Archive for the ‘Multiple Sclerosis’ Category

Not Everyone With Multiple Sclerosis Is On Treatment

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

The following article lists some simple, informative tips that will help you have a better experience with Multiple Sclerosis.

Why treatment is considered a must

Having multiple sclerosis types such as relapsing ? remitting, progressive ? relapsing and secondary ? progressive means that a doctor must be consulted as quickly as possible since taking or undergoing of disease ?modifying treatment is a must at this point.

Even though there are no exacerbations, or painful and unmanageable symptoms or a present hate of needles, a physician must be consulted right away. Despite the fact that MS-related drugs have some side effects and are oftentimes inconvenient, they are still very helpful in reducing the risk for relapses and can even decrease the severity of disability for most.

However, some of those who are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis choose not to undergo treatment. In a certain study that focused on the patterns of prescription of all of the MS drugs that are known to modify the disease process and its progression, ninety-two percent visit doctors while sixty-percent opt not to have therapy.

Common assumptions

There are some costly fees associated with private insurance that seem to deter them from having therapy.

There are those with only mild symptoms, more likely in the first stages of the disorder, and choose to postpone treatment. It seems like they would want to see first what happens if they do not accept treatment. In other cases, the doctors are the ones who advise their patients to delay having therapy, especially if the symptoms are only mild in severity.

In some cases, both the patient and the physician want to see first the results of a new medication.

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Most of the time, those with MS just do not take treatment simply because they do not fully understand the pros and the cons of having or not having it. Some patients are also told by their corresponding doctors not to have treatment because they do not fit for the criteria for taking the certain treatment modality.

The many differences in the patient-physician communication can limit the uptake of the treatment.

Some doctors believe that the suitability of the medications can halt them from giving drug prescriptions. What the doctors know regarding internal organizational policies and rules about using drugs related to multiple sclerosis therapy may also halt them from openly prescribing such medications.

Dislike of needles

People diagnosed with multiple sclerosis are usually scared of needles. Actually, they are probably afraid of needles even before their multiple sclerosis onsets. It is a known fact that this part is definitely no fun.

None of the drugs for treating multiple sclerosis can be taken per orem, which means orally. This means that they have no other choice but to endure an intramuscular, intravenous or a subcutaneous form of the drug.

The drug’s side effects

In most cases, people just hate taking drugs. This is usually because they are afraid of the side effects that may occur. This fear is explainable and understandable but emphasis should still be given to older MS drugs such as Copaxone, Avonex, Rebif and Betaseron since they are all safe to take.

When in doubt about a certain drug, neurologists can be consulted since they are knowledgeable on which treatment methods fit a certain type of lifestyle. Also, they can provide some tips regarding the management of side effects.

Of course, it’s impossible to put everything about Multiple Sclerosis into just one article. But you can’t deny that you’ve just added to your understanding about Multiple Sclerosis, and that’s time well spent.

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The Clinical Part Of Multiple Sclerosis

Sunday, April 11th, 2010

Do you ever feel like you know just enough about Multiple Sclerosis to be dangerous? Let’s see if we can fill in some of the gaps with the latest info from Multiple Sclerosis experts.

What is MS?

MS is a short term given to a debilitating disease called multiple sclerosis. This disease is very unpredictable and can actually range from benign to something that was highly devastating. This is so because the communication pattern that normally occurs between the brain and the rest of the body is greatly damaged.

According to scientific research, MS is an autoimmune disease. This means that the body’s immune system launches an attack against its very own underlying tissues and cells. In multiple sclerosis, the part that is most affected is the myelin.

The myelin

The myelin is a sheath that covers the nerve fibers in order to protect it. Aside from protection, it also acts as an insulator. It is the myelin that is directly attacked in a case of MS.

Many have released reports saying that assaults to the myelin are triggered by environmental factors like a kind of bacteria or virus.

About its onset

Most of those who complain with multiple sclerosis belong to the age group between twenty and forty years old. They initially complain of double vision, blurred vision, blindness in one eye or both, and also a color distortion between the reds and the greens. Aside from visual disturbances, there are also muscular disturbances such as muscle weakness in the person’s extremities, accompanied by difficulty in balance and coordination.

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The muscular symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis may vary in severity. For instance, some cases could be severe which often render the person have a permanently impaired walking. In fact, some are even unfortunate to even have their balance by just standing impaired.

In a worst case of MS, the person is left with either partial or complete paralysis that is accompanied with paresthesia. This accompanying symptom is basically the abnormal feelings of sensation usually along the extremities. The extremities would feel numb and prickling like as if a there are a thousand pins and needles.

