New Hope In Multiple Sclerosis Treatment (MST)

Remember that needing help is not a sign of weakness and a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis should not be allowed to define who you are as a person.

Multiple Sclerosis: So Quiet Yet So Devastating

Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms/ Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) often means multiple questions and concerns, especially for the 2.5 million people around the world who currently have this potentially debilitating disease.

Although symptoms vary widely from one person to the next, MS is an autoimmune disease that affects the nerves and interferes with the brain's ability to communicate with the rest of the body. If you are looking for multiple sclerosis treatment you will find information here that will help you understand what MS is all about.

A chronic disease of the central nervous system, MS occurs when the body's own immune system begins to eat away at and deteriorate the protective covering called myelin surrounding the nerves. Over time, the nerves themselves may become irreversibly damaged causing symptoms ranging from the mild, like tingling or numbness in one or more limbs, to the severe, such as the inability to walk or talk.

In some people with multiple sclerosis, symptoms are triggered or worsened by an increase in their body temperature, and most will experience relapses in symptoms in the earliest stages of the disease followed by periods of partial or complete remission.

Causes of Multiple Sclerosis

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MS may affect people of any age, however, it most often occurs in those between 20 and 40 years old and women are twice as likely to be affected as men, although the reason for this is not yet known. Scientists believe that a combination of factors may be to blame, however, there is much research to be done before it is understood why the disease happens to some people but not others.

Heredity is one of the risk factors of MS, but it is not directly inherited, and it is also known that the disease occurs far more often in countries or locations around the world with temperate climates.

Having other autoimmune disorders such as IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), type 1 diabetes, or thyroid disease may also increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis.

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

Doctors continue looking for multiple sclerosis treatment. Hopefully we have the cure soon.

Exacerbations, also sometimes referred to as attacks, flare-ups, or relapses in symptoms, are caused by inflammation, which damages the nerve's myelin and interferes with the signal sent by the brain to that specific nerve.

While not all exacerbations will require medical multiple sclerosis treatment, the more severe may respond to three to five day courses of methylprednisone given intravenously or high doses of prednisone administered orally.

Because corticosteroids are not thought to be beneficial for treating the disease itself over the long term, other options are used for bringing about relief from symptoms. A process called plasmapheresis in which the plasma, or liquid portion of the blood, is taken out of the body and then replaced, thus removing the antibodies thought to be responsible for causing the disease, may be helpful for those who aren't responding to other multiple sclerosis treatment.

Acute Exacerbations

For acute exacerbations, ACTH, or adrenocorticotropic hormone, a subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, may be used as a secondary treatment option or alternative for those who aren't able to tolerate corticosteroids.

Other medications used for treating the symptoms of MS include interferons to slow the progression of the disease, and the drugs glatiramer, natalizumab, and mitoxantrone.

And, drug that's usually used for treating high blood pressure has recently shown very promising evidence of also being able to treat MS in a new study done on laboratory mice.

Although further research is needed to learn of its effectiveness in humans, scientists discovered that lisinopril reversed paralysis in mice with fully developed multiple sclerosis and blocked the disease from developing in others.

The experimental drug fampridine is also being analyzed to determine if it may help some people with MS improve their ability to walk, and in yet another study, researchers are looking into the newly found benefits of high doses of vitamin D for reducing relapse rates.

Although each of the following actions on their own may not seem as if they would be effective for living and coping with multiple sclerosis combined together they can have a great impact and bring about the relief of some symptoms:

Usually easier said than done, maintaining a positive attitude and outlook can have a direct effect on your health. It's also important to keep stress at a minimum and actively find ways of relaxing and easing tension.

- Exercise Safely

Exercise is important for helping ease some of the symptoms common to MS, but precautions should be taken to ensure that no damage is ever done to the muscles, which are already under stress from the disease. Ask your doctor for his or her recommendations and always exercise in a safe environment.

- Follow a Healthy Diet

Of course a healthy, well balanced diet is beneficial for anyone, it's especially important for those dealing with chronic illnesses like MS. Besides maintaining a healthy weight, limit caffeine, sugar, and salt while drinking plenty of water and eating foods from each of the food groups.

- Get Support

Support groups, both online and off, can be excellent for sharing experiences and feelings, and if you need help, one of the very best things you can do is to ask, whether it's simply for extra help around the house or seeking the advice of a mental health professional.

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