Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
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Multiple Sclerosis Treatment…Options To Help You Manage Your Health

An estimated 400,000 people in the U.S. and about 2.5 million worldwide are seeking multiple sclerosis treatment. Multiple sclerosis affects the central nervous system. The immune system of a person with MS constantly attacks healthy tissues. Common symptoms include balance problems, blurred vision, tremors, fatigue, and problems with concentration and memory. In some cases paralysis may also occur.

Although there is no known cure for MS, treatment to help ease and control the symptoms of the disease are giving sufferers a chance to enjoy life more.

There are several different areas used in the treatment for multiple sclerosis. Let’s take a look at a few of the most common.

Medications

Disease modifying drugs are specific medications used in with MS patients to control or suppress the immune system’s activity. The obvious point being, if the destructive nature of the immune system can be controlled then the symptoms can be managed. These drugs allow a patient to live their lives as normal as possible.

  • Gilenya
  • Novantrone
  • Rebif
  • Avonex
  • Betaseron
  • Tysabri
  • Copaxone

Although these medications can slow the progression of MS, it should be noted that they are not a cure. As with any drug, there will be side effects. Some patients will respond better than others.

Physical Therapy

Because MS affects the ability to move normally, physical therapy is a must have treatment option for patients. A physical therapist can help by showing patients specific exercises to strengthen muscles that have become weakened because of MS. There are also exercises to teach patients how to move in different way to deal with muscles that no longer respond or move normally. Over time, physical therapy treatment can even help alleviate muscle pain in some patients.

Pain Treatment

Sufferers of multiple sclerosis, can be in constant pain when not in remission. Unfortunately, because their pain stems from the central nervous system over the counter drugs are of no help.

However, many MS patients respond well to “anticonvulsant medications.” Specifically, Neurontin and Tegretol. The interesting fact about these medications is that the medical community does not know why they relieve pain for multiple sclerosis patients. They are FDA approve to treat seizers but are often prescribe by doctors to alleviate pain.

Although these medications work well for many patients, there are several other anticonvulsant available. The drawback in the use of these anticonvulsants is patients often have to endure extended periods of time of trying one after another to see which one works to control their pain.

Alternative Treatments For MS

Marijuana

According to some MS patients, marijuana helps control very painful spasms. These spasms can be so severe that the person cannot not move until the spasms cease. They also claim it can control other symptoms of MS as well. However, there has not been any documented proof that marijuana does as some claim and so it remains a controversial subject.

Acupuncture

Although, there is very little evidence that acupuncture treatments work to control various symptoms like, spasms, and bladder control. There are MS patients who say they’ve notice improvements after receiving acupuncture treatments.

Diet And Supplements

Many holistic health practitioners believe a change in diet can treat the symptoms of MS without the side effects often associated with drugs. But there is no concrete evidence to back up their claims. Even still, doctors do encourage MS patients to eat a healthy well balanced diet.

What does show promise is taking the supplement linoleic acid. It is commonly found in safflower oil and sunflower seeds. Some patients have shown some improvement when taking it as a daily supplement.

Exercise

Doctors have been known to recommend yoga and tai chi to help reduce stress. Plus both can help with balance and flexibility which overall could help treat muscle pain and weakness.

Massage Therapy

Stress and depression can make MS symptoms worse. Many patients have regular massages to try and keep their stress level at a more manageable level.

The treatments discussed here are not the only ones available. These are just a few of the most common treatments used by many different patients.

As science continues to look for a cure, multiple sclerosis treatment continues to evolve in hopes of giving millions of of MS sufferers a better outlook and quality of life.

Posted by admin - February 20, 2012 at 7:18 am

Diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis

When it comes to diagnosing multiple sclerosis there is no single definitive test available. There are certain criteria that doctors look for with each patient but even this is not always reliable. There are several neurologists who specialize in multiple sclerosis treatment and are better equipped to diagnose MS. What makes diagnosing multiple sclerosis so difficult is that there are other neurological disorders that are routinely misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis. For example, the effects of a person having had several strokes can mimic the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Even diseases like Lupus can be diagnosed mistakenly. In order for a neurologist to determine if you have multiple sclerosis, he or she will take a look at several factors. Medical history A complete neurological exam Complete blood work up MRI may also be done in some circumstances Along with the above a neurologist will consider specific criteria. The age of the patient. This is important because most patients are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50 years of age. The MRI is used to look for scars on the brain in multiple areas. Symptoms of MS that occur more than twice within 24 hours Obvious symptoms that indicate a neurological [...]

