The term multiple sclerosis (MS) conjures up frightening images of life in a wheelchair—but thanks to recent advances, an MS diagnosis no longer means that disability is inevitable. This is especially good news for women, given that MS is two to three times more common in women than men.
It is now possible to detect MS earlier...begin effective treatment just about as soon as symptoms appear.. and slow the disease's progression. Yet despite this encouraging news, MS often goes undiagnosed for months or years, narrowing the window of opportunity that early treatment provides.
What you must know to protect yourself…
MS Explained
With MS, the immune system's white blood cells mistakenly attack the myelin (nerve fibers protective coating) and nerve fibers themselves in the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. This impairs the nerves' ability to transmit messages.
Women's greater vulnerability to MS may be related to hormones. MS typically strikes young adults, but it can appear as late as in one's 70s. People of northern European descent are more genetically predisposed to MS. Parents, siblings and children of MS patients have a 2% to 5% chance of developing it, too. Genes alone don't bring on the disease, however. Something in the environment-such as exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus (which causes mononucleosis) or vitamin D deficiency at a young age-seems to help trigger MS.
Diagnosis Difficulties
MS diagnosis often is delayed because the first symptoms can be vague. Patients tend to attribute them