Explore the various Multiple Sclerosis treatments and medications available. Learn about rehabilitation therapies and who needs ongoing care.
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Treatment and Rehabilitation
Multiple sclerosis treatments focus on speeding recovery from attacks, slowing the progression of the disease, and managing symptoms. There is no cure for MS, but effective treatments can help patients live normal lives. The treatment plan is usually a combination of medications and rehabilitation therapies tailored to the individual’s needs.
The primary defense against relapsing forms of the disease involves disease modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis. These drugs work by targeting the immune system to reduce the frequency and severity of relapses. They also help prevent the development of new lesions on the brain and spinal cord. Without treatment, the disease can progress more rapidly.
Almost everyone diagnosed with a relapsing form of MS needs treatment. Current guidelines recommend starting multiple sclerosis medication as early as possible after diagnosis. Early treatment significantly reduces the amount of permanent damage to the nervous system.
Even patients with mild symptoms are encouraged to start therapy. The damage from MS can be silent, occurring even when you are not feeling new symptoms. Patients with progressive forms of MS also need treatment, although the options are more limited and focus more on symptom management and rehabilitation.
When a relapse occurs, symptoms flare up and can be disabling. Not all relapses require treatment; mild ones may resolve on their own. However, severe attacks that affect vision or mobility are usually treated with corticosteroids.
These high dose steroids are given intravenously to reduce inflammation quickly. They help close the blood brain barrier and suppress the immune system. While they shorten the duration of the relapse, they do not affect the long term progression of the disease.
Physical therapy is a cornerstone of MS care. A physical therapist can teach you stretching and strengthening exercises and show you how to use devices to make it easier to perform daily tasks. The goal is to maintain independence and safety.
Therapy focuses on:
Occupational therapy focuses on keeping you productive and independent in your daily life. Occupational therapists look at your home and work environment to recommend changes. They help you adapt to changes in your physical abilities.
Interventions include:
MS can affect the muscles used for speech and swallowing. Speech therapists work with patients to improve vocal clarity and volume. They also evaluate swallowing safety to prevent choking and aspiration.
Therapy addresses:
Beyond disease modifying therapies, doctors prescribe various medications to treat specific symptoms. This is known as symptomatic management. These drugs do not change the course of the disease but make living with it easier.
Common symptoms treated:
Plasma exchange, or plasmapheresis, is sometimes used for severe relapses that do not respond to steroids. In this process, the liquid portion of your blood (plasma) is separated from your blood cells. The blood cells are then mixed with a protein solution and put back into your body.
This procedure removes the destructive antibodies from the blood. It acts as a system reset for the immune response. It is a short term solution used in acute crisis situations rather than a long term maintenance therapy.
Lifestyle choices play a huge role in managing MS. A healthy lifestyle can improve the effectiveness of medications and reduce the severity of symptoms. This involves diet, exercise, and stress management.
Key lifestyle factors:
The cost of treating multiple sclerosis is significant globally. This includes the direct cost of medications, hospital stays, and doctor visits, as well as indirect costs like lost wages. Disease modifying therapies are among the most expensive classes of drugs.
Globally, the annual cost of medication alone can range from $20,000 to over $80,000 depending on the country and the specific drug. The lifetime cost of care for a person with MS is estimated to be in the millions. This financial burden highlights the need for accessible healthcare solutions.
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Neurology is the branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system. The nervous system is a complex, sophisticated system that regulates and coordinates body activities.
Neurology treats a vast array of conditions affecting the body’s “wiring.” These range from common issues like chronic headaches to complex degenerative diseases. Common conditions include:
Neurological diseases are often categorized by how they affect the nervous system:
You should seek a referral to a neurologist if you experience symptoms that suggest a disruption in your nervous system. Warning signs include:
While the names sound similar, these specialists treat completely different systems in the body.
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