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Posted by admin - November 6, 2011 at 8:37 am

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Risk Factors For Multiple Sclerosis

According to researchers there are several risk factors that can increase your chances of developing multiple sclerosis. Unfortunately, multiple sclerosis does not get the media attention other diseases like cancer get. So it’s typical that most sufferers are not even diagnosed until they begin to experience multiple sclerosis symptoms. Often those diagnosed had no idea that they were even at risk. Are you at risk? We’ve put together the 7 risk factors you need to be aware of. It should be noted, that not everyone with the following factors will develop multiple sclerosis. Risk Factor # 1 – Your Family History If one of your parents or a brother or sister has MS, your chances of developing multiple sclerosis is around 1 – 3 percent. That may seem like a very low percentage and by most standards it would be. What makes that a significant number is the fact that statistically, less than one tenth of 1% of the general population will develop MS. There are a lot of people diagnosed with MS who did not have a known family history of multiple sclerosis. So researchers know that while family history can play a role, it is not the only [...]

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Posted by admin - February 4, 2012 at 8:10 am

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Vitamin B12 Deficiency

There is an ongoing debate about the role a vitamin B12 deficiency plays in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. There is convincing evidence that a vitamin B12 deficiency could be one of several causes of multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis patients often have trouble with memory , problem solving, and show an inability to use proper judgement. The theory is that this is due to a vitamin B12 deficiency. The reason for this train of thought is because those who do not have MS, can exhibit the same symptoms if they have low levels of B12. But in these cases where there is no diagnosis of MS, a regimen of B12 supplementation solves the problem. So Is A Vitamin B12 Deficiency The Missing Link? While there seems to be some relation to having a B12 deficiency and being diagnosed with MS. It is still a very complex issue. B12 is needed to protect the layer of the brain called the myelin sheath. This fatty layer of tissue needs B12 in order to form. The myelin sheath protects the neurotransmitters in the brain. These transmitters allow nerves to communicate with each other via impulses. But once the myelin sheath is damaged, the [...]

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Posted by admin - December 22, 2011 at 4:50 pm

Categories: Multiple Sclerosis Nutrition And Vitamins, Multiple Sclerosis Treatment   Tags:

Multiple Sclerosis-Clinical Trials

At any given time there are hundreds of clinical trials being conducted in the effort to find a cure for multiple sclerosis. Researchers and organizations such as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) and the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA), work continuously to raise money for more research and clinical trials. Definition Of Clinical Trials – How They Work When a pharmaceutical company creates a new drug, they need to have a way of trying the drug out on actual patients. This is the only way they can see if the drug will benefit the patient and treat their illness. These are called clinical trials. They also allow drug makers and researchers to test the safety of the drug. Once a company gets FDA approval to begin a trial they will begin seeking participants. Many will run ads on radio and tv, asking for participants. In this case, individuals who have already been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Some trials will pay each person for participating. Others may reimburse volunteers for their travel expenses to and from the testing facility. Plus provide each with the experimental drug free of charge. Controlled Testing There will be at least two groups. One [...]

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Posted by admin - December 22, 2011 at 3:06 pm

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Multiple Sclerosis Drug – Fingolimod (Gilenya)

Fingolimod (Gilenya) is the newest treatment to be approved by the FDA for relapsing multiple sclerosis. There are several approved medications and treatments regularly prescribed. What makes Fingolimod (Gilenya) something of a breakthrough, is that it is the first drug to treat MS that can be taken orally. To understand how much this new drug can impact those with multiple sclerosis, let’s take a closer look at what Fingolimod (Gilenya) does to help MS patients. What Makes This Drug Treatment Different From Any Other MS Treatment? Simply put. It’s the method of delivery. Before now, the only option MS patients had were injections. Now patients can opt to take a pill instead. Is This A Cure For Multiple Sclerosis? Fingolimod (Gilenya) is not a cure for multiple sclerosis. It is a drug to treat the symptoms associated with MS. Specifically, to reduce the incidents of relapses common during the course of the disease known as relapsing MS. It also slows down the progression of MS. How Does This New Drug Work? Those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis have a high count of a specific kind of white blood cells called lymphocytes. These white blood cells attack nerve fibers in the eyes, [...]