In other cases of multiple sclerosis, those who are with complaint experience pain. And pain is a subjective matter. Therefore, if they say it is painful, then it must be truly painful.

People with multiple sclerosis also experience speech impairments, dizziness and tremors. The recently mentioned symptoms are the ones they usually complain of. Occasionally, these symptoms are accompanied with hearing loss and impairments with the person’s cognition. With this kind of problem, the person will definitely have a hard time with concentration, memory, judgment and attention.

Treatment for MS

As of now, there still has been no discovery for an effective cure for multiple sclerosis. Research has been continuous and the findings have remained very consistent. However, no cure still has been established.

Some people actually prefer not to take any MS therapy, since several of the medications for multiple sclerosis have some serious side effects which pose high risks. An example of such medication is the Beta Interferon.

There are three famous brands of the aforementioned drug, namely, Rebif, Avonex and Betaseron. These three drugs have already been approved by the FDA or the Food and Drug Administration with regards to the use of those with the relapsing ? remitting type of multiple sclerosis.

About the Author
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Is Cannabis Use Beneficial For Multiple Sclerosis?

Saturday, April 10th, 2010

The following article lists some simple, informative tips that will help you have a better experience with Multiple Sclerosis.

Some medical researchers have grouped together to look for tests that can evaluate some extracts of the cannabis such as the cannabidiol or CBD and the delta9-tetrahydrocanabinnol or the THC. According to their findings, a therapeutic advantage and benefit can be derived from the combination of the two aforementioned extracts, especially towards the relief of spasticity involved with multiple sclerosis.

What is spasticity?

Spasticity is a general term given to involuntary muscular contractions which are very common to multiple sclerosis. Many treatment modalities directed at this symptom of MS have rendered themselves somewhat ineffective and intolerable.

In this study by experts form the Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation, namely Marie Rowland and Shaheen Lakhan, certain side effects from cannabis have the ability to limit spasticity. The intoxication from cannabis, otherwise termed as marijuana, is actually necessary for limiting spasticity. But of course, the effects vary depending on how much cannabis was taken to intoxicate. The study they conducted in Los Angeles indicates that cannabinoids have a therapeutic effect for multiple sclerosis.

The trial

People with MS who have significant leg muscle spasticity were called in from different places to take part in this experiment. There were sixteen respondents, six had primary ? progressive while ten of the respondents had the secondary ? progressive type. The average age was forty-six years old having MS for an average of fifteen years.

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There were three groups, each of which has been allocated a certain treatment. One was set for cannabis oil, the second for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is a cannabis constituent. And lastly, the placebo capsules which only contained vegetable oil.

The multiple sclerotic people were instructed to take the drugs and reach a specific level of medication in the first five weeks of the trial, but before passing eight weeks of monitoring.

Those who took the treatment, including the physicians, have no idea which mode of treatment has been taken. Everything will only be found right after the results of the study has been determined. Physicians were tasked to assess the stiffness of the muscles and their mobility every couple of weeks. Aside from physical assessment, postal questionnaires were also utilized. All of the side effects were to be taken down.

Physicians measured the muscle tone by using a categorical scale that holds 0 as normal, 1 as mild elevation, 2 as more marked elevation, 3 as considerable increase, and 4 as rigid limb upon flexion or extension for both the arms and the legs. They had to have a score of two for inclusion.

The results

Most of what came out as results were initially anecdotal at best and somewhat difficult to interpret. But after some time of further analysis, the meaning of the results was finally determined.

The cannabinoids that were taken orally were most helpful. However, such result was not observed in all patients, only in those who smoked the cannabis. Actually, other tests in the previous years have shown their results regarding the effect of cannabinoids in controlling spasticity.

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What Multiple Sclerotic People Should Avoid during Christmas

Saturday, April 10th, 2010

Imagine the next time you join a discussion about Multiple Sclerosis. When you start sharing the fascinating Multiple Sclerosis facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed.

It is a known fact that amidst the Christmas gift-giving and delicious food, the holidays can oftentimes be fairly stressful. Aside from having to personally and actively participate in a number of festivities, it also a must to consistently behave in a festive attitude. Moreover, such event could be even more stressful for those who have multiple sclerosis. The disease’s symptoms and the holidays just do no jive.

In short, if having an active jovial personality for everyone to see during the holidays is not a usual thing, especially with a debilitating disorder, then expect a lot of stress. However, stress is a common accompaniment of the holidays. Christmas time is just not complete without it. There has to be a rush whenever it is time for Christmas shopping, falling in those long lines, having to wrestle items with someone else who claims he or she saw that thing first. The holidays are basically stressful.

