What is National MS Education and Awareness Month?
National MS Education and Awareness Month is an effort by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF) and affiliated groups to raise the public's awareness of multiple sclerosis. The vital goals of this campaign are to promote an understanding of the scope of this disease, and to assist those with MS in making educated decisions about their healthcare.
Symptoms of MS
Common symptoms of MS include fatigue, weakness, spasticity, balance problems, bladder and bowel problems, numbness, vision loss, tremors and depression.
Not all symptoms affect all MS patients. No two persons have the same complaints; no one develops all of the symptoms.
Symptoms may be persistent or may cease from time to time. Most patients have episodic patterns of attacks and remissions throughout the disease course. Symptoms may remit completely, leaving no residual damage, or partially leaving degrees of permanent impairment.
March 7-13
National Problem Gambling Awareness Week
Research finds that 2%-3% of the US population will have a gambling problem in any given year.
That’s 6 million to 9 million Americans yet only a small fraction seek out services, such as treatment and self-help recovery programs.
“This is the first generation of youth to be exposed to relatively
easy access to a variety of gambling venues, widespread gambling
advertising, and to pervasive social approval for an inherently risky activity.”
Gambling and Family Issues
Problem gambling adversely affects the family of the gambler in a number of ways because of the problem gambler's altered behavior, dishonesty and manipulation.
Older Adults Facts
Seniors are fastest growing group of gamblers between 1974 and 1989
(Gambling Impact and Behavior Study 1999)
Seniors gamble for social interaction, emotional escape, excitement of living on edge, independence, self esteem and monetary winning episodes
