With the sad news that Former England rugby union captain Lewis Moody has revealed a diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease (MND), we thought it may be useful to others to share more information about what MND is.

MND affects approximately two in every 100,000 people in the UK.

The disease impacts the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, leading to gradual damage to the body’s nervous system.

MND is a life-shortening neurological disease which affects the nerves that control movement, causing muscles to stop working.

These nerves, motor neurones, control muscle activity such as walking, speaking and swallowing, but as they are attacked, the brain’s messages gradually stop reaching muscles, leading to weakness and wasting, followed by breathing difficulties. Some people also experience changes to their thinking and behaviour.

MND symptoms can occur gradually so may not be obvious at first.

Early symptoms include weakness in ankles or legs, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing food, a weak grip, muscle cramps and twitches and weight loss.

For more information on MND, click the link below:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/motor-neurone-disease/