Laughter and weak muscles could be early signs of an incurable condition that claimed the life of a lifelong LFC fan this week.
Chris Rimmer, co-founder of the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, died aged 39 on Monday after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2015. The incurable and fatal condition causes weaknesses that get worse over time as brain and nerve cells called motor neurones stop working.
Many of the earliest signs of motor neurone disease relate to difficulties caused by muscles wasting away, but one is due to changes in thinking and behaviour. The Motor Neurone Disease Association urged people to get checked if they struggle to stop themselves from laughing in inappropriate situations.
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Its website said: "Unpredictable emotional responses may be due to a symptom called emotional lability. This could result in uncontrollable laughing when upset or crying when happy. It can feel distressing, as it may happen at inappropriate times."
This often-temporary symptom is only experienced by some people with motor neurone disease. It can be caused by other conditions, and it can be treated. Other symptoms, although often still treatable, are more permanent and gradually get worse. This can make walking, talking and breathing more difficult, and "treatments like a feeding tube or breathing air through a face mask may be needed", according to the NHS.
Early symptoms of the condition develop gradually and may be missed at first. According to the health service's website, these can include:
- weakness in your ankle or leg, possibly making you trip or find it harder to climb stairs - this can also appear as 'foot drop', where one foot feels week or drags
- slurred speech caused by weakness in face, mouth, tongue or throat muscles, 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, or a rippling sensation under the skin
- weight loss – your arms or leg muscles may have become thinner over time
- difficulty stopping yourself from crying or laughing in inappropriate situations
Many of these symptoms, if they are caused by motor neurone disease, are unlikely to appear by themselves. The MND Association website said that, given it's an uncommon condition, "it is more likely that another condition, illness or injury has caused the problem", but you should visit your GP early on if you notice any problems or possible signs.
Although it is fatal, people can live for years or decades with the condition that mostly affects people in their 60s and 70s. Getting an accurate diagnosis, including with scans and blood tests, can help you get the care and support needed to manage symptoms and continue living your life.
The MND Association said: "Being diagnosed with MND can be devastating news for people and their families, often people find themselves not knowing where to turn. One service the MND Association provides is support using trained volunteers.
"These volunteers (called Association Visitors) work closely with families affected by MND. They are a vital point of contact and provide emotional support, information and guidance to help families access services and grants.
"This support can be very rewarding for an Association Visitor and can make a huge difference in coping for those people affected.
"The MND Association is currently recruiting more Association Visitors to provide this essential support, particularly in the areas of Liverpool, Sefton, Saint Helens, Wigan and Warrington. If you think you might be able to help, or want to find out more information about volunteering opportunities with the MND Association, please visit our website, www.mndassociation.org/getinvolved, or contact Paula Sutton ( Area Support Coordinator ) email paula.sutton@mndassociation.org or Tel Paula on 01604 800 639."
