Multiple Sclerosis Treatment: A Complete Guide to MS Treatment Options and Management
Are you experiencing numbness and tingling in your legs, along with walking difficulties? Persistent neurological symptoms often indicate central nervous system damage like multiple sclerosis or MS and require multiple sclerosis treatment.
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that mistakenly attacks myelin, the protective layer on the brain and spinal cord nerve fibres. As per a report by India Today, most Indian women between 20 and 40 years are majorly affected by MS. Disease-modifying treatment for MS plays a crucial role in slowing disease progression and reducing the frequency of relapses.
The rising prevalence of this condition makes it important to learn about multiple sclerosis treatment options and management. So, if you are looking for an answer to what are MS treatment options, keep reading to know.
How is Multiple Sclerosis Treated?
Multiple sclerosis has no permanent cure. However, several medications might help with severe MS attacks. These are:
1. Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids, like intravenous methylprednisolone and oral prednisone, reduce nerve inflammation, preventing further damage. They help reduce inflammation and speed recovery from acute relapses, but they do not prevent long-term disease progression or ongoing myelin damage.
However, it is important to note that continuous application of corticosteroids can lead to insomnia, mood swings, high blood pressure, diabetes and fluid retention. Ensure to have a word with your physician before opting for this treatment.
2. Plasmapheresis
During plasma exchange, the liquid portion of blood (plasma) is removed and replaced with albumin or donor plasma. This may be used for severe relapses that do not respond adequately to corticosteroids.
Physicians consider this option if the symptoms fail to respond well to corticosteroids. Plasma exchange mostly helps to minimise damage from an existing attack rather than preventing further incursion.
What is Disease-modifying Treatment for MS?
For primary-progressive and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, there are various disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Disease-modifying therapies are designed to reduce inflammatory disease activity, relapse rates, and the development of new lesions in certain forms of MS. Many disease-modifying therapies reduce relapse frequency and MRI evidence of disease activity, although effectiveness varies by treatment and MS subtype. These therapies can be of various forms. Take a look:
- Oral Disease Modifying Therapies: Oral DMTs include teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, diroximel fumarate, monomethyl fumarate, fingolimod, siponimod, etc.
- Injectable Disease Modifying Therapies: Physicians most commonly use 3 DMT injections such as interferon beta medicines, glatiramer acetate and ofatumumab.
- Infusion Disease Modifying Therapies: Natalizumab, ocrelizumab, ublituximab and alemtuzumab must be infused into veins for DMT.
How to Manage Multiple Sclerosis?
While medical interventions can reduce the severity and symptoms of multiple sclerosis attacks, lifestyle changes also play a crucial role in managing multiple sclerosis. Here are some changes that you may consider:
1. Nutrition-rich Diet
Whether it is MS or any other condition, a nutritious diet is a must to strengthen your body's immunity. Though there is no single diet plan that is proven beneficial for multiple sclerosis, you can include neuroprotective foods, like flaxseeds, walnuts, etc., and anti-inflammatory foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Ensure to limit the intake of processed foods, sugars and saturated fats to prepare your body from within. Patients should discuss vitamin D testing and supplementation with their healthcare provider, particularly if deficiency is suspected.
2. Mental Wellbeing
Stress and anxiety can flare up multiple sclerosis and its severity. This is why you must include stress management techniques like meditation and deep breathing exercises in your everyday routine for better mental well-being. Engage in hobbies and social activities, and reach out to a psychiatrist for optimum stress relief and emotional support.
3. Quality Sleep
Quality sleep is one of the biggest indicators of a healthy body. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, like waking up and going to bed at a strict time. Create a sleep-conducive environment in your bedroom and limit screen time to create a healthy sleep pattern.
4. Comfortable Temperature
MS patients might have heat sensitivity, which can worsen depending on the severity of the condition. Taking a cold shower, preventing outdoor activities in sunlight, and staying well-hydrated can help you handle the symptoms effectively.
5. Brain-stimulating Activities
Multiple sclerosis eventually reduces your cognitive function. This is why engaging your mind in challenging activities like puzzles and memory games helps keep your mind active and sharp. Social activities like talking to strangers and actively participating in events also preserve your cognitive function.
6. Additional Therapies
Therapies like acupuncture and body massage act as complementary aids in managing multiple sclerosis. Since multiple sclerosis affects the nerves, any activity that reduces muscle tension and pain leads to a soothing effect.
What are the Risk Factors of Multiple Sclerosis?
There are several risk factors that might trigger multiple sclerosis. Here are some of them:
- Age: While MS can occur at any age, middle-aged people (between 20 and 40 years) are mostly at risk.
- Gender: Women are more prone to developing multiple sclerosis than men. Though there is no significant research to back this data, most physicians consider the female hormones as an accountable cause behind this disparity.
- Existing Infections: The existence of other cognitive disorders or infections increases the risk of multiple sclerosis.
- Smoking: Individuals who are regular smokers are more vulnerable to developing relapsing-remitting MS than non-smokers.
- Obesity: Obesity can trigger many conditions, and MS is no exception.
- Family History: If you have a family history of MS, then you are at a high risk of getting the condition.
How Many Types of Multiple Sclerosis Are There?
There are 4 main types of multiple sclerosis. Each requires a different treatment and management plan. Knowing the type helps in selecting a treatment option. Here are the details:
1. Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS)
This is the most common type. It involves multiple relapses of new or additional symptoms, followed by partial or complete recovery.
2. Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS)
Most patients with RRMS transition to this form. In this form, the symptoms worsen with time, with or without relapses.
3. Primary Progressive MS (PPMS)
This form worsens the neurological function even from the primary stage without causing early relapses.
4. Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS)
If a patient has one episode of neurological symptoms which lead to MS-like damage but fail to meet the complete criteria of MS diagnosis, it is often marked as CIS.
Other rare forms of MS include:
- Tumefactive multiple sclerosis
- Balo’s concentric sclerosis
- Marburg variant multiple sclerosis.
Final Words
Hopefully, this multiple sclerosis treatment guide will help you in finding the right treatment and management technique. If you face persistent neurological symptoms, make an appointment with a healthcare professional.
The professional will conduct a complete diagnosis to find out the underlying disease behind the symptoms. Though MS is untreatable, patients with effective lifestyle changes and continuous treatment can manage the condition.
Reader information: This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Multiple sclerosis treatment varies based on the type of MS, disease severity, and individual health factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance and treatment recommendations. Do not delay or disregard professional medical advice based on information provided in this article.
FAQs
1. What are the top 3 warning signs of multiple sclerosis?
The top 3 warning signs of multiple sclerosis include sensory difficulties (numbness, tingling), vision problems and trouble walking.
2. Does multiple sclerosis affect the liver and kidneys?
Though the condition does not directly affect the liver and kidneys, it indirectly affects the organs due to the multiple sclerosis treatment medication side effects.
3. Is multiple sclerosis caused by the gut microbiome?
Research suggests the gut microbiome may influence immune function and potentially play a role in MS development, but it is not considered a proven cause.
