Multiple Sclerosis, What Type of Treatment Plan is Needed?
Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is a disease of the central nervous system (CNS) which can affect the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Nerves are protected by a myelin sheath and multiple sclerosis damages this protective layer. Transmissions between various parts of the body and the brain itself are disrupted.
The symptoms of multiple sclerosis at onset may include weakness in the muscles, numbness, and feeling of pins and needles. Balance may be affected as may vision. In some cases problems with memory may develop. Symptoms may at first be mild or could be as severe as paralysis. The way in which a person with this disease is affected and the rate at which it progresses is different for each individual and therefore treatment is not standard.
There is, at present, no cure for MS but there are drugs which may be prescribed for the relief of many of the symptoms. There are several alternatives for treatment of each condition as it arises. Due to the necessity to consider individual tolerance, the possible side effects or any interaction between medications, it is important that the specific drugs for your use should be determined by you and your medical advisor. There are different medications available for each symptom so careful consideration of your own specific needs is necessary.
There are prescription drugs available to combat fatigue, muscle spasms, tremors, different types of pain, depression, bladder and bowel problems and nausea, vomiting or dizziness. There are also specialized medicines related to optical problems. All of these need to be controlled individually. There are complementary and alternative treatments which are also available.
Exercise has been show to improve not only overall health but also specific multiple sclerosis related problems such as fatigue and bowel and bladder function and can reduce stiffness. It has been shown that exercise can combat depression so that may be another reason to consider it. A physical therapist familiar with MS problems can assist with a program tailored to your needs. Following a healthy diet is important. Many people with MS have found relief in alternative modalities such as biofeedback and other forms of stress management.
Acupuncture has been of help to many, as has the oriental discipline of tai chi a form of exercise that consists of slow deliberate movements. Yoga has also been found to be of great benefit and there are yoga programs which have been specifically designed for MS sufferers.
It has been noted that MS is more prevalent in the Northern Hemisphere and research is going on at present into the possibility that sunlight and Vitamin D may offer protection. There is also research ongoing into the use of medical marijuana or drugs derived from it to help with the symptoms of pain and muscle spasms and one such drug has been approved for use in Canada.
November 8th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
These types of articles pain me, I have MS and have had it for almost 20 years. I have gone from RRMS to CPMS and have tried everything from holistic to accupuncture PT you name it. This is a disease which effects every single person with it differently for example I have other medical conditions that could either be making my MS worse or not effecting it at all. All I know is that my life is an never ending battle of changes day to day. I can honestly say if I have 2 good days a week I consider myself lucky. I use a arm crutch to keep my ataxia in check, but that does nothing for the pain in my foot which is from drop foot. My back pain which while excruciating goes untreated because of all the chronic drug abusers have made it impossible for those of us that actually need pain meds to get them because all the doctors are afraid to write for them. I really think that people who don’t have MS really can’t say that Vitamin D will help or that Marijuana will help with spasms it makes my muscles tense up and hurt twice as bad??? PT didnt offer much help as the more I did it the worse I hurt the days after. So Please stop lumping those of us that Have MS In a tidy little clump. What works for one doesnt work for another and so on and so on. It just isnt fair to think that it does, it is hard enough to get people to understand MS and not make the stupid remarks well you look so good or it doesnt hurt or a hundred other stupid remarks that I have heard in my 20 years of being sick. The goverment tells me that I am not disabled, well how nice for them to know how it feels to be in my body and know how hard it is to do some of the simplest tasks. Shame on you all that pretend to know what someone who has this disease goes thru on a daily basis.