A "silent killer" disease reportedly kills six people every single day in Britain.
Symptoms include weakness in the ankles or legs, muscle cramps, or weight loss, which many people could brush off, but it could all be potential warning signs of motor neurone disease (MND). Other symptoms include a difficulty stopping yourself from crying or laughing in inappropriate situations, the NHS warns.
MND affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK and reportedly six people die every day from it. MND is a fatal and rapidly progressing condition that targets the brain and spinal cord. It causes weaknesses that get worse over time by attacking nerves that control movement. Whilst no cure, there are treatments which can help reduce the impact of the condition, and allow some people to live for many years with MND, Mirror Online reports.
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However, sadly, it usually significantly shortens life expectancy and eventually often leads to death. MND can leave sufferers trapped in a failing body, unable to move, talk and eventually breathe. The disease has no cure, and a number of famous rugby stars have spoken out about their diagnosis with the condition including Rob Burrow, and Doddie Wier - who sadly died from the illness last year.
Over the weekend, Kevin Sinfield carried an emotional Rob over the finish line at the Leeds Marathon. Kevin ran the inaugural marathon, named after the ex-Leeds Rhino player, and pushed Rob the entire way, before taking him out his chair to carry him the final few metres.
Ever since his team-mate was diagnosed with the condition back in 2019, Kevin has raised millions of pounds for research into MND. The risk of developing the condition is around one in 300, The Manchester Evening News reported.
Over 80 per cent of people who have MND suffer difficulties with talking - with some completely losing their voice. MND affects people from all communities and it kills a third of people within a year and more than half within two years of diagnosis.
Now, Manchester firefighter David Kendal is taking on a herculean 500 mile cycling challenge to raise money and awareness for the Motor Neurones Disease Association. The 49-year-old was inspired to take on the challenge by the stories of Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow, and a colleague who was recently diagnosed with MND.
The mammoth solo challenge will take place across just five days and see David travel from Blackpool Tower on May 23, and finish in Paris, at the Eiffel Tower on May 27. As David’s riding alone, he will have to carry all his equipment and might find himself skimping on sleep to get it all done.
Speaking about the challenge David said: "I am really excited but also a little bit apprehensive about taking on this huge challenge. Being sat in the saddle for so many hours is certainly going to be an experience!
"I hope that the weather is kind and the final push will be a big challenge due to not having a cabin on the ferry, so doing I’ll be doing the longest and last leg after sleeping on a ferry chair. It is great to be supporting the MND Association though and I hope to raise a lot of money and awareness for such a great cause."
Early symptoms can include:
- Weakness in your ankle or leg – you might trip, or find it harder to climb stairs
- Slurred speech, which may develop into difficulty swallowing some foods
- A weak grip – you might drop things, or find it hard to open jars or do up buttons
- Muscle cramps and twitches
- Weight loss – your arms or leg muscles may have become thinner over time
- Difficulty stopping yourself from crying or laughing in inappropriate situations
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