31/03/2026
๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ก
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๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐๐ค๐ฃ
To acquire a disease is one thing, but to learn that the disease has no cure is another. This March is dedicated to multiple sclerosis awareness, an autoimmune disease mainly affecting the central nervous system and is stillโwith any other autoimmune disease alikeโuncurable.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often unnoticeable autoimmune disease which damages the central nervous system (CNS), particularly the myelin sheath which protects the neurons. Several symptoms include numbness, fatigue, mobility problems, and vision issues. There are four types of multiple sclerosis:
โข Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) - premature MS seen through early symptoms.
โข Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) - most common manifestation of MS through multiple flare-ups of identified symptoms.
โข Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) - worsened state of RRMS with less likeliness of remission or elimination of symptoms.
โข Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) - progressive manifestations of MS symptoms that gradually worsen overtime with no periods of clear relapses or remission.
With this, there exist several ways of preventing the onset of the disease such as getting ample amounts of Vitamin D daily, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a balanced diet. Mitigation for multiple sclerosis includes disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) like ocrelizumab to slow relapse, therapy (physical, speech, or occupational), and mental health counseling.
In the Philippines, there are approximately 2,989 people living with MS (1 in 36,000 people). The most common type of MS among diagnosed Filipinos is the Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). However, studies suggest that the low number of recorded cases is primarily caused by limited healthcare workers focusing on the field with the neurologist-to-patient ratio of 1:175,000. Geographic factors are also considered since nearly half of neurologists mainly practice in the National Capital Region (NCR).
This multiple sclerosis awareness month, the Alliance of the Philippine Pre-Medical Society not only recognizes the disease but also challenges the Philippine healthcare system for a proper, systematic, and just resource allocation for the autoimmune disease. APPSOC rallies behind the backs of every Filipino people for a quality, scientific, and mass-oriented healthcare system.