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Posted by admin - December 22, 2011 at 1:18 pm

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Multiple Sclerosis Research

Multiple sclerosis symptoms, treatment. Hope through research Multiple sclerosis research continues as scientists believe they are getting closer to figuring out what may be the factor or factors that trigger the destructive autoimmune response found in MS patients. Once researchers figure this out they may be one step closer to creating a vaccine to stop and prevent further damage to the central nervous system. How Research Works The National MS Society, recently contributed $16 million dollars to help 32 different new research projects. Another $29 million will be donated to other research for MS as well in 2012. Organizations like the National MS Society get millions of dollars every year from supporters that may be individuals as well as corporations. They in turn find different research groups who are actively doing research to find a cure for MS as well as better multiple sclerosis treatment. Research is very expensive to say the least. So it is critical to obtain as much money as possible to continue to fund an MS research project. Multiple Sclerosis Research Varies Since researchers have yet to find what causes MS, there are many different research groups studying different aspects of the disease. It’s important to [...]

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Posted by admin - December 13, 2011 at 11:13 am

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Multiple Sclerosis Support Groups

Multiple sclerosis support groups are available all over the country. Newly diagnosed patients, those who have been dealing with the disease and their families can and should take advantage of the services support groups offer. Multiple Sclerosis Support Groups And The Benefits They Provide The purpose of any support group is to help individuals to cope with a specific illness, addiction, emotional or mental issue. An MS support groups allows individuals with the disease as well as those who may not have MS but are friends and loved ones of someone who has been diagnosed. Support groups can also be great resources on multiple sclerosis treatment options. These multiple sclerosis support groups allow individuals to communicate their fears without feeling embarrassed. MS patients can share their challenges with others who are also dealing with the same issues. The benefits are obvious. Only someone suffering from Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms can honestly understand what another is going through. There is always someone there who can relate and offer useful advice based on their own experiences. Especially in the case of someone just diagnosed. Being able to talk to someone who is in a later stage of the disease can provide a wealth [...]

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Posted by admin - December 8, 2011 at 1:58 pm

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Multiple Sclerosis Association Of America

According to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, approximately 400,000 Americans are diagnosed every year with multiple sclerosis. Also known simply as the MSAA, their goal is to continue to increase awareness of MS and to help raise money for continued research to find the cause and a cure for multiple sclerosis. Facts About The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America It is a non profit organization founded in 1970. The Board of Directors is made up of professionals from various areas of business, medicine and government. All using their combined experience in these areas to assist MS patients and their families. How Does the MSAA Help Those Diagnosed With Multiple Sclerosis? The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America works constantly to help MS patients by providing valuable resources. There are 5 specific services offered to help both MS sufferers and their families to cope with the disease and get the latest information on multiple sclerosis treatment. Here’s a look at each service. Daily Assistance Help MS patients who meet certain income requirements, can have special equipment loaned to them. Things like beds, walkers and other equipment needed to help an MS patient when their ability to walk and move normally becomes [...]

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Posted by admin - December 3, 2011 at 3:10 pm

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Is Multiple Sclerosis Hereditary?

Is multiple sclerosis hereditary? It is a common question asked by family members of someone closely related to an individual who has been diagnosed with MS. There’s no doubt that even First Lady Michelle Obama most likely wonders this herself. Her father suffered from multiple sclerosis for many years. She and hundreds of thousands of Americans with a close relative who has MS worry not only about themselves. They ask and want an answer to the question is multiple sclerosis hereditary?… out of concern for their children. Before one can consider the possibilities as to whether or not MS is hereditary, it’s important to first have a general understanding of the disease itself. There is no cure. But doctors have been successful with various multiple sclerosis treatment options to control the symptoms. Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). MS patients have scars or lesions that appear in several different areas of their brain. The symptoms associated with MS include balance and walking issues, blurred vision, problems with cognitive thinking, focus problems, slurred speech, extreme fatigue, bladder and bowel irregularities,painful muscle spasm and sexual dysfunction are a result of an attack on the [...]

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Posted by admin - November 30, 2011 at 10:16 am

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