| Name | M.E. |
| See Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) |
M
M.S.
| Name | MS |
| See Multiple Sclerosis |
Ménière's Disease
| Name | Ménière's Disease (MD) |
| Related to/Also known as | Idiopathic Endolymphatic Hydrops |
| Symptoms of Ménière's Disease | Ménière's Disease (MD) is a disorder of the inner ear, characterised by vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss. Ménière's Disease is a long term, progressive disease which damages both the balance and hearing parts of the inner ear. |
| Types | |
| Useful national contacts | Ménière's Society www.menieres.org.ukHelpline: 01306 876883 Find your local support group: https://tinyurl.com/y9jlvech |
| Children & young people | Balance Disorders (KidsHealth) https://tinyurl.com/y37t9cfu |
| News and events | |
| Online resources |
Coronavirus - information for people with neurological problems (Brain & Spine Foundation) Ménière's Disease (NHS Choices website) Ménière's Disease (Patient.info) |
| Our resources |
This includes a copy of the Brain & Spine Foundation's booklet "Dizziness And Balance Problems: A guide for patients and carers". |
Meningitis
| Name | Meningitis |
| Related to/Also known as | Meningococcal disease
Septicaemia |
| Symptoms of Meningitis |
Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining (meninges) which covers the spinal cord and the brain. Common symptoms are usually high fever, headache, stiff neck and a red/purple rash which remains when pressed and looked at through a glass tumbler. |
| Types |
Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection, or is occasionally due to a fungal infection. Viral meningitis can be very unpleasant, but is generally less severe and is usually without long-term effects. Bacterial meningitis is more serious and, although some do make a full recovery, others may be left with problems such as long-term brain damage, hearing loss and epilepsy. The meningococcal bacterium that causes meningitis can also cause septicaemia (blood poisoning). If a patient has some symptoms of both meningococcal meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia, then together these two forms of the disease are known as meningococcal disease. |
| Useful national contacts | Meningitis Trust and Meningitis Research Foundation have merged to form Meningitis Now Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.meningitisnow.orgNurse-staffed Freefone Helpline 0808 80 10 388 |
| Children & young people |
Meningitis in children and young people (Meningitis Now) Symptoms Checker for Young Adults (Meningitis Research Foundation) Michael Rosen's Sad Book (Michael Rosen) |
| Online resources |
FAQs on COVID-19 and meningitis Meningitis (NHS Choices) Glass test for meningitis (Meningitis Now)
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| News and events |
Meningitis Now warn students not to assume coronavirus (Meningitis Now, August 2020) Men ACWY vaccine (NHS Choices) "New meningitis vaccine for students and children" (BBC Wales, August 2015) |
| Our resources |
The library at The Brain Charity has a range of resources on Meningitis and on a wide range of disability-related issues. This includes a copy of the Brain & Spine Foundation's booklet "Meningitis: A fact sheet for patients and carers". |
Microcephaly
| Name | Microcephaly |
| Related to/Also known as | Microcephaly is a symptom of many different conditions. |
| Symptoms |
Source: U.S. National Institutes of Health, Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center |
| Types |
|
| Useful national contacts |
Cerebra (charity for children with neurological conditions) |
| Children & young people | Zika Virus (KidsHealth) https://tinyurl.com/yyak7a5k |
| News and events | |
| Online resources |
'Zika virus' (NHS Choices) 'Zika virus infection' (The Encephalis Society) |
| Our resources | The library at the Brain Charity has a range of resources on disability related issues. |
Migraine
| Name | Migraine |
| Related to/Also known as | See also Cluster Headaches, Vertigo |
| Symptoms of Migraine | Migraine is a debilitating neurological condition, which often strikes without warning. It affects different people in different ways, but common symptoms include an intense, throbbing headache (usually on one-side of the head), sensitivity to light and noise, nausea or vomiting. Visual disturbances, or aura, are also common. • The British Deaf Association has information in BSL about Migraine. |
| Types | See the Migraine Trust's website: https://tinyurl.com/ycauko3s |
| Useful national contacts |
The Migraine Trust (Migraine Action has merged with the Migraine Trust) National Migraine Centre |
| Children & young people |
Young people with migraine (Migraine Trust) Migraine in children and adolescents (U.K. National Migraine Centre) |
| News and events | 
• The Migraine Trust's ‘State of the Migraine Nation’ project (December 2019) |
| Online resources |
What to know about migraine and COVID-19 (American Migraine Foundation) Top 5 Migraine Self-care Tips Duing Covid-19 Lockdown (National Migraine Centre) Migraine (NHS) Migraine (Brain & Spine Foundation) "The grim reality of migraine care in the UK" Health Service Journal (December 2019) Migraine Information Page (U.S. National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke) Acupuncture for preventing migraine attacks (Cochrane Evidence) Hemiplegic Migraine (Orofacial Pain website) Migraine with Aura (U.K. National Migraine Centre) |
| Our resources |  The library at The Brain Charity has a range of resources on Migraine and on a wide range of disability-related issues.Visit our library to read Migraine Action's info pack "Supporting young migraineurs". |
Motor Neurone Disease (M.N.D.)
