapy was now being offered once a week. The Society spends €18,000 every year on physiotherapy and offers guidance and support to many families. The members feel com-fortable meeting others in the same situation. The Society has a facebook page and website to keep members informed about events and developments. She outlined the im-portance of having the Gozo sub-committee, which would provide a point of reference for Gozitan families living with MS.
The problems Gozitan MS patients face were different. Although being members of the Society, the Gozitans were not fully aware of what was going on in Malta. The importance for all organi-zations to support each other as well as patients’ rights related to health and work matters was
mentioned. Those present were informed that the Society was a member of the EMSP and of the MFOPD, which supports employment and health in all fields. Ms Sandy Apap introduced the other 3 members of the Gozo sub-committee and said that meetings were to be held not only to discuss poli-cies but also to be updated with current information. She said that any articles coming to light would be passed on. Since MS af-fects everybodydifferent-ly, every person has their individual rights.
Ms Sandy Apap invited the public to put forward their views and went on to mention the fact that pa-tients were often not un-derstood properly as Mul-tiple Sclerosis includes many hidden symp-tomsand one can’t make comparisons. Patients needed to insist on their rights. The public brought to light the following problems: the need for a Medical advisor within the Gozo General Hospi-tal; trained staff to deal with MS patients’ needs - especially when adminis-tering the treatment re-
quired; video conferenc-ing; financial assistance for installation of lifts in homes and the need for more blue badges (sticker). Ms Sandy Apap spoke about her personal experience on the matter and outlined the shortfalls she encountered. Ms Car-men Muscat expressed her disappointment that the idea of having an MS trained nurse did not seem to have materialized as the EMSP did not offer the required training. Ms Sandy Apap mentioned the importance of patients keeping their appoint-ments, the need to once again have a visiting neu-rologist, having air condi-tioning in work places and a subsidy on electricity for MS patients to be able to deal with the heat, which worsens MS symptoms. A problem was that in many cases, MS was a hidden disability and not visible. Ms. Muscat men-tioned the fact that in 2014, the Society would not be receiving any fund-ing from the Community Chest Fund as funds were only being given for par-ticular projects.
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PAGNA 5 HARGA 29; SETTEMBRU 2014
Continued ...
The Hon Dr Anton Refalo said that the Society was to put forward these problems in point form. He outlined the importance of there being feedback and that the Government’s main priority was the provision of work as this was one’s right. He mentioned the Cen-tru Santa Marta, which was set up to receive people with disability from the age of 14. He said that problems had to be identified and a list of priorities made keeping in mind that the problems in Gozo differed fromthose in Malta. He said that the Government was ready to help financially.
Ms Sandy Apap said that there should be cross training in treat-ments, administration of medi-cines and availability of consult-ants. In Gozo there are about 20 MS patients.
The Hon Dr Franco Mercieca
mentioned that Consultants will have a clause which states that they would have to come to Gozo. He said that blue stickers were being abused of and spoke about how treatment had advanced and that Gilen-yawould hopefully be offered in April or May 2014.
Ms Sandy Apap,
Ms Carmen Muscat,
Ms Marthese Mugliett
Many people may think
that being healthy
means not beng sick.
Or maybe if the person
looks normal, s/he is
healthy. There is much
more than that to good
health. Sometimes we
see a person feeling
sad. Will that person
be healthy?
Health and
Well-being
Health is a
combination of physical, intellectual, emotional and social well-being. A healthy
person feels good about himself/herself and get along with
others well.
Physical Health
1. Includes total care of
your body and meeting
the demands of life each
day.
2. Keeping your body fit
and eating a well
balanced diet.
3. Includes knowing and
practising good habits.
Social Health
1. Gets along well with
others and working
well in a group.
2. Making and keeping
friends.
3. Giving and getting
support when it is
needed.
Intellectual Health
1. Being able to learn.
2. Instil in yourself certain
skills.
3. Evaluate and reflect.
4. Give opinions
Emotional Health
1. Liking who you are
and accepting
yourself.
2. Expressing your
emotions in a healthy
way.
3. Facing life’s problems
and dealing with
pressure.
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PAGNA 6 MS BULLETIN
12 Steps to Healthy Eating
D
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A
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Y
G
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D
E
L
I
N
E
S
Eat a nutritious diet based on a variety of foods originating mainly from plants rather than animals.
Eat bread, grains, pasta, rice or potatoes several times per day.
Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits, preferably fresh and local several times per day.
Maintain body weight between the recommended limits by taking moderate levels of physical activity, preferably daily.
Control fat intake (not more than 30% of daily energy) and replace most saturated fats with
unsaturated vegetable oils.
Replace fatty meat and meat products with beans, legumes, lentils, fish, poultry or lean meat.
Use milk and dairy products that are low in both fat and salt.
Select foods that are low in sugar, limiting the frequency of sugary drinks and sweets.
Choose a low salt diet. Total salt intake should not be more than 6g per day including the salt in
preserved foods.
If alcohol is consumed, limit intake to no more than 2 drinks (each containing 10g of alcohol) per day.
