Managing MS

What is MS?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease where an abnormal response occurs in the immune system. A certain immune-mediated process is directed against the central nervous system, the myelin. This disrupts messaging within the central nervous system.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society says this happens because T cells release chemicals that cause inflammation and enlist other cells to help like B cells. In addition, T regulatory cells usually inhibit this inflammation but in MS they do not function properly.

As a result, people with MS can suffer from differing symptoms of varying degrees.

Common symptoms are fatigue, thinking problems, vision problems, optic neuritis, depression, pain, digestive problems, clumsiness or lack of coordination, dizziness, heart-related problems, reproductive issues, muscle spasms, speech problems, tremors, and unusual sensations.

The cause(s) of MS is unknown, but there is believed to be certain factors that can increase one’s risk of developing MS. Possible contributors include:

Genetic susceptibility
Immune system abnormalities
Environmental factors
Immunologic factors
Infectious factors

According to one study, nearly 1 million people are living with MS in the United States. Also, there are four basic types of MS: clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing remitting, secondary progressive, and primary progressive.

How can it be treated?

WebMD says medical treatments for MS include medications, physical therapy, or alternative and complementary therapies. These are things like acupuncture, yoga, relaxation, herbal remedies, and massage.

Other options could be to:

Keep a positive attitude– it can ease stress
Exercise– types like tai chi and yoga can lower stress and increase energy
Eat healthy– eating certain foods will give you needed nutrients
Get a massage– can help you relax and reduce stress and depression
Use evening primrose oil– may improve symptoms
Try marijuana– can relieve muscle spasms and other symptoms
Undergo pulsed electromagnetic field therapy– can reduce the feeling of “pins and needles”

Alternative treatments are meant to treat the symptoms of MS and not the disease itself.

Hackensack Meridian Health claims outside of medication, traditional treatments consist of neuropsychology evaluations, swallow and speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy, sexual dysfunction care, and resilience counseling.

These treatments are meant to improve the patient’s quality of life by slowing the progression of the disease.

It is important to discuss treatments with your doctor because some alternatives, like herbs, could interact with medication.

“So far, the only treatments proved to affect the course of the disease are disease-modifying medicines, such as interferon beta,” claims the University of Michigan. “Other types of treatment should not replace these medicines if you are a candidate for treatment with them.”

They say alternative treatments could just work in part because of the placebo effect. But they have shown a reduction in stress, depression, fatigue, and muscle tension. They talk about magnetic therapy and reflexology as two of these therapies.

Magnetic therapy could help fight fatigue for some individuals but is unlikely to reduce depression. Reflexology is when a therapist applies pressure to certain points on the feet; it can relieve skin symptoms like tingling or numbness.

Not to mention, some believe certain things can increase the chances of experiencing MS symptoms and that if such things are prevented then they won’t experience severe symptoms.

Some of these supposed things are dietary deficiencies, sensitivity to foods and environmental toxins, stress and trauma, infection, and circulatory system issues. In order to prevent something like dietary deficiencies, many people turn to supplements or change their diets for the better.

Again, alternative therapies won’t cure MS but can help if used along with regular treatment. At the least, they can help you relax and let off some steam.