This is why sometimes some people get offended because of a case of misunderstanding. And face it; no one wants to have an enemy or someone loathe you during Christmas season. So for those who have multiple sclerosis or MS and are usually left stressed out during the holidays, here is a list of what must be avoided to avoid getting overstressed.

Avoid crowds.

One of the worst symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis is the cognitive dysfunction. This means that communication is not an area a person with MS could excel in. They cannot easily keep up with a certain conversation regardless of who the conversation is with, but especially if there are more than two people who are conversing. With this said, it would be near to impossible to see people with MS randomly chatting with unfamiliar people because of the jovial atmosphere.

To avoid getting stressed out, at the same time still enjoy the company of other familiar people during Christmas season, people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis should just avoid attending parties if most of the attendants are unknown, and also finding corners within a room where a more quite and intimate conversation can be done.

Think about what you’ve read so far. Does it reinforce what you already know about Multiple Sclerosis? Or was there something completely new? What about the remaining paragraphs?

Avoid unnecessary noise.

Another symptom with MS is the inability to keep a steady train of thought, especially if the noise is too much to take. This means any loud music, the TV playing at high volume or people shouting and cheering. These kinds of environment are the ones that the people with MS should be avoiding.

Think of the risk for infection.

Those with multiple sclerosis are not hypochondriacs, who, in turn, are people who are very paranoid about getting sick. But still, since the immune system is at its lowest, then the risk for infection is high.

Of course, they cannot be locked inside their own homes. Despite the fact that they have MS, they also still have a life to live. They also do not have to act like astronauts in wearing all that protective gear. What they have to avoid are febrile illnesses such as the flu. With today’s pandemic, the H1N1, people with MS have to be extra careful.

To avoid getting such life-threatening diseases, immunocompromised people with multiple sclerosis should make sure that they get the necessary vaccines ahead of time. Also, places that have sick people must be avoided. This does not only mean hospitals or clinics. This also means houses of family or friends who house a sick person like someone who caught the flu.

That’s the latest from the Multiple Sclerosis authorities. Once you’re familiar with these ideas, you’ll be ready to move to the next level.

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More Information On Multiple Sclerosis

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

You should be able to find several indispensable facts about Multiple Sclerosis in the following paragraphs. If there’s at least one fact you didn’t know before, imagine the difference it might make.

What is it?

Multiple sclerosis, or otherwise known as MS, is actually a disease that affects the nerves of the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain and the spinal cord. In MS, the central nervous system starts to degenerate.

Myelin, which is the protection and insulation for the underlying nerves, is damaged in MS. Since it is responsible for the correct transmission of messages and conduction of impulses that goes along the nerves, any form of damage to it will render the nervous system useless as it may no longer have any control over the entire body. The inflammation associated with MS cause the disappearance of the myelin, leaving the nerve fibers open and completely unprotected.

It is a sad consequence that the electrical impulses being sent along the nerves begin to decelerate and then become very slow. More nerves are damaged because of this condition and the body’s normal functioning are interfered. Normal functions controlled by the body’s nervous system like walking; memory, vision, speech and writing are greatly interfered.

Its distribution in the USA

According to statistical findings, there are more than three hundred fifty thousand people, who live in the United States of American alone, have multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis, up to now, is still an idiopathic disease which means its definite cause still remains unknown. For the last two decades, scientists and researchers have done their best in finding more about the disorders that are associated with the immune system. Moreover, many findings have indicated that multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease.

Think about what you’ve read so far. Does it reinforce what you already know about Multiple Sclerosis? Or was there something completely new? What about the remaining paragraphs?

The immune system acts against its own.

The body’s immune system acts as the body’s defender against foreign and harmful substances. If there is any aggressor in the midst, the immune system acts right away, identifying the enemy and attacking the invader until the invader is either dead or weak. This whole response is greatly dependent on the proper communication between the immune cells and the production of new cells for the fight against the foreign substance.

After the myelin is damaged, some of it can be repaired as most disappear once the nerves are stripped of their myelin covering. Scarring results and particles are deposited right into the scars formed. Eventually, the forming of scars will lead to the formation of plaques.

Genetics

The role of genetics is not very clear with regards to multiple sclerosis. But still, reports have determined that Eskimos, European gypsies and the African Bantus do not develop multiple sclerosis. On the other hand, the Japanese, Asians and the Native Indians of both North and South America experience multiple sclerosis but with a low incidence.

The possibility of the general population to develop MS is only one percent. However, for those who have family members, who had the disease before, or at present, increase the chance, especially if it is a first-degree relative.

A first-degree family member such as parent, sister or brother also has a one to three percent of actually having the debilitating disorder. But with twins, things become more difficult. An identical twin has a thirty percent chance of having the disease, where as the nonidentical twin gets only four percent.