Prepare food in a safe and hygienic way. Steam, bake, boil or microwave to help reduce the amount of added fat.
Don’t forget to drink 2 - 3 litres of water everyday.
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PAGNA 7 HARGA 29; SETTEMBRU 2014
Pasta Night
Photos taken throughout the year During fund raising activities
Car Wash -June
MS Walk
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PAGNA 8 MS BULLETIN
L- għarfien fuq il-Multiple Sclerosis
Sklerożi Multipla, bl-Ingliż Multiple Sclerosis f’Malta s’issa nafu li hawn madwar 320 ruħ.
B’danakollu teżisti soċjeta’ biex tagħti kull għajnuna lil min hu milqut minnha. Il-kundizzjoni
sa ftit snin ilu peress li kienet rari, kienet injorata f’dak li hu għarfien u tagħrif fuqha. F’dan l-
artiklu se naraw kif żviluppa l-għarfien tal-MS f’pajjiżi oħra.
Meta wieħed jifli ftit l-istorja medika għandu jsib li l-MS m’hiex kundizzjoni moderna. Anzi,
aktar ma jgħaddi ż-żmien aktar qed niskopru fuq l-istorja ta’ din il-kundizzjoni li kif jidher ilha
teżisti għal perjodu twil ta’ snin, jekk mhux eluf. Nibdew biex ngħidu li s-sintomi ta’ l-MS huma
dokumentati sew fil-letteratura u sew fil-poeżija Ingliża. Għalkemm jidher sew li l-istorja
tagħha m’hiex ċara biżżejjed, la għandha bidu u wisq anqas tmiem. Tant li mhux facli li taqbad
tarf, aktarx hi bħal storja ta’ taħbil il-moħħ, b’seklu ta’ misteri li n-newroloġisti ilhom snin
jgħaqqdu flimkien biċċa biċċa. Hawn nistgħu ngħidu li kien biss f’dawn l-aħħar snin li x-xjentisti
għamlu progress f’dak li hu dijanjosi u trattament għaliha.
L-MS bħala kundizzjoni speċifika Minn rapporti mediċi jidher li l-kundizzjoni MS kienet xjentifikament deskritta fil-bidu tas-
seklu 19 fejn minn riċerki fuq awtopsji li bdew isiru fil-bidu tas-sena 1838, ġiet stabbilita b’mod
ċar l-MS. B’danakollu kien għadu kmieni biex it-tobba setgħu jagħtu spjegazzjoni ċara fuqha.
L-Iskoperta tal-“Myelin” Il-bniedem dejjem ikompli jiskopri u fis-sena 1916 Dr. James Dawson skopra mikroskopju li bih
seta’ jagħmel eżamijiet dettaljati fuq l-imħuħ ta’ persuni li kellhom l-MS. Hawn wera l-
inflammazzjoni u l-ħsara fil-“Myelin”, dik il-qoxra jew kisja xaħam ta’ fuq in-nervituri. Iżda
b’danakollu Dr. Dawson naqas li jispjega l-kawża ta’ din il-ħsara.
Il-ħtieġa ta’ twaqqif għal soċjeta’ L-ewwel soċjeta’ nazzjonali ta’ l-MS kienet twaqqfet fl-Istati Uniti fis-sena 1946 minn Syliva
Lawry. Fil-Brittanja, is-soċjeta’ ta’ l-MS twaqqfet fi-sena 1953 minn Sir Richard Cave. F’Malta s-
soċjeta’ ta’ l-MS twaqqfet fis-sena 1997 minn Dr. Norbert Vella.
Rose Grech
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PAGNA 9 HARGA 29; SETTEMBRU 2014
Persons with MS are known to encounter various benefits and barriers which can motivate or discourage them from engaging in physical activity (PA). This study aimed to identify perceived benefits and barriers to PA by PwMS via the use of the exercise benefits/barriers scale (EBBS). The study also aimed to investigate whether perceived benefits and barriers in persons with MS of different mobility levels are significantly different. 71.9% of adults in Malta were found to be physically inactive according to a study conducted by Hallal et al. in 2012. Persons with MS are known to have PA levels which are below those of the general population. Decreased PA levels are known to have various negative effects on health, including increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, and general physical deconditioning. This, in combination with the various effects MS can have on wellbeing, could lead to decreased quality of life. Increased PA levels have been associated with positive effects in persons with MS, including decreased levels of depression and fatigue, and improved quality of life and physical function. The ability to walk and engage in normal daily routines was also found to improve
following participation in physical activity. In addition, studies have shown that PA and exercise do not cause MS exacerbations and lead to no foreseeable consequences, when conducted properly. Questionnaires were distributed and persons with MS were asked to identify perceived benefits and barriers to engaging in PA. The results of this study were very similar to those of previous studies conducted on the same topic by other authors in different countries. The main perceived benefits were related to physical performance and preventive health, while the main perceived barriers were related to physical exertion, time expenditure, and the exercise environment. In addition, persons who were wheelchair users identified the most barriers to PA, followed by users of other aids (such as a stick or rollator), and those who use no aid identified the least barriers and most benefits. There were found to be various significant relations between benefits and barriers identified through the study, perhaps the most significant being that improvements in physical performance and life enhancement were related to decreased physical exertion. Physical performance and life enhancement both increase as the person
engages in more PA. This thus supports findings by previous authors that as the person engages in more PA, fitness levels, mental wellbeing, and quality of life are expected to increase, and there is an associated decrease in fatigue and physical deconditioning. There are various sources of information to help persons with MS engage in PA. The MS Trust in the UK offers free PA programmes specifically designed for persons with MS (www.mstrust.org.uk). Local physiotherapists are also well-trained to offer advice and support. Group activities and discussions are encouraged. It is essential for Persons with MS to have high motivation and a good support network to enjoy the best possible life. The more confident the person feels in their ability to engage in PA, the more likely they are to be physically active.
