Coronation Street's Paul Foreman has been going through some troubling health issues after being hit by a car, with doctors telling him the symptoms he has been facing are likely not the result of the accident.
Viewers have recently seen Paul, played by Peter Ash struggle to recover from injuries after being hit by a van that was driven by Carla. However he has been referred for more scans and Corrie bosses have now revealed that the character will be diagnosed with motor neurone disease in upcoming episodes of the soap.
April's episodes will see Paul given the devastating news that he has motor neurone disease (MND). Paul initially keeps the diagnosis from his partner Billy, as well as his family. The storyline will follow the progression of the disease as Paul initially deals with the illness alone and eventually has to break the news to his loved ones.
Coronation Street is working closely with the MND Association on this storyline which will explore the challenges faced by Paul and those around him in the coming months, the LiverpoolEcho reports.
What is motor neurone disease (MND)?
Motor neurone disease is an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves, according to the NHS. It causes weakness and gets worse over time. There is currently no cure for the disease but treatments that make living with the condition easier are available.
Some people with MND live with it for many years but it can significantly shorten life expectancy and sadly leads to death. It usually affects people in their 60s and 70s but can affect adults of all ages.
It is caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves, called motor neurones. The cells gradually stop working over time and it is not known why this happens. Moving around, swallowing and breathing get increasingly difficult for people with MND and some need feeding tubes or air through a face mask.
Having a relative with MND can sometimes mean a person is more likely to get it, a relative with a related condition called frontotemporal dementia may also increase the likelihood of getting MND, however it does not run in families in most cases.
What are the symptoms of MND?
You may not notice the symptoms of MND at first and they tend to develop gradually. 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
It can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages and several other conditions can cause the same symptoms. Tests to rule out other causes include blood tests, brain and spin scans, tests to measure the electrical activity in your muscles and nerves and also a lumbar puncture (spinal tap).
What are the treatments?
There is no cure, but treatments include:
- highly specialised clinics, typically involving a specialist nurse and occupational therapy to help make everyday tasks easier
- physiotherapy and exercises to maintain strength and reduce stiffness
- advice from a speech and language therapist
- advice from a dietitian about diet and eating
- a medicine called riluzole that can slightly slow down the progression of the condition
- medicines to relieve muscle stiffness and help with saliva problems
- emotional support for you and your carer
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