Committee members of the MS Society of Malta 2014 In This Issue:

Articles

Sub-committee

Gozo

Events

Health well-being

HARGA 29; SETTEMBRU 2014

MS Bulletin

A word from the Editor

Welcome all to this year’s bulletin. Hope you all enjoy the summer, but make sure to be protected from the UV rays. Hope to see a lot of new people coming to the Society’s activities and meetings.

A word from the committee members

Kif naħseb li innutajtu din is-sena qegħdin norganizzaw ħafna attiv-itajiet, biex b’hekk ikollna biex inħallsu t-terapija. Aħna nixtiequ li s-sezzjonijiet tat-terapija jerġgħu jiġu kif kienu qabel ta’ darbtejn f’ġimgħa. Napprezzaw ħafna l-parteċipazzjoni tagħkom u l-appoġġ li tistgħu tagħtu f’dawn l-attivitajiet. Din is-sena minbarra l-ikliet żiedna ukoll car wash u hemm il-ħsieb li nerġgħu nagħmlu oħra fix-xhur li ġejjin. Nixtieqilkom is-sajf it-tajjeb. - Carmen Muscat

MS is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nerv-ous system, that is the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. The de-velopment, gravity and specific symptoms of the disease are unpre-dictable and tend to differ depending on the individual. Yet despite certain uncertainties and fears, one should not let themselves get defeated. One has to have a positive attitude to combat it – you need to create the drive within yourself to fight it and carry on. Do not let yourself give up, or give in! - Kenneth Muscat

Il-kumitat sikwit jiltaqa’ sabiex flimkien nieħdu l-aħjar deċiżjonijiet, għall-għaqda tagħna. Irridu nkunu aħna l-membri tas-Soċjeta’ li nistinkaw favur kuxjenza akbar dwar l-MS. L-appoġġ tagħkom ikom-pli jqawwielna qalbna sabiex inkomplu bil-ħidma tagħna. Nawguralkhom sajf mimli saħħa u kuntentizza! - Louise Zahra Nixtieq nappella lill-membri kollha biex kemm jista’ jkun jibdew jattendu, kemm għal-laqgħat li jkollna kif ukoll għall-attivitajiet li jiġu organizzati minn żmien għall-ieħor, permezz ta’ dawn l-attivitajiet jinġabru fondi li tkunu tistgħu tibbenifikaw minnhom inthom ukoll. - Alexander Degabriele

Carmen Muscat - President Kenneth Muscat - Vice-President

Louise Zahra - Secretary Therese Agius - Treasurer

Alastair Farrugia - PRO Alexander Degabriele -

Photographer

Audrey Micallef - Membru Stephanie Micallef - Membru

Mary Buhagiar - Membru Emmanuel Buhagiar - Membru

PAGNA 2 MS BULLETIN

Għeżież membri,

merħba. Din hija l-

ewwel darba tiegħi li

qed nikteb artiklu għal

din ir-rivista u bi pjaċir

ngħid li ħassejt il-bżonn li

nagħmel dan. Ir-raġuni

hija li mindu sirt naf li

għandi l-MS, saru ħafna

bidliet f’ħajti mingħajr

ma ridt.

L-ewwelnett kien ta’

xokk għalija x’ħin sirt naf

bl-aħbar, għax jien

bniedma normalment

attiva, speċjalment fejn

jidħol l-użu tal-moħħ u t-

tieni ma stajtx nifhem kif

is-sistema immunitarja

tiegħi setgħet tagħmel

affarijiet mingħajr jien

ma kont qed

inġiegħlha,meta din

suppost taħdem favori-

ja u mhux kontrija.

Hawnhekk bdiet il-

battalja miegħi nnifsi

jekk għandix nieħu l-

mediċini li offrewli jew

le. Kienet deċiżjoni kbira

għalija onestament;

imma min-naħa l-oħra

jien bniedma li nem-

men ħafna fi kliem in-

nanniet fejn dejjem

jisħqu biex nitfejqu b’af-

farijiet naturali kif

bagħathomlna l-

Bambin. U minn hawn

bdiet il-mixja tiegħi ma' l

-MS.

Mela bdejt bl-ewwel

pass. Xtrajt kotba u lit-

teralment tkissirt fuq l-

internet infittex għal

soluzzjonijiet biex nis-

kopri x’hemm tajjeb u

x’m'hemmx. Jissemmew

ħafna dieti imma mid-

dehra dieta apposta

għall-MS hi waħda

partikolari u mhux bħal

ħut simili peress li fih ħaf-

na merkurju. Fi studji li

saru nstab li nies li jbatu

bl-MS għandhom kwan-

tita’ ta’ toxins fihom.

