BY  ESTHER ONYEGBULA

With almost zero knowledge of movement disorders such as Multiple System Atrophy, MSA, amongst Nigerians, the Funmiayo Fashina Foundation, FFF, has canvassed  support was key to patients coping psychologically and emotionally even as they called for a support system for sufferers.

Associate Professor and Consultant Neurologist, Dr. Njideka Okubadejo, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, said in Nigeria, 60, 000 to 70, 000 Nigerians have MSA. But more worrisome is that most of the patients remained undiagnosed while many do not receive any form of treatment. MSA is a progressive neurological disorder that affects adult men and women in their 50s and 60s.

“To recognize MSA, one of the early symptoms is that the patient has difficulty with movement, slowness or shaking like in Parkinson disease. Also, there is dizziness when the patient is standing and there may be urinary problem and complicated constipation.  People with MSA are diagnosed and treated by neurologist, physical therapist nurses and psychologists.”

Canvassing total support for patients during a 10-kilometre rustee member of the Foundation, Ajibade Fashina said the condition could be overwhelming as such those who provide support may also need external support.

“Support is key to the patient, emotionally and psychologically, considering  that sometimes the aliment could be overwhelming.”

Drawing from his late wife’s experience he said the patient may not be able to carry out some certain duties without being assisted. He lamented continued misunderstanding about  the ailment and said the only way of correcting such misconceptions was to intensify the level of awareness among the people, including doctors

“Having noticed the shallow knowledge of the disease, we  organises training for doctors to increase their level of awareness and also empower them on symptoms to look out for. Sometimes, they see those symptoms and ascribe them to something else.  We have trained 126 doctors and nurses on how to best manage the disease,” he said.

Okubadejo  said there is currently no cure for MSA; adding that treatments are available to help people cope with some of the symptoms.