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Home / Critical illness cover / - Multiple Sclerosis
Bakground information
There are currently approximately 85,000 people with MS.
Each year, around 2,500 individuals are newly diagnosed.
MS is the most common neurological disorder among young adults.
People are usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40, but can be older. (Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2002)
Definition
A definite diagnosis by a Consultant Neurologist of Multiple sclerosis which satisfies all of the following criteria:
- there must be current impairment of motor or sensory function, which must have persisted for a continuous period of at least six months; and
- the diagnosis must be confirmed by diagnostic techniques current at the time of the claim.
What does this mean?
MS is an incurable disease of the central nervous system. Nerve fibres are normally covered by a myelin sheath, which protects and insulates them. In MS this sheath degenerates which interrupts the smooth transmission of nerve impulses around the body, leading to lack of co-ordination and sensory impairment.
NEWS
Wealthy children at higher risk of developing cancer
12 June 2008 17:54:19
New research has revealed that children and teenagers from wealthier backgrounds could be more likely to develop cancer.
Experts have discovered that skin cancer and brain tumours are more prevalent amongst youngsters from wealthier environments, though the reasons for this are not yet known.
The most recent studies have looked at geographical variations, time trends and associations with deprivation.
Speaking at a conference in London on Monday (June 9th) professor Jillian Birch of Cancer Research UK said: "Results show that in contrast to cancers in older people, incidence and mortality decreases with increasing deprivation in young people.
"This is because the more common types of cancers that occur in young people are associated with affluence, including lymphomas, brain tumours, germ cell tumours and melanoma."
A recent study discovered that children who attend day care and play groups are less likely to develop leukaemia as their immune system is switched on at a younger age because they are exposed to more viruses.
'Alzheimer's research a priority'
03 April 2008 17:35:04
The development of new Alzheimer's treatments mean that sufferers may be given longer and more satisfying lives, a health expert has said.
According to the Alzheimer's Society, there will be over a million people with dementia by 2025, a condition which may affect the life insurance policies of sufferers.
Richard Barker, director general of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), said that with many new treatments "in the pipeline", the industry is looking to find new ways that can, if not reverse the disease, "at least slow the whole process down and therefore give people longer, more useful, more satisfying lives".
"Since we're surviving other diseases, we're getting older and more of us will fall prey to Alzheimer's, so we're very focused on trying to get cures for this devastating disease in particular," he added.
His comments follow a survey conducted by the ABPI to identify which illnesses the British public believe should be a priority for national health spending, enabling the ABPI to determine whether treatments in the research and development pipeline match the public and the NHS' agenda.
The research showed that Alzheimer's is the third most cited disease, after cancer and heart disease, with 11 per cent of the public demanding greater national health spending and 12 per cent more research.
Direct Life and Pensions Services Ltd are one of the UK's leading providers of life insurance, term life assurance, mortgage protection, critical illness and life insurance advice online
Interest rise means insurance endurance
23 July 2007 12:50:51
British consumers are less likely to switch their life insurance, critical illness cover or income protection polices due to rising interest rates, according to MoneyExpert.com.
The firm's second quarter research shows that five million fewer people chose not to change supplier on a number of services than in January.
Tighter finances as interest rates continue to rise have meant that Brits are less disposed to shopping around for the best deal, whether it be in insurance, credit cards, electricity, or broadband.
Sean Gardner, Chief Executive of MoneyExpert.com, commented on the new Switching Index.
"The financial squeeze caused by higher interest rates has meant consumers are more inclined to stick with what they know and in any case providers are getting tougher," he said.
"The reality is that consumers are battening down the hatches in preparation for a rough ride as the mortgage becomes more expensive and disposable income reduces. It seems we're all taking stock of our finances – and perhaps switching is an unwelcome distraction in the current climate."
He added that switching your supplier - whatever the service - is never a decision to be taken lightly.
12 June 2008 17:54:19
New research has revealed that children and teenagers from wealthier backgrounds could be more likely to develop cancer.
Experts have discovered that skin cancer and brain tumours are more prevalent amongst youngsters from wealthier environments, though the reasons for this are not yet known.
The most recent studies have looked at geographical variations, time trends and associations with deprivation.
Speaking at a conference in London on Monday (June 9th) professor Jillian Birch of Cancer Research UK said: "Results show that in contrast to cancers in older people, incidence and mortality decreases with increasing deprivation in young people.
"This is because the more common types of cancers that occur in young people are associated with affluence, including lymphomas, brain tumours, germ cell tumours and melanoma."
A recent study discovered that children who attend day care and play groups are less likely to develop leukaemia as their immune system is switched on at a younger age because they are exposed to more viruses.
03 April 2008 17:35:04
The development of new Alzheimer's treatments mean that sufferers may be given longer and more satisfying lives, a health expert has said.
According to the Alzheimer's Society, there will be over a million people with dementia by 2025, a condition which may affect the life insurance policies of sufferers.
Richard Barker, director general of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), said that with many new treatments "in the pipeline", the industry is looking to find new ways that can, if not reverse the disease, "at least slow the whole process down and therefore give people longer, more useful, more satisfying lives".
"Since we're surviving other diseases, we're getting older and more of us will fall prey to Alzheimer's, so we're very focused on trying to get cures for this devastating disease in particular," he added.
His comments follow a survey conducted by the ABPI to identify which illnesses the British public believe should be a priority for national health spending, enabling the ABPI to determine whether treatments in the research and development pipeline match the public and the NHS' agenda.
The research showed that Alzheimer's is the third most cited disease, after cancer and heart disease, with 11 per cent of the public demanding greater national health spending and 12 per cent more research.
Direct Life and Pensions Services Ltd are one of the UK's leading providers of life insurance, term life assurance, mortgage protection, critical illness and life insurance advice online
23 July 2007 12:50:51
British consumers are less likely to switch their life insurance, critical illness cover or income protection polices due to rising interest rates, according to MoneyExpert.com.
The firm's second quarter research shows that five million fewer people chose not to change supplier on a number of services than in January.
Tighter finances as interest rates continue to rise have meant that Brits are less disposed to shopping around for the best deal, whether it be in insurance, credit cards, electricity, or broadband.
Sean Gardner, Chief Executive of MoneyExpert.com, commented on the new Switching Index.
"The financial squeeze caused by higher interest rates has meant consumers are more inclined to stick with what they know and in any case providers are getting tougher," he said.
"The reality is that consumers are battening down the hatches in preparation for a rough ride as the mortgage becomes more expensive and disposable income reduces. It seems we're all taking stock of our finances – and perhaps switching is an unwelcome distraction in the current climate."
He added that switching your supplier - whatever the service - is never a decision to be taken lightly.