Daniela Spiteri Fiteni The author would like to thank the MS Society and all its members for their help & cooperation while this study was being conducted.
The Perceived Benefits and Barriers to Physical Activity
in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis in Malta
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PAGNA 10 MS BULLETIN
Sleep and melatonin
Sleep is important for all people, and even more for those with MS. When we get very little sleep, we feel tired and weak, and find it difficult to stay awake and concentrate. That is a prob-lem, but it is only a sign of other problems.
When we're asleep, the body does not use energy to fight or move, and it uses the opportunity to fight infections and manufac-ture hormones. People who do not get 7 - 9 hours of sleep a day are at much higher risk of heart attack, diabetes, early memory decline and several other diseas-es. Melatonin is a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory molecule, and is therefore im-portant in keeping us healthy. Melatonin is also an important factor in getting a good night's sleep, and the body produces more of it when it is dark. This is why we often stay awake when the lights are on, and go to sleep when it is dark. It is actually the blue wave-lengths that trigger the drop in melatonin, since we usually see blue skies in the morning. Artifi-cial lighting from neon tubes, TVs and computer monitors, can
therefore disrupt the production of melatonin. One way of avoiding that problem is to turn off the bright lights, TV and electronic devices, and go to bed. An-other way is to wear yellow laborato-ry glasses, since the yellow glass stops blue light from reaching our eyes. I managed to get yellow lab glasses from levolab.com in Mriehel Industrial Estate for less than € 10, but phone beforehand to make sure that they have some in stock. In the morning, try to look at the blue sky, so your body will stop producing melatonin. If you leave any lights on at night (in case you need to use the toilet) it's best to make them yellow lights. It is also possible to take mel-atonin pills 1 to 3 hours before you plan on sleeping, but it is better to turn off (or block) the blue light. (Information for this article was taken from "The Wahls Protocol", a book written by a professor of medicine who has MS.) Alastair Farrugia
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PAGNA 11 HARGA 29; SETTEMBRU 2014
Preżentazzjoni ta’ donazzjoni mill-Fratellanza Karmelitana Żurrieq
Kuncert Marci Funebri ta’ Giezu r-Rabat
MS Fatigue
F atigue is the most common MS symptom and, in conjunction with pain, is the most frustrating for people to manage. It is unpredictable and invisible and is often misattributed, not to the MS disease process, but to depression, denial, disinterest, self-pity, disorganization, poor planning or just plain laziness. As many as 90 percent of people with MS have fatigue–probably half of them expe-rience it every day. One third of people with MS describe it as their most trouble-some symptom. Fatigue is a frequent cause of disability. Fatigue is difficult to define because it is a collection of different symptoms that vary in frequency and intensity. Although fa-tigue is a big problem, it is a slightly dif-ferent problem for each person who has it, so it is difficult to measure and therefore difficult to study.
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Editur: Tatiana Muscat Typesetting u diżinn: Tatiana Muscat
Mitbugħ: Mr Jesmond Arpa, Five Star Printing Ltd.
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Malta, Address: PO Box 63, B’Kara BKR1000 Tel: (+356) 27 806 127
E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.msmalta.org.mt
SMS: 5061 8941 For € 6.99 donation
Bank Account:Swift Code (HSBC Bank Malta P.L.C.) : MMEBMTMT
IBAN: MT97MMEB44163000000016196495050
www.facebook.com/MultipleSclerosisSocietyOfMalta
Benefactors’s List 2014
Malta Community Chest Fund HSBC Trustees
Stephanie Micallef and her team who took part in the Malta Marathon Matthew Ellul
St Joseph school, Blata l-Bajda Edmond Buhagiar
Alf. Mizzi Foundation Carmel Farrugia
BHS Lombard Bank Sliema
Expressions Ta’ Giezu Concert - Rabat (Memoriam Team)
47 Summer Nights (pasta night) Wirja tal-vari / magazine adverts
Concert held in Mosta at Razzett Markis Mallia Tabone Consolidated Biscuits
Marsovin B4 Textiles Fgura
Paradise Bay Hotel Felice Pharmacy Zabbar
Fornaio Zabbar A.P.E Zabbar
Polymer Pharmacy Zabbar Tal-Karmnu Fratellenza Zurrieq
Prime Ltd Smart Offices
Irish Emerald Society Claudette Chetcuti