What are the best treatments for Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disabling disease in which brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) are potentially damaged.
Basically, the immune system attacks the protective sheath that covers nerve fibres and develops communication problems between your brain and the rest of the body.

Eventually, this causes physical, mental and sometimes, psychiatric problems that are concluded as the signs and symptoms of MS. Though, it also depends on the amount of nerve damage. Hence, the person loses the ability to walk independently.

Other symptoms are as follows:

1.      Weakness in one or more limbs

2.      Painful eye movement, partial or complete loss of vision - Vision problems

3.      Fatigue

4.      Dizziness

5.      Chronic pain

6.      Problems with speech or swallowing

Treatment

There is no particular cure for MS. The treatment mainly focuses on speedy recovery from attacks, slowing down the progression of MS and trying to lessen the impact of MS symptoms. In some cases, MS is quite mild that treatment isn’t possible.

Multiple Treatments

1.      Corticosteroids such as oral prednisone and intravenous methylprednisolone, are prescribed to relief the inflamed areas of the body and reduces swelling, itching, redness and other allergic diseases. Though one could suffer insomnia, fluctuation in blood pressure, and mood swings.

2.      Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) In this procedure, the liquid part of the blood is removed and separated from your blood cells. These blood cells are then mixed with a protein solution, albumin and put back in the body. This treatment could make a positive impact if you are a sufferer just a few days back.

Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) is the only FDA-approved disease-modifying therapy for primary-progressive MS. This antibiotic slowdowns the worsening condition of the patient, though doesn’t cure fully.

Other Treatments

1.      Physical Therapy: In this procedure, a physical therapist helps the patient in stretching exercises that should be done on daily basis. It aids in managing leg numbness or weakness.

2.      Muscle Relaxtants: As you may experience stiffness in your legs. In this case, you may be prescribed to have baclofen (Lioresal) and tizanidine (Zanaflex).

3.      Other Medications: You are also prescribed medicines that may reduce fatigue to some extent, for depression, pain, bowel control problems or sexual dysfunction, associated with MS.

Change in Life-style

Like every other disease, you must follow a good lifestyle in MS as well.

1.      You are advised to get proper rest.

2.      Regular exercise helps improve your strength, coordination, muscle tone. Swimming could be a good option as well.

3.      Its symptoms could make you short-tempered. You should avoid exposure to sun, heat and use cooling devices such as cooling scarves, etc.

4.      Follow a regular balanced diet low in saturated fats and high in omega-3 fatty acids.

 Reference: Komal Khera