Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Multiple sclerosis treatment today offers a number of options, both conventional and natural.
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that is potentially debilitating as it affects your central nervous system. In this disease, the immune system attacks the components of nerve fibers in the nervous system. This affects muscular abilities and accelerates muscular degradation.
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease that varies in severity from patient to patient. Unfortunately there is no complete cure for multiple sclerosis as it is recurrent by nature, but in most cases it is a mild condition and there are various multiple sclerosis treatments that can relieve the symptoms.
Conventional Treatment
If your symptoms are severe or you suffer from frequently recurring attacks your doctor may prescribe disease modifying medications like beta interferon’s that help combat viral infections and also assist in the regulation of the immune system.
You may also be prescribed glatiramer, corticosteroids, muscle relaxants, and medications to reduce fatigue.
Alternative and Complimentary Treatment
In addition to your prescription treatment for multiple sclerosis, it would be wise to go in for physical and occupational therapy.
- Since multiple sclerosis affects muscular ability, physiotherapy aims at helping the patient recover from an attack, as well as preventing disability. During these sessions your therapist would teach you strengthening exercises to optimize muscle control and mobility.
- Since fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis, it would be better if you refrain from strenuous sports or exercise. However regular aerobic exercises will improve muscle tone, strength as well as balance and coordination, without leaving you exhausted.
- It has been seen that many patients suffering from multiple sclerosis often complain of severe bouts of depression or anxiety. Yoga helps the individual to combat depression through various relaxation techniques. It is now gaining recognition as it also helps to mitigate fatigue and increase flexibility. There are various multiple sclerosis programs that employ both the principles of yoga as well as tai chi.
Most of these programs focus on an improvement in the overall quality of life of the patient.
There are a number of common conditions that can also trigger an attack. Infections like the common cold, gastroenteritis, and influenza, significantly increase the risk of a relapse. Recent research also hints at the possibility of emotional and physical stress being triggers, so eliminating these conditions can help reduce the risk of a relapses. Although a multiple sclerosis cure evades us new research appears quite promising.
|