Dan jista’ jiġi ikkaġunat

kemm mill-arja imniġġsa

ta’ barra, mill-pestiċidi li

jkun hemm mal-frott u l-

ħaxix, ħut ‘farmed’, kif

ukoll mis-silver amalgam

fillings ġo ħalqna. Jien

iddeċidejt li nibdel

dawn il-fillings għal

dawk bojod biex nevita

kull eventwalita’ ta’ tox-

ins li nista’ nibla’ maż-

żmien. Prodott ieħor im-

portanti ħafna li nik-

konsmaw huwa is-

seaweed (algae).

Hawn Malta hija xi ftit

problema biex nieħdu

minn dan il-prodott im-

ma għandek issib minn

health shops ewlenin.

Dejjem inżommu ġisim-

na fi stat idratat sew

biex nevitaw li niġu de-

hydrated; dan billi nixor-

bu biżżejjed ilma frisk u

pur matul il-ġurnata.

Irridu nixorbu mill-anqas

2 litri ta’ ilma jew likwidi.

Qatt m’għandna nixor-

bu l-ilma eżatt wara ikla

għax inkella l-ikel ma

jiġix assorbit kif suppost.

Jien inħobb nibda l-

ġurnata bi ftit misħun

b’nofs lumija magħsura

fih. Dan jipprepara lill-

kliewi u l-fwied għal ġur-

nata ta’ affarijiet oħra li

ser nirċievu. Jekk forsi fix

-xitwa tippreferi xarbiet

sħan, tista’ tixrob herbal

teas.

filgħaxija imma bħala

snack filgħodu. Lanqas

m’għandek tieklu eżatt

wara xi ikla kbira għax

inkella l-ġisem iġġibu fi

stat aċiduz u ma jkunx

jista’ jiġi assorbit. Frott

tajjeb ħafna huma l-

cranberries għax ukoll

jevitawlek li taqbdek

infezzjoni fil-pipi. Meta

nixtru l-cranberries tal-

pakkett niċċekkjaw li

ma jkunx fih zokkor

għax jagħmel aktar

deni milli ġid. Dan jap-

plika għal kull frott ieħor

tal-pakkett.

Idejalment nieħdu

mgħarfa żejt taż-

żebbuġa kuljum, jew

ma’ xi salad frisk jew

direttament mill-

imgħarfa. Iż-żejt irid ikun

Extra Virgin u cold

pressed biex b’hekk ma

nieħdux żejt ip-

proċessat, bħal żejt

veġetali. Nevitaw l-użu

tal-butir. Hawnhekk ir-

ridu nitkellmu fuq kemm

hu importanti li nikkons-

maw l-omega 3. Din

insibuha speċjalment fil-

ħut żejtni imma hawn

irridu noqogħdu attenti

x’tip ta’ ħut nieklu. Is-

salamun hija l-iktar ħuta

tajba imma trid tkun

‘wild caught’ u mhux

dak ‘farmed’ bħal dak li

nsibu għand tal-

vannijiet. B’hekk f’dan il

-każ l-aħjar nixtru tal-

friża. Tajjeb ukoll li

nieħdu l-erringi u sardin

(imma evitaw jekk

għandek pressjoni

għolja). Jekk se tixtri tal-

bott, araw li jkun ġoż-

żejt taż-żebbuġa u

mhux veġetali. Hemm

dibattitu jekk għandniex

nieħdu tonn taż-żejt u

ta’ xi ħadd li sempliċi-

ment irid jonqos mill-piz

jew biex iżomm ruħu

b’saħħtu. Aħna ta' l-MS

għandna bżonn dieta u

stil ta’ ħajja speċjali.

F’dan il-każ mhux “you

are what you eat” IM-

MA “you are what you

eat and what you don’t

eat as well”. Ir-regola

hija li l-ġisem iġġibu fi

stat alkaline u m'hux

aċiduż. Il-paleo diet hija

tajba ħafna għal dan l-

iskop. U dan huwa dak

li skoprejt.

