There is no cure or vaccine for MS. With such varying and unpredictable symptoms, not everyone uses the same treatment and management options. A treatment that may help one patient may do nothing for another patient. Treatment and management focus on quieting symptoms, slowing down accumulation of lesions, and minimizing "attacks"--a worsening of MS symptoms or appearance of new symptoms--an MS patient may experience. Some MS patients will have symptoms mild enough that treatment isn't needed.
Disease-Modifying Drugs------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corticosteroids is the most common drug group used to treat MS. These reduce inflammation that may increase during attacks or relapses.
Immunosupressants are used to treat severe and advanced MS. As its name may suggest, it suppresses the immune system and in theory should ease attacks on the CNS.
Muscle relaxants can be taken for many MS patients experiencing painful and uncontrollable muscle spasms. These drugs can improve muscle spasticity, although it may increase weakness.
Other drugs include medications for symptoms such as depression, pain, bladder and bowel problems.
Immunosupressants are used to treat severe and advanced MS. As its name may suggest, it suppresses the immune system and in theory should ease attacks on the CNS.
Muscle relaxants can be taken for many MS patients experiencing painful and uncontrollable muscle spasms. These drugs can improve muscle spasticity, although it may increase weakness.
Other drugs include medications for symptoms such as depression, pain, bladder and bowel problems.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Plasma Exchage
Plasma exchange is a process in which "whole" blood is withdrawn from the body, and the liquid portion (plasma) is removed, while the red and white blood cells are transferred back into the donor's body, along with a saline solution. The process is typically safe and can improve the lives of those suffering from MS. The reason why plasma exchange works in many is unclear. Since one theory is that MS is an autoimmune disease, experts believe that the harmful activity in the immune system could be diluted if plasma is replaced. Plasma contains antibodies, which are thought to be part of the problem for those who suffer MS.
REHABILITATION--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the variety of functioning areas MS affects, rehabilitation programs could benefit people at any stage of MS. Rehabilitation helps patients maintain strength, language/work skills, living independently, and so forth. Common rehabilitation options MS patients use are:
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Therapy for Speech and Swallowing Problems
- Cognitive Rehabilitation
- Vocational Rehabilitation
----------------------------------------------------------complimentary & Alternative Medicine
People with MS have commonly turned to complimentary and alternative medicine to relieve symptoms and in hopes to slow down progression. Methods such as hypnosis, exercise, and stress therapy have been useful in helping patients manage the disease, although the effectiveness and usefulness of different alternatives vary from person to person.
We will focus on exercise for MS patients. Exercise is key for being healthy in general, but can also help many symptoms specifically for those with MS. Research has shown that MS participants noticed ease of activies of daily living (such as getting in and out of the car or going up and down stairs) after doing approved exercise. A research study as stated on the National MS Society shows: "patients who participated in an aerobic exercise program had better cardiovascular fitness, improved strength, better bladder and bowel function, less fatigue and depression, a more positive attitude, and increased participation in social activities." Anyone who doesn't stay active isat increased risk for developing heart problems, but especially with people living with MS, inactivity increases the risk of weakness, decreased bone density, as well as shallow and inefficient breathing. It is important to note that those living with MS need to avoid stress and fatigue, as those can exacerbate symptoms and progression of the disease. Before starting an exercise program, it is important that the patient determine their own physical capabilities and how to perform exercises safely. Physical therapists are helpful since they are knowledgeable with MS and its symptoms.
Watch a video about the benefits and importance of exercise for MS patients: MS and Exercise.
We will focus on exercise for MS patients. Exercise is key for being healthy in general, but can also help many symptoms specifically for those with MS. Research has shown that MS participants noticed ease of activies of daily living (such as getting in and out of the car or going up and down stairs) after doing approved exercise. A research study as stated on the National MS Society shows: "patients who participated in an aerobic exercise program had better cardiovascular fitness, improved strength, better bladder and bowel function, less fatigue and depression, a more positive attitude, and increased participation in social activities." Anyone who doesn't stay active isat increased risk for developing heart problems, but especially with people living with MS, inactivity increases the risk of weakness, decreased bone density, as well as shallow and inefficient breathing. It is important to note that those living with MS need to avoid stress and fatigue, as those can exacerbate symptoms and progression of the disease. Before starting an exercise program, it is important that the patient determine their own physical capabilities and how to perform exercises safely. Physical therapists are helpful since they are knowledgeable with MS and its symptoms.
Watch a video about the benefits and importance of exercise for MS patients: MS and Exercise.
Cannabis----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medical marijuana is a controversial topic, although very relevant to treating MS symptoms. The plant family Cannabis in which the marijuana refers to, can be smoked, vaporized, or ingested via pill or cooked in food. Vaporizing and ingesting cannabis is a better alternative to those who don't want to harm their respiratory system by smoking. People with MS have used cannabis, or marijuana, to relieve their symptoms, especially pain and muscle stiffness. A research published this year conducted a study demonstrate that oral cannabis extract could relieve muscle stiffness and pain better than a placebo.* As with any treatment, not all patients who have tried cannabis report a relief of symptoms.
There is still a lot of research that needs to be done on cannabis, especially on its active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol. Unfortunately, research efforts have been hindered due to political issues with marijuana. There is no clear answer whether marijuana is generally beneficial for MS patients, and even experts in the field have different opinions. It is important to know your options, especially for a disease as complicated as MS.
Relevant Articles
2012
Smoked cannabis for spasticity in multiple sclerosis: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial Canadian Medical Association Journal
*Marijuana Extract Relieves Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Medical News Today
Marijuana (Cannabis) National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Smoking Medical Marijuana May Decrease Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Huffington Post
2011:
Medical Marijuana May Impair Thinking of MS Patients Web MD
2010:
Medical Marijuana: Review and Analysis of Federal and State Policies Congressional Research Service
ABC News interview with Texas medical marijuana pain patient Tim Timmons and Texas Compassion Care Coalition President Steve Betzen.
There is still a lot of research that needs to be done on cannabis, especially on its active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol. Unfortunately, research efforts have been hindered due to political issues with marijuana. There is no clear answer whether marijuana is generally beneficial for MS patients, and even experts in the field have different opinions. It is important to know your options, especially for a disease as complicated as MS.
Relevant Articles
2012
Smoked cannabis for spasticity in multiple sclerosis: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial Canadian Medical Association Journal
*Marijuana Extract Relieves Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Medical News Today
Marijuana (Cannabis) National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Smoking Medical Marijuana May Decrease Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Huffington Post
2011:
Medical Marijuana May Impair Thinking of MS Patients Web MD
2010:
Medical Marijuana: Review and Analysis of Federal and State Policies Congressional Research Service
ABC News interview with Texas medical marijuana pain patient Tim Timmons and Texas Compassion Care Coalition President Steve Betzen.