Multiple sclerosis (MS) can be classified as an autoimmune disease. The immune system mistakes healthy cells for pathogens, resulting in an attack. They attack the myelin cells, the brain-protective sheath, the spinal cord, and the eyes. The condition is of four types:
- Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS): is the first stage of MS disease and is known as CIS. However, this stage may not lead to multiple sclerosis.
- Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS): is ubiquitous among victims. Victims can flare up, called relapse or exacerbation, considered new or worsened symptoms. The symptoms may stabilize and disappear after a while.
- Primary progressive MS (PPMS): victims of PPMS slowly and gradually get worse and do not experience a period of relapse or remission.
- Secondary progressive MS (SPMS): victims of RRMS often graduate to SPMS. The stage causes more nerve damage with worsened symptoms. You can experience some level of relapse or flares, but when symptoms worsen, the victim cannot experience remission.
Before exploring the treatment options, here are some possible causes of multiple sclerosis:
What Causes Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
Research has not concluded on the leading causes of multiple sclerosis. Experts are still trying to understand and identify the grounds, but here are some factors that may trigger the disease:
- Viruses or bacteria: Some infections, like the Epstein-Barr virus, can lead to MS in the future.
- The environment can expose us to MS, especially in places with high disease rates and farther from the equator. These places experience less sun, which leads to lower Vit D, a factor that can result in MS, according to research.
- Immune system functions: since it is an autoimmune disease, research is still ongoing on why immune cells attack healthy cells.
- Gene mutations: MS can result from heredity. An individual from a family with MS can trigger the disease, but the research is still unclear.
When to start Multiple Sclerosis treatment?
MS is best diagnosed during the early stages when the symptoms are mild to prevent further brain and spinal cord damage by the immune system. Early treatment has proven to improve long-term clinical results and the victim’s overall health. The increase in the medical and scientific community is to find ways to tackle the diseases, according to a publication in 2018 on the importance of early therapeutic intervention to slow the attack on the brain. The simple fact is to attack the disease before the MS leads to irreparable damage and limits the brain’s repair mechanism.
Treatments for Multiple Sclerosis attacks
The attack is often referred to as relapse or flare-up, which is the exhibition of new or worsened symptoms. A fare-up in the body results from inflammation in the central nervous system. The attack can have different severity rates, and not all work with the available methods.
The treatment is based on the victim’s condition. Abortive therapies are the standard form of treatment available for MS victims. These options include:
Use CBD Oil: this derivative of the Cannabis Sativa plant has proven helpful in managing various chronic diseases. As a result, it can reduce the symptoms of MS. Since CBD oil UK can reduce pain, it is a good option for people dealing with this issue.
- Corticosteroids, including glucocorticoids like prednisone and methylprednisolone, are one of the options for treating severe relapse. They act like the glucocorticoid hormones referred to as cortisol in the body to reduce inflammation and improve a victim’s well-being.
- Product with active adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is an alternative option for managing MS for patients that are not responding to corticosteroid treatment or have allergies to the medication. ACTH is prescribed to reduce inflammation and improve relapse recovery by increasing the production of cortisol and other adrenocortical hormones.
- Plasmapheresis, also known as plasma exchange, involves eliminating and replacing the patient’s plasma. This procedure removes antibodies and other proteins that trigger MS inflammation. In addition, it gives patients resistance to corticosteroid therapy.
Are Complementary Therapies for MS Helpful?
Multiple Sclerosis treatment consists of pharmaceutics intervention to curb the disease and symptoms, while therapies are for other care. These include:
- Physical therapy
Physical therapy works with exercises to strengthen muscles and improve balance, gait, and coordination. The treatment is to keep the patient at optimal function and to deal with swollen issues. The therapy also helps the patient with daily activities like dressing and bathing.
- Exercise
Medical personnel recommend regular exercise to reduce fatigue and many other symptoms. In addition, the act improves cardiovascular function, strength, mood swings, and bladder function. The exercises are sometimes added with CBD oil to enhance sleep, rest, and lower symptoms of MS. Exercise program is arranged according to a patient’s condition and capability and may include swimming, yoga, and tai chi.
- Diet
Various diets are still testing to produce a specific diet for alleviating MS. However, it is recommended to have proper nutrition and a healthy diet by eating different fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, lean meat, and beans. Also, they are to avoid processed or refined foods, sugar, saturated fats, and salt.
Conclusion
MS depreciates the central nervous system, including the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. The condition leverages immune cells to attack healthy nerve cells in the body. There are no specific treatments but only treatments to manage the condition. The treatment is to reduce relapses or flare-ups, slow the diocese’s effectiveness and improve overall health. However, some patients can manage symptoms and live an active life.