L-ewwel fil-lista li

m’għandniex nieklu hu-

wa l-qamħ (wheat),

kemm abjad kif ukoll

ismar. Il-qamħ ma

jagħmilx ġid fil-moħħ ta’

xi ħadd bl-MS. Hija ftit

diffiċli sakemm taddat-

ta għax kwazi il-qamħ

jidħol mhux biss fil-ħobż,

għaġin, pasti u kejkijiet

imma anke f’ċerti

ċerejali, zlazi, etc. Min-

flok tista’ tuza’ ross pre-

feribilment ismar. Fil-

bidu li tibda tnaqqas il-

qamħ, tibda tħossok

kwazi agħar milli tkun

bdejt għax it-toxins fix-

xaħam tal-ġisem jibdew

jinħallu u jiġru fid-demm

sakemm jiġu eleminati

mill-ġisem. Eventwal-

ment tibda tħossok

tajba u terġa' tiġik ftit l-

enerġija. Wara l-qamħ

importanti li nnaqqsu iz-

zokkor ipproċessat. Jekk

tiġik leblieba għal xi

ħaġa ħelwa, ħu frotta

jew żebbuġa minflok.

Importanti ħafna li jekk

tbati bid-diabete evita li

tieħu banana u xi frott

ieħor skont kif jindikalek

it-tabib. Il-frott qatt

m’għandu jittiekel tard

Jien, l-MS u kull ma nassorbi

PAGNA 3 HARGA 29; SETTEMBRU 2014

Tkompli ...

Kemm jista’ jkun nevi-

taw li nippreparaw

ikliet fejn ikun hemm

proteini u karboidrati

flimkien; eżempju

laħam mal-patata jew

ross il-forn. Dan iġib il-

ġisem fi stat aċiduż.

Minflok nistgħu nieħdu

laħam bil-ħaxix

miegħu. Fix-xitwa,

m’hemmx aħjar minn

platt soppa msajra bi

ħxejjex friski. Evitaw id-

dadi totalment. Minflok

tistgħu tużaw ħxejjex

aromatiċi bħat-

turmeric, oregano jew

rosemary. Jekk tridu l-

platt xi ftit mielaħ użaw

il-pink salt flok il-melħ

normali. Dan huwa

melħ mhux ipproċessat

miġbur mill-muntanji tal

-Himalayas. Issibuh mill-

health shops ewlenin.

Tajjeb ħafna jekk nevi-

taw il-laħam tal-majjal

u b’aktar moderazjoni

tal-baqra. Imma tajjeb

ngħidu li il-laħam tal-

fenek, tal-ħaruf u tad-

dundjan huma sorsi

aħjar ta’ proteini. Nies li

għandhom l-MS ibatu

minn nuqqas ta’ vita-

mini u minerali bħal

Vitamina B12, D3 u

magnesium. Aħna

ixxurtjati li ngħixu f’art

bix-xemx kwazi s-sena

kollha imma jekk nid-

delku spiss b’ħafna

kremi, xorta mhux qed

inħallu x-xemx tippen-

etra f’ġisimna. Daqs 15

-il minuta kuljum f’xemx

diretta hija importanti.

Fis-Sajf nevitaw ix-xemx

ta’ bejn il-ħdax ta’

filgħodu u l-erbgħa ta’

wara nofsinhar.

kopru kif inkunu aktar

komdi matul din il-mixja

tagħna. Il-Bambin

magħkom.

Sylvia Bugeja

Waqt it-tiftix tiegħi

skoprejt ktieb ta’ Peter

D’Adamo jismu “Eat

right for your type” u

dan tefagħni f’dinja

oħra ta’ skoperti.

Skoprejt li għalkemm

hemm dieta ġenerali

għal kull tip ta’ marda

kronika importanti

nieklu skont x’inhu t-tip

ta’ demm tagħna. Sibt

li dawk blood group

type B, importanti li jev-

itaw ikel li normalment

jitqies tajjeb, bħal

tiġieġ u ġunġlien.

Il-ħalib tal-baqra huwa

għadu ieħor għan-nies

bl-MS. Hemm alternat-

tivi oħra bħal ħalib tar-

ross u soya. Minn hawn

u minn hemm dejjem

ser ikollna platt imħaw-

war tajjeb allavolja

hemm affarijiet li ma

nistgħux nieklu.