| Name | Motor Neurone Disease (MND) |
| Related to/Also known as | Motor Neuron Disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) |
| Symptoms of Motor Neurone Disease |
Motor Neurone Disease is an uncommon disease, which causes a progressive degeneration of the motor system (the nerve cells that controls the muscles). It is a slowly progressive disease, whose common systems include muscle wasting/weakness, muscle cramps and difficulty with swallowing and with speech. • The British Deaf Association has information in BSL about Motor Neurone Disease. |
| Types |
|
| Useful national contacts |
Motor Neurone Disease Assocation (MNDA) MND Scotland |
| Children & young people |
Children and young people (MNDA) |
| Online resources |
Coronavirus information (MNDA) MND and Coronavirus (MNDA) Motor neurone disease (NHS Choices) Motor neurone disease (Brain & Spine Foundation) |
| News and events |
Motor neurone disease trial offered to hundreds of patients (BBC, January 2020) Trajectories of Outcome in Neurological Conditions (TONiC) study seeks volunteers |
| Our resources | 
The library at The Brain Charity has a range of resources on Motor Neurone Disease and on a wide range of disability-related issues. This includes a copy of the MNDA's booklet 'When Someone Close has MND: A workbook for children aged 4 to 10'. |
Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.)
| Name | Multiple Sclerosis (MS) |
| Related to/Also known as | |
| Symptoms of MS |
Multiple Sclerosis is the most common disabling neurological disorder affecting young adults. MS occurs as the result of damage to myelin - the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres of the central nervous system. This damage interferes with messages between the brain and other parts of the body. • The British Deaf Association has information in BSL about Multiple Sclerosis |
| Types |
|
| Useful national contacts | MS Society Helpline: 0808 800 8000 www.mssociety.org.uk Find your local support group: https://tinyurl.com/y8ksdy2j
• MS Legal Line – 0207 791 9800 option 2. This goes through to Disability Law Service who they work with. They will help advise/support with tribunals. Also help with any employment legal issues. Multiple Sclerosis Trust MS-UK Multiple Sclerosis National Therapy Centres CSF Leak Association |
| Children & young people | Young people and MS (MS Trust) www.mstrust.org.uk/life-ms/young-people-and-ms Young people's guide to MS (MS Trust) https://tinyurl.com/vgzybdkMultiple sclerosis (Great Ormond Street Hospital) https://tinyurl.com/y228ndj6 |
| Online resources |
Vaccination and immunisation (Mutiple Sclerosis Trust) Coronavirus, Covid-19 and multiple sclerosis (MS Trust) COVID-19 coronavirus and MS (MS Society) New Italian research on coronavirus and MS (May 2020, MSSociety) MS Trust: Newly diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis Physiotherapy works: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (Chartered Society of Physiotherapists factsheet) https://tinyurl.com/ya73x7n9Applying for PIP (MS Society) https://tinyurl.com/y4ounms2MS-UK Live Webchat NHS Choices: Multiple Sclerosis NHS Videos: Being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis BBC: What is multiple sclerosis? MS-UK video MS Research Treatment and Education charity MS Register A ground-breaking study designed to increase our understanding of living with MS in the UK www.ukmsregister.orgTrigeminal Neuralgia (NORD, U.S. National Organization for Rare Disorders) Includes details of TN2, 'atypical' or 'symptomatic' Trigeminal Neuralgia https://tinyurl.com/y28z9njmTumefactive multiple sclerosis (U.S. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center) Legal status of cannabis (MS Trust, October 2018) Research published on M.S. prevelance and ethnicity (MS Society, 2016) Information about MS in other languages (MS Society) |
|
News and events |
'Medical cannabis now available on NHS' (MS-UK, November 2019) 'Game changer' treatment for Multiple Sclerosis patients (BBC, March 2018) Emerging areas of research: Stem cells (MS Society) |
| Our resources |
Visit our library to borrow Annie & Dan talk about MS : a DVD for children under 10 |
![hashtag M.S. Week](https://www.mssociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/width_1140px/public/2020-08/MS-WEEK-banner.jpg?itok=ZN_RIasA")
Multiple System Atrophy (M.S.A.)
| Name | Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) |
| Related to/Also known as | Shy-Drager Syndrome |
| Symptoms of MSA |
MSA is caused by the degeneration of cells in certain areas of the brain, which control different body systems. This cell degeneration causes problems with movement, balance and automatic functions of the body, such as bladder control. |
| Types | |
| Useful national contacts | Multiple System Atrophy Trust www.msatrust.org.uk Tel: 0207 940 4666 Find your local support group: https://tinyurl.com/ycrcjbwa The Trust's MSA Nurse Specialists support people affected by MSA across the UK and Ireland, providing responsibility loosely around four regions: https://tinyurl.com/yydh6kog |
| Children & young people | Support for young people (Multiple System Atrophy Trust) Although children and young people do not get MSA they will still be affected by any diagnosis of MSA within the family. https://tinyurl.com/y4rkrcpm |
| Online resources |
Coronavirus - Covid-19 (MSA Trust) Multiple system atrophy (NHS Choices) |
| News and Events | |
| Our resources | 
The library at The Brain Charity has a range of resources on MSA and on a wide range of disability-related issues. This includes a copy of the Multiple System Atrophy Trust's booklet "Carer's Guide: Looking after yourself and the person you care for". |
Muscular Dystrophy
| Name | Muscular Dystrophy |
| Related to/Also known as | |
| Symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy |
The muscular dystrophies are a group of neuromuscular disorders. These conditions are characterised by the loss of muscle strength, as progressive muscle wasting or nerve deterioration occurs. Many, but not all, are inherited. |
| Types | Please see the Muscular Dystrophy UK website to find details of all types of neuromuscular conditions. |
| Useful national contacts |
Muscular Dystrophy UK Myotonic Dystophy Support Group Neuromuscular Centre |
| Children & young people | A guide for parents: children with muscle-wasting conditions (Muscular Dystrophy UK) An introductory guide for families with a child newly diagnosed with muscular dystrophy or an associated neuromuscular condition https://tinyurl.com/y4sxydo3 |
| Online resources |
Detailed guidance on risks from coronavirus for people with muscle-wasting conditions (Muscular Dystrophy UK) Muscular dystrophy (NHS Choices) |
| News and events | |
| Our resources |
The library at The Brain Charity has a range of resources on Muscular Dystrophy and on a wide range of disability-related issues.
|
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.)
| Name | Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) |
| Related to/Also known as | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS) |
| Symptoms of M.E. |
M.E. is a potentially chronic and disabling neurological disorder, which is characterised by persistent fatigue and muscle pain. Symptoms can include cognitive problems such as loss of memory and concentration, recurrent sore throat and enlarged neck glands, disturbed sleep patterns and persistent headaches. • The British Deaf Association has information in BSL about M.E. |
| Types | |
| Useful national contacts | ACTION for M.E. Telephone support: 0845 123 2314 Membership/general 0845 123 2380, 9am-5pm www.actionforme.org.uk Find your local support group: www.actionforme.org.uk/get-support-now/find-local-support/local-me-support-groupsM.E. Association |
| Children & young people |
Children and young people with M.E./CFS (Action for ME) 'Landmark chronic fatigue trial could treat two-thirds of children with chronic fatigue syndrome' (BBC website, November 2016) |
| Online resources |
M.E. and Covid-19 vaccine: your questions (Action for ME) Coronavirus and M.E./CFS(Action for M.E) Coronavirus warning as victims staying sick for MONTHS with ‘post-Covid syndrome’ (ME Association, July 2020) Your benefits during the coronavirus crisis (ME Association)
Chronic fatigue syndrome (NHS Choices) |
| News and event | |
| Our resources |
Visit our library to read Living with M.E: The chronic/post-viral fatigue syndrome by Dr Charles Shepherd. Or have a |
Myasthenia Gravis
| Name | Myasthenia Gravis |
| Related to/Also known as | |
| Symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis |
Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune disease, which results in a breakdown in communication between nerve and muscle. This results in a loss of effectiveness of the muscle. The progression and severity of the disease vary widely. Some patients only ever develop eye muscle weakness - this is called ocular myasthenia. Others also have more widespread weakness - generalised myasthenia. |
| Types | Ocular Myasthenia Gravis - confined to eye muscles
Generalised Myasthenia Gravis |
| Useful national contacts | Myaware [formerly Myasthenia Gravis Association] Web: www.myaware.orgFree helpline: 0800 919 922 Find your local support group: www.myaware.org/find-your-nearest-support-group |
| Children & young people | Jimmy's Story (Myaware) www.myaware.org/blog/jimmys-story |
| Online resources |
Coronavirus Information (MyAware) Myasthenia gravis (NHS Choices) Myasthenia gravis (Muscular Dystrophy U.K.) Ocular myasthenia (Eyecare Trust) |
| Our resources | 
The library at The Brain Charity has a range of resources on Myasthenia Gravis and on a wide range of disability-related issues. This includes the book The Mysterious Illness - Myasthenia Gravis: My long journey to diagnosis & the daily struggles since an almost fatal surgery, by Hazel Smart.
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