In a podcast hosted by Applegate, she shared her struggles with depression as a multiple sclerosis patient. She expressed feeling trapped in darkness, something she hadn’t experienced in over 20 years. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease where immune system white blood cells attack the myelin sheath around the central nervous system, impairing nerve signal transmission. As more cells are damaged, neurological disorders worsen.
This disease is a common cause of disability among young people, typically appearing between ages 20 and 40 and affecting women twice as often as men. In Israel, around 5,000 people have multiple sclerosis, with about 100 new diagnoses each year. Symptoms include tingling sensations, motor weakness, paralysis, vision problems, balance issues, and more. Efforts to develop innovative treatments like antibodies preventing immune system attacks on myelin have led to symptom relief and disease progression halting sometimes preventing disability.
However, patients can still face risks like infections and respiratory failure. It’s crucial to raise awareness about this disease and support ongoing research for better treatment options. Well-known figures like basketball coach David Blatt who has the progressive form of multiple sclerosis benefit from biological treatments that slow deterioration. Even though disability can develop within 15-20 years after onset, innovative treatments offer hope for patients.