Hemm ħafna xi tgħid u

aktar u aktar x’titgħal-

lem fuq din il-

kundizzjoni kronika im-

ma sadanittant jien

dejjem ngħid li dieta

tajba u ftit eżerċizzji

ħfief qatt m’għamlu

ħazin lil ħadd. Eżerċizzji

ta’ rilassament tistgħu

tipprovaw il-Yoga jew

Tai Chi fejn jgħinuk

iżżomm ukoll il-bilanċ

tal-ġisem.

Nieħu gost jekk xi ħadd

li qed jaqra dan l-

artiklu u sabu inter-

essanti, jikkuntatjawni

billi jkellmu lis-segretarja

jew il-president ta' l-

Għaqda.

Nemmen li flimkien nist-

għu ngħinu lil xulxin nis-

Laqgħa ma’ Dr. Parnis Psychologist

PAGNA 3 HARGA 29; SETTEMBRU 2014

Laqgħa ma’ Mr James Muscat Nutritionist

PAGNA 4 MS BULLETIN

Launching of MS sub-committee in Gozo

The meeting was held on Saturday 8th February 2014 in the Ministry for Gozo, Pjazza San Frangisk, Victo-ria, Gozo. Present for the occasion were Carmen Muscat, Pres-ident MS Malta, Audrey Micallef, Committee Mem-ber, Sandy Apap, Gozo sub-committee Chairperson, Marthese Mugliett Presi-dent of Malta Federation of People Disability MOFPD, the Hon Dr Anton Refalo and the Hon Dr Franco Mercieca.

Sandy Apap on behalf of the Gozo sub-committee made an opening speech. She spoke about her fight for the past 23 years against MS and dealing with the symptoms on a daily basis. She outlined the difficulties the Gozitans face in having to travel should they wish to attend meetings in Malta. Of special mention are the rough seas. The importance of the family’s support not to give up in spite of limita-tions, difficulties and the psychological problems MS presents and to be under-stood. The enthusiasm and idea of having a Gozo sub-committee to participate, force in numbers, to hold meetings about MS devel-opments, fund raising and invite experts. To get to know each other, co-operate, work to better ser-vices and work. She stressed the importance of recognising MS symptoms and difficulties.

Ms Carmen Muscat, on behalf of the MS Society Malta related how she had been contacted by Ms Sandy Apap, who wished to set up a sub-committee in

Gozo. Ms Carmen Muscat said that she welcomed a Gozo sub-committee and outlined that the Society had been in existence for the past 16 years offering therapy to its members. Due to low funds, therapy was now being offered once a week. The Society spends €18,000 every year on physiotherapy and offers guidance and support to many families. The members feel com-fortable meeting others in the same situation. The Society has a facebook page and website to keep members informed about events and developments. She outlined the im-portance of having the Gozo sub-committee, which would provide a point of reference for Gozitan families living with MS.

The problems Gozitan MS patients face were different. Although being members of the Society, the Gozitans were not fully aware of what was going on in Malta. The importance for all organi-zations to support each other as well as patients’ rights related to health and work matters was

mentioned. Those present were informed that the Society was a member of the EMSP and of the MFOPD, which supports employment and health in all fields. Ms Sandy Apap introduced the other 3 members of the Gozo sub-committee and said that meetings were to be held not only to discuss poli-cies but also to be updated with current information. She said that any articles coming to light would be passed on. Since MS af-fects everybodydifferent-ly, every person has their individual rights.

Ms Sandy Apap invited the public to put forward their views and went on to mention the fact that pa-tients were often not un-derstood properly as Mul-tiple Sclerosis includes many hidden symp-tomsand one can’t make comparisons. Patients needed to insist on their rights. The public brought to light the following problems: the need for a Medical advisor within the Gozo General Hospi-tal; trained staff to deal with MS patients’ needs - especially when adminis-tering the treatment re-

quired; video conferenc-ing; financial assistance for installation of lifts in homes and the need for more blue badges (sticker). Ms Sandy Apap spoke about her personal experience on the matter and outlined the shortfalls she encountered. Ms Car-men Muscat expressed her disappointment that the idea of having an MS trained nurse did not seem to have materialized as the EMSP did not offer the required training. Ms Sandy Apap mentioned the importance of patients keeping their appoint-ments, the need to once again have a visiting neu-rologist, having air condi-tioning in work places and a subsidy on electricity for MS patients to be able to deal with the heat, which worsens MS symptoms. A problem was that in many cases, MS was a hidden disability and not visible. Ms. Muscat men-tioned the fact that in 2014, the Society would not be receiving any fund-ing from the Community Chest Fund as funds were only being given for par-ticular projects.

