How much do you know about the neurological condition multiple sclerosis? Try this quiz to see if you can distinguish between fact and fiction.
How much do you know about the neurological condition multiple sclerosis? Try this quiz to see if you can distinguish between fact and fiction.
Info
Info
Multiple sclerosis is said to be the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults. About 85,000 UK citizens have it with 10,000 living in Scotland. Try this quiz to distinguish MS fact from MS fiction.
Multiple sclerosis is said to be the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults. About 85,000 UK citizens have it with 10,000 living in Scotland. Try this quiz to distinguish MS fact from MS fiction.
1.) True or False
1.) True or False
Multiple sclerosis is fatal
Multiple sclerosis is fatal.
TRUE
- Multiple sclerosis will kill you
FALSE
- Multiple sclerosis will not kill you
TRUE.
FALSE.
2.) True or false
2.) True or false
If you have MS you will eventually need a wheelchair
If you have MS you will eventually need a wheelchair.
TRUE
- you will eventually need a wheelchair
FALSE
- no you will not necessarily need a wheelchair
TRUE.
FALSE.
3.) Multiple Choice Question
3.) Multiple Choice Question
Which of the following causes MS?
Which of the following causes MS?
A bad diet
Having
measles as a child
Muscle
spasms
Scotland's
bad weather
A bad diet.
Having
measles as a child.
Muscle
spasms.
Scotland's
bad weather.
4.) Multiple Choice Question
4.) Multiple Choice Question
Which of these places has one of the lowest rates of MS in the world?
Which of these places has one of the lowest rates of MS in the world?
Orkney, Scotland
Johannesburg,
South Africa
Reykjavik,
Iceland
Helsinki,
Finland
Orkney, Scotland.
Johannesburg,
South Africa.
Reykjavik,
Iceland.
Helsinki,
Finland.
5.) Multiple Choice Question
5.) Multiple Choice Question
Which of the following can halt the symptoms of MS?
Which of the following can halt the symptoms of MS?
Moving to a warmer climate
Becoming
pregnant
Bed
rest
Exercise
Moving to a warmer climate.
Becoming
pregnant.
Bed
rest.
Exercise.
6.) Multiple Choice Question
6.) Multiple Choice Question
Which of these are symptoms of MS?
Which of these are symptoms of MS?
Mood swings
Depression
Paralysis
All
of the above
Mood swings.
Depression.
Paralysis.
All
of the above.
7.) Multiple Choice Question
7.) Multiple Choice Question
Which part of the body is damaged as a result of MS?
Which part of the body is damaged as a result of MS?
The fatty tissue surrounding the nerves in the brain
The
skeleton
The
skeletal muscles
The fatty tissue surrounding the nerves in the brain.
The
skeleton.
The
skeletal muscles.
8.) True or false
8.) True or false
It's obvious when someone has MS - you could easily spot them at work or in the street because the symptoms are easily recognised
It is obvious when someone has MS - you could easily spot them at work or in the street because the symptoms are easily recognised.
TRUE
- Yes, you can spot people with MS
FALSE
- No, you cannot easily spot people with MS
TRUE
FALSE
9.) True or false
9.) True or false
MS is more common the further from the equator
MS is more common the further from the equator.
TRUE
- MS is more common further from the equator
FALSE
- MS is not more common further from the equator
TRUE.
FALSE.
10.) True or false
10.) True or false
If you're a woman you're more likely to develop MS
If you're a woman you're more likely to develop MS.
FALSE
- a man is more likely to have MS
TRUE
- a woman is more likely to have MS
FALSE.
TRUE.
Answers
Answers
The condition will not kill you
The
effects of MS are very unpredictable. For some the disease will progress to the point where they need to use a wheelchair, but for most, this is not the case
MS
could be triggered by your genes, but scientists believe you have to meet another event as well. This could be a childhood illness, or lack of vitamin D, but no-one knows for sure
Of
the places listed, South Africa has the lowest rate of MS, at 3.5 people per 100,000. Orkney has the highest rate of MS, with an estimated rate of 309 per 100,000
A
recent study in Canada discovered that pregnant women reported that their relapses disappeared during pregnancy, though returned after giving birth
These
are all symptoms of MS, but as MS affects every individual differently, not everyone with MS will have these symptoms
In
MS myelin, the fatty tissue covering the nerves, becomes frayed. This causes inflammation of the nerves and leaves lesions. The damage means that nerve impulses from the brain to the body are slowed and the messages become confused
Many
people with MS don't reveal they have the disease to many of their friends or colleagues. The outward signs of MS may be subtle
MS
is more prevalent on regions north of 40 degrees latitude. It's relatively common in Britain, North America, Canada and Scandanavia and almost unheard of in places like Malaysia or Equador. But conversely, MS is almost unknown among Inuit in the Arctic or Yakuts in Siberia
Three
women have MS to every two men. The disease is most frequently diagnosed in pre-menopausal women, but when it's detected later in life, equal numbers of men and women are affected
The condition will not kill you.
The
effects of MS are very unpredictable. For some the disease will progress to the point where they need to use a wheelchair, but for most, this is not the case.
MS
could be triggered by your genes, but scientists believe you have to meet another event as well. This could be a childhood illness, or lack of vitamin D, but no-one knows for sure.
Of
the places listed, South Africa has the lowest rate of MS, at 3.5 people per 100,000. Orkney has the highest rate of MS, with an estimated rate of 309 per 100,000.
A
recent study in Canada discovered that pregnant women reported that their relapses disappeared during pregnancy, though returned after giving birth.
These
are all symptoms of MS, but as MS affects every individual differently, not everyone with MS will have these symptoms.
In
MS myelin, the fatty tissue covering the nerves, becomes frayed. This causes inflammation of the nerves and leaves lesions. The damage means that nerve impulses from the brain to the body are slowed and the messages become confused.
Many
people with MS don't reveal they have the disease to many of their friends or colleagues. The outward signs of MS may be subtle.
MS
is more prevalent on regions north of 40 degrees latitude. It's relatively common in Britain, North America, Canada and Scandanavia and almost unheard of in places like Malaysia or Equador. But conversely, MS is almost unknown among Inuit in the Arctic or Yakuts in Siberia.
Three
women have MS to every two men. The disease is most frequently diagnosed in pre-menopausal women, but when it's detected later in life, equal numbers of men and women are affected.
Your Score
Your Score
0 - 1 : You've too easily accepted the myths of MS
0 - 1 : You've too easily accepted the myths of MS.
2 - 5 : Read more on the topic, and try the quiz again
2 - 5 : Read more on the topic, and try the quiz again.
6 - 10 : Well done, you recognise the facts of MS
6 - 10 : Well done, you recognise the facts of MS.
There is more about multiple sclerosis and the apparent Scottish link in Elizabeth Quigley's television investigation "Scotland's Hidden Epidemic: The truth about MS", which will be broadcast on BBC One Scotland at 2245 BST on Wednesday.
There is more about multiple sclerosis and the apparent Scottish link in Elizabeth Quigley's television investigation "Scotland's Hidden Epidemic: The truth about MS", which will be broadcast on BBC One Scotland at 2245 BST on Wednesday.
