Multiple Sclerosis Misconceptions

Receiving a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) will strike fear in the hearts of most patients. The very name of the disease conjures images of permanent disabilities and thoughts of wheelchairs. It is a myth that MS is an automatic death sentence, or a debilitating disease that will render most patients incapable of living a normal life and life span. The fact is that there are currently over 400,000 Americans living productive lives with this disease and less than 25% are confined to a wheelchair or bed. It is also a myth that once you are in a wheelchair or bed that it will be a permanent need. It is a fact that relapses can cause such conditions as mobility issues and even paralysis that could necessitate the use of a wheelchair or confinement to a bed. Most often, however, these conditions are temporary.

Adjusting to the myriad of myths surrounding MS can be more difficult than coping with the often painful disease. While research continues, it is a fact that there is no cure for this condition, but it is a myth that there are no medical treatments. There are many ways to help control the course of this disease. Through medication, therapy, exercise, diet and simple lifestyle changes, the progression of MS can frequently be slowed. Most importantly, a positive attitude with less stress and the loving support of family and friends can also contribute to a more healthy life.

Another myth that surrounds the mystery of this disease is that it is contagious. MS is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and the central nervous system. It affects more Caucasian women between the ages of 20 and 40, but it can affect anyone of any race, gender and age. Although no cure has been found for this disease, it is a fact that medical research has established that Multiple Sclerosis is not contagious.

It is a myth that MS patients cannot and should not have children. MS patients can indeed have children. In fact, pregnancy and childbirth have no long-term effect on this disease. It is a fact that MS is not a hereditary disease. Research has also shown that the chance of a child born to an affected person has only one to five percent greater risk of developing this disease.

Many more myths than facts surround this disease. It is a fact, however, that close monitoring by doctor and patient is imperative in helping control the symptoms of this disease. Research that helps dispel the many myths surrounding this condition can also contribute greatly to a healthier mind and body

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

Are you suffering from multiple sclerosis and need to know what your treatment options are? Do you need information on how to be able to manage your condition effectively? Keep reading because we have the information that you are looking for all in one convenient location.

There are a few different treatment options available for those who are suffering with multiple sclerosis. The type of treatment options available to you will vary based on how severe your condition is and what your symptoms are at this point in time.

Generally, the first line of treatment for multiple sclerosis is medications. Medications are generally effective to slow down the progression of multiple sclerosis. Those who begin treatment are better off physically than those who delay their treatments. It has been noted that permanent damage to the nervous system can occur early in the disease so it is imperative to obtain treatment as early as possible to prevent any further damage to your body.

Some of the medications that have been used to treat multiple sclerosis are Interferon Beta, Glatiramer, Mitoxantrone, Fingolimod and Natalizumab. These medications are not going to cure the disease but, they may help in reducing the overall number, frequency, and severity of relapses with people who have the form of multiple sclerosis that is relapsing-remitting.

These medications can also help in reducing or delaying the disabilities with MS. Secondary progression MS has also been treated using these medications and it can help to slow down the progression of the disease.

Other treatment options include physical therapy, occupational therapy and non-medical treatments done within your own home can help you to effectively manage your symptoms and adjust your living and work environments appropriately. In the end you are probably going to need to take medications for the long term to prevent any further problems and slow down the progression of your disease.

Your doctor can help you to determine what the best treatment options are for you to be able to function at the best of your ability. There are different plans of action for everyone and it is just a matter of determining what the best one is for your specific form of multiple sclerosis and how far along you are in the disease. Don’t let the disease take control of you anymore. Take control of your future and speak with your doctor today. This way you can begin your treatment plan as soon as possible to prevent any further damage to your system.

Multiple Sclerosis Facts

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease which affects the spinal cord and brain. An autoimmune disease is one in which the immune system begins to malfunction and attack normal healthy tissues, in this case, the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. As the body attacks the nerves, scar tissue is formed around them as part of the body’s natural healing process. This scar tissue, or sclerosis, then begins to build up and block the signals coming to and from the brain. Nerve impulses are what control basic motor functions such as talking and walking. It is this inability of the brain to send and receive these messages that causes the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, or MS.

Symptoms of MS are dependent upon the stage and degree of progression of the disease. Early symptoms generally include loss of balance, numbness, tingling, tremors, blurred or double vision and weakness in one or more limbs. Lack of coordination, sudden onset of paralysis, slurred speech and cognitive difficulties are among the less common symptoms of MS. As the disorder progresses and worsens, often so do the symptoms. Later stages of the disease may be accompanied by fatigue, muscle spasms, sensitivity to heat, sexual disturbances and changes in perception or thinking. Rarely, seizures and breathing problems may occur. The symptoms listed here are all in a category known as primary symptoms, dysfunctions caused directly by the lack of nerve impulses being transmitted to and from the brain. The medical field also recognizes secondary and tertiary symptoms. Secondary symptoms of MS are a byproduct or result of the primary symptoms. Tertiary symptoms are psychological, social, and vocational difficulties that arise as a result of the primary and secondary symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

To date, multiple sclerosis has no known cure. There are, however, treatments available that help relieve the symptoms of the disease and slow its progression. Basic treatment for MS is intended to modify the disease, thus slowing its effects. This is done through FDA-approved disease-modifying agents including Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, Extavia, Gilenya, Novantrone, Rebif and Tysabri. Once the appropriate medication is chosen, treatment becomes focused on management of symptoms. While symptoms of MS vary greatly from person to person, this generally consists of rehabilitation programs which focus on function. These can include physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as cognitive and vocational rehabilitation. Alternative medicine can also play a significant role in increasing one’s sense of well-being while struggling with multiple sclerosis. These can include lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, herbal supplements, relaxation techniques, naturopathy and Chinese medicine, among others.

As with any disease, there are a few common misconceptions about MS. For example, the idea that multiple sclerosis is always a fatal disease. According to statistics, many people diagnosed and treated with MS live an average lifespan. Fatality is often a result of complications in very advanced stages of the disease. Another common myth is that everyone with MS ends up in a wheelchair. The truth is that mobility issues among patients with MS vary greatly among cases. Many are able to continue walking unassisted, while some need the help of a mobility aid. Diseases such as multiple sclerosis should be researched and every attempt to educate ones self should be made before assuming such statements as these, and others, to be true. For more detailed information regarding MS, talk to a qualified healthcare professional and do not attempt to diagnose by yourself.