PAGNA 5 HARGA 29; SETTEMBRU 2014

Continued ...

The Hon Dr Anton Refalo said that the Society was to put forward these problems in point form. He outlined the importance of there being feedback and that the Government’s main priority was the provision of work as this was one’s right. He mentioned the Cen-tru Santa Marta, which was set up to receive people with disability from the age of 14. He said that problems had to be identified and a list of priorities made keeping in mind that the problems in Gozo differed fromthose in Malta. He said that the Government was ready to help financially.

Ms Sandy Apap said that there should be cross training in treat-ments, administration of medi-cines and availability of consult-ants. In Gozo there are about 20 MS patients.

The Hon Dr Franco Mercieca

mentioned that Consultants will have a clause which states that they would have to come to Gozo. He said that blue stickers were being abused of and spoke about how treatment had advanced and that Gilen-yawould hopefully be offered in April or May 2014.

Ms Sandy Apap,

Ms Carmen Muscat,

Ms Marthese Mugliett

Many people may think

that being healthy

means not beng sick.

Or maybe if the person

looks normal, s/he is

healthy. There is much

more than that to good

health. Sometimes we

see a person feeling

sad. Will that person

be healthy?

Health and

Well-being

Health is a

combination of physical, intellectual, emotional and social well-being. A healthy

person feels good about himself/herself and get along with

others well.

Physical Health

1. Includes total care of

your body and meeting

the demands of life each

day.

2. Keeping your body fit

and eating a well

balanced diet.

3. Includes knowing and

practising good habits.

Social Health

1. Gets along well with

others and working

well in a group.

2. Making and keeping

friends.

3. Giving and getting

support when it is

needed.

Intellectual Health

1. Being able to learn.

2. Instil in yourself certain

skills.

3. Evaluate and reflect.

4. Give opinions

Emotional Health

1. Liking who you are

and accepting

yourself.

2. Expressing your

emotions in a healthy

way.

3. Facing life’s problems

and dealing with

pressure.

PAGNA 6 MS BULLETIN

12 Steps to Healthy Eating

D

I

E

T

A

R

Y

G

U

I

D

E

L

I

N

E

S

Eat a nutritious diet based on a variety of foods originating mainly from plants rather than animals.

Eat bread, grains, pasta, rice or potatoes several times per day.

Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits, preferably fresh and local several times per day.

Maintain body weight between the recommended limits by taking moderate levels of physical activity, preferably daily.

Control fat intake (not more than 30% of daily energy) and replace most saturated fats with

unsaturated vegetable oils.

Replace fatty meat and meat products with beans, legumes, lentils, fish, poultry or lean meat.

Use milk and dairy products that are low in both fat and salt.

Select foods that are low in sugar, limiting the frequency of sugary drinks and sweets.

Choose a low salt diet. Total salt intake should not be more than 6g per day including the salt in

preserved foods.

If alcohol is consumed, limit intake to no more than 2 drinks (each containing 10g of alcohol) per day.

Prepare food in a safe and hygienic way. Steam, bake, boil or microwave to help reduce the amount of added fat.

Don’t forget to drink 2 - 3 litres of water everyday.

PAGNA 7 HARGA 29; SETTEMBRU 2014

Pasta Night

Photos taken throughout the year During fund raising activities

Car Wash -June

MS Walk

PAGNA 8 MS BULLETIN

L- għarfien fuq il-Multiple Sclerosis

Sklerożi Multipla, bl-Ingliż Multiple Sclerosis f’Malta s’issa nafu li hawn madwar 320 ruħ.

B’danakollu teżisti soċjeta’ biex tagħti kull għajnuna lil min hu milqut minnha. Il-kundizzjoni

sa ftit snin ilu peress li kienet rari, kienet injorata f’dak li hu għarfien u tagħrif fuqha. F’dan l-

artiklu se naraw kif żviluppa l-għarfien tal-MS f’pajjiżi oħra.

