For Young People
When someone in your family is diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) you may have lots of questions. If you are 11-17 years old and not sure how to find the answers you need, use this web hub to get you started.
If you are younger than 11, take a look at our Activity Book for children.
We hope that the information here will answer most of the things you may be thinking about. Click on the sections below to find out more on each topic.
- What is Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)?
- Who gets MSA?
- Key things to know
- How does someone find out they have MSA?
- What are the symptoms of MSA?
- What treatment is there for MSA?
- Managing symptoms – who can help?
- How may MSA affect family life?
- Managing your feelings and emotions
- Where can you get support?
- Ideas for ways can you help someone with MSA
- What is being done to find out more about MSA?
If you have other questions or concerns about MSA and how it is affecting the person you know, you can contact the MSA Trust by phone or email. One of our MSA Health Care Specialists will get back in contact with you. Their contact details can be found by clicking here.
We would be very grateful if after using this MSA Trust Young People web hub, you could complete the short survey here. This is so that we can provide the best information on MSA to people aged 11-17 in the future. Thank you so much for your time.
Version 2
Created: 04.2021 Reviewed: 05.2024
Next Review: 05.2027
We have taken every care to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, the information should not be used as a substitute for the advice from appropriately qualified professionals. Speak to your doctor, qualified health care professional or legal professional before taking any action. Please note that personal views and opinions expressed are not necessarily endorsed by the Trust. The resource is produced independently, is not influenced by sponsors and is free from endorsement.
References for this resource are available by contacting support@msatrust.org.uk.
How does someone find out they have MSA?
Who does someone need to see to get a diagnosis? Often a person with MSA...
How may MSA affect family life?
MSA changes life for the person and this may impact on you too. In whatever...
Ideas for ways you can help your loved one with MSA
As a young person once said to us “The best thing you can do to...
Key things to know
Why my family? You may wonder why someone you know and love has MSA. Understandably...
Managing symptoms – Who can help?
Not everyone with MSA has all the possible symptoms, but different people are available to...
Managing your feelings and emotions
When someone you love has a serious medical condition like MSA it is understandable and...
Symptoms of the Brain Stem area
Symptoms due to damage in the brain stem area are also known as autonomic symptoms....
Symptoms of the Cerebellar area
Some examples of the cerebellar symptoms a person with MSA may have: MSA damage in...
Symptoms of the Parkinson’s area
Some examples of the Parkinson’s type symptoms someone with MSA may have: Stiff arms and...
What are the symptoms of MSA?
Symptoms is the word doctors use for the problems a person describes. There can be...
What is being done to find out more about MSA?
The MSA Trust links with researchers around the world to find out why and how...
What is Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)?
MSA is a condition that causes damage to brain cells that are needed for us...
What treatment is there for MSA?
There are a number of options to manage each of the symptoms of MSA. Sadly,...
Where can you get support?
We all have a group of people around us that we know love and care...
Who gets Multiple System Atrophy?
Can anyone get MSA? Most people who develop MSA are aged between 50 and 60...