Meta wieħed jifli ftit l-istorja medika għandu jsib li l-MS m’hiex kundizzjoni moderna. Anzi,

aktar ma jgħaddi ż-żmien aktar qed niskopru fuq l-istorja ta’ din il-kundizzjoni li kif jidher ilha

teżisti għal perjodu twil ta’ snin, jekk mhux eluf. Nibdew biex ngħidu li s-sintomi ta’ l-MS huma

dokumentati sew fil-letteratura u sew fil-poeżija Ingliża. Għalkemm jidher sew li l-istorja

tagħha m’hiex ċara biżżejjed, la għandha bidu u wisq anqas tmiem. Tant li mhux facli li taqbad

tarf, aktarx hi bħal storja ta’ taħbil il-moħħ, b’seklu ta’ misteri li n-newroloġisti ilhom snin

jgħaqqdu flimkien biċċa biċċa. Hawn nistgħu ngħidu li kien biss f’dawn l-aħħar snin li x-xjentisti

għamlu progress f’dak li hu dijanjosi u trattament għaliha.

L-MS bħala kundizzjoni speċifika Minn rapporti mediċi jidher li l-kundizzjoni MS kienet xjentifikament deskritta fil-bidu tas-

seklu 19 fejn minn riċerki fuq awtopsji li bdew isiru fil-bidu tas-sena 1838, ġiet stabbilita b’mod

ċar l-MS. B’danakollu kien għadu kmieni biex it-tobba setgħu jagħtu spjegazzjoni ċara fuqha.

L-Iskoperta tal-“Myelin” Il-bniedem dejjem ikompli jiskopri u fis-sena 1916 Dr. James Dawson skopra mikroskopju li bih

seta’ jagħmel eżamijiet dettaljati fuq l-imħuħ ta’ persuni li kellhom l-MS. Hawn wera l-

inflammazzjoni u l-ħsara fil-“Myelin”, dik il-qoxra jew kisja xaħam ta’ fuq in-nervituri. Iżda

b’danakollu Dr. Dawson naqas li jispjega l-kawża ta’ din il-ħsara.

Il-ħtieġa ta’ twaqqif għal soċjeta’ L-ewwel soċjeta’ nazzjonali ta’ l-MS kienet twaqqfet fl-Istati Uniti fis-sena 1946 minn Syliva

Lawry. Fil-Brittanja, is-soċjeta’ ta’ l-MS twaqqfet fi-sena 1953 minn Sir Richard Cave. F’Malta s-

soċjeta’ ta’ l-MS twaqqfet fis-sena 1997 minn Dr. Norbert Vella.

Rose Grech

PAGNA 9 HARGA 29; SETTEMBRU 2014

Persons with MS are known to encounter various benefits and barriers which can motivate or discourage them from engaging in physical activity (PA). This study aimed to identify perceived benefits and barriers to PA by PwMS via the use of the exercise benefits/barriers scale (EBBS). The study also aimed to investigate whether perceived benefits and barriers in persons with MS of different mobility levels are significantly different. 71.9% of adults in Malta were found to be physically inactive according to a study conducted by Hallal et al. in 2012. Persons with MS are known to have PA levels which are below those of the general population. Decreased PA levels are known to have various negative effects on health, including increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, and general physical deconditioning. This, in combination with the various effects MS can have on wellbeing, could lead to decreased quality of life. Increased PA levels have been associated with positive effects in persons with MS, including decreased levels of depression and fatigue, and improved quality of life and physical function. The ability to walk and engage in normal daily routines was also found to improve

following participation in physical activity. In addition, studies have shown that PA and exercise do not cause MS exacerbations and lead to no foreseeable consequences, when conducted properly. Questionnaires were distributed and persons with MS were asked to identify perceived benefits and barriers to engaging in PA. The results of this study were very similar to those of previous studies conducted on the same topic by other authors in different countries. The main perceived benefits were related to physical performance and preventive health, while the main perceived barriers were related to physical exertion, time expenditure, and the exercise environment. In addition, persons who were wheelchair users identified the most barriers to PA, followed by users of other aids (such as a stick or rollator), and those who use no aid identified the least barriers and most benefits. There were found to be various significant relations between benefits and barriers identified through the study, perhaps the most significant being that improvements in physical performance and life enhancement were related to decreased physical exertion. Physical performance and life enhancement both increase as the person

engages in more PA. This thus supports findings by previous authors that as the person engages in more PA, fitness levels, mental wellbeing, and quality of life are expected to increase, and there is an associated decrease in fatigue and physical deconditioning. There are various sources of information to help persons with MS engage in PA. The MS Trust in the UK offers free PA programmes specifically designed for persons with MS (www.mstrust.org.uk). Local physiotherapists are also well-trained to offer advice and support. Group activities and discussions are encouraged. It is essential for Persons with MS to have high motivation and a good support network to enjoy the best possible life. The more confident the person feels in their ability to engage in PA, the more likely they are to be physically active.

Daniela Spiteri Fiteni The author would like to thank the MS Society and all its members for their help & cooperation while this study was being conducted.

The Perceived Benefits and Barriers to Physical Activity

in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis in Malta

PAGNA 10 MS BULLETIN

Sleep and melatonin

Sleep is important for all people, and even more for those with MS. When we get very little sleep, we feel tired and weak, and find it difficult to stay awake and concentrate. That is a prob-lem, but it is only a sign of other problems.

When we're asleep, the body does not use energy to fight or move, and it uses the opportunity to fight infections and manufac-ture hormones. People who do not get 7 - 9 hours of sleep a day are at much higher risk of heart attack, diabetes, early memory decline and several other diseas-es. Melatonin is a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory molecule, and is therefore im-portant in keeping us healthy. Melatonin is also an important factor in getting a good night's sleep, and the body produces more of it when it is dark. This is why we often stay awake when the lights are on, and go to sleep when it is dark. It is actually the blue wave-lengths that trigger the drop in melatonin, since we usually see blue skies in the morning. Artifi-cial lighting from neon tubes, TVs and computer monitors, can

therefore disrupt the production of melatonin. One way of avoiding that problem is to turn off the bright lights, TV and electronic devices, and go to bed. An-other way is to wear yellow laborato-ry glasses, since the yellow glass stops blue light from reaching our eyes. I managed to get yellow lab glasses from levolab.com in Mriehel Industrial Estate for less than € 10, but phone beforehand to make sure that they have some in stock. In the morning, try to look at the blue sky, so your body will stop producing melatonin. If you leave any lights on at night (in case you need to use the toilet) it's best to make them yellow lights. It is also possible to take mel-atonin pills 1 to 3 hours before you plan on sleeping, but it is better to turn off (or block) the blue light. (Information for this article was taken from "The Wahls Protocol", a book written by a professor of medicine who has MS.) Alastair Farrugia

PAGNA 11 HARGA 29; SETTEMBRU 2014

Preżentazzjoni ta’ donazzjoni mill-Fratellanza Karmelitana Żurrieq

Kuncert Marci Funebri ta’ Giezu r-Rabat

MS Fatigue

F atigue is the most common MS symptom and, in conjunction with pain, is the most frustrating for people to manage. It is unpredictable and invisible and is often misattributed, not to the MS disease process, but to depression, denial, disinterest, self-pity, disorganization, poor planning or just plain laziness. As many as 90 percent of people with MS have fatigue–probably half of them expe-rience it every day. One third of people with MS describe it as their most trouble-some symptom. Fatigue is a frequent cause of disability. Fatigue is difficult to define because it is a collection of different symptoms that vary in frequency and intensity. Although fa-tigue is a big problem, it is a slightly dif-ferent problem for each person who has it, so it is difficult to measure and therefore difficult to study.

Editur: Tatiana Muscat Typesetting u diżinn: Tatiana Muscat

Mitbugħ: Mr Jesmond Arpa, Five Star Printing Ltd.

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Malta, Address: PO Box 63, B’Kara BKR1000 Tel: (+356) 27 806 127

E-mail: info@msmalta.org.mt Website: www.msmalta.org.mt

SMS: 5061 8941 For € 6.99 donation

Bank Account:Swift Code (HSBC Bank Malta P.L.C.) : MMEBMTMT

IBAN: MT97MMEB44163000000016196495050

www.facebook.com/MultipleSclerosisSocietyOfMalta

Benefactors’s List 2014

Malta Community Chest Fund HSBC Trustees

Stephanie Micallef and her team who took part in the Malta Marathon Matthew Ellul

St Joseph school, Blata l-Bajda Edmond Buhagiar

Alf. Mizzi Foundation Carmel Farrugia

BHS Lombard Bank Sliema

Expressions Ta’ Giezu Concert - Rabat (Memoriam Team)

47 Summer Nights (pasta night) Wirja tal-vari / magazine adverts

Concert held in Mosta at Razzett Markis Mallia Tabone Consolidated Biscuits

Marsovin B4 Textiles Fgura

Paradise Bay Hotel Felice Pharmacy Zabbar

Fornaio Zabbar A.P.E Zabbar

Polymer Pharmacy Zabbar Tal-Karmnu Fratellenza Zurrieq

Prime Ltd Smart Offices

Irish Emerald Society Claudette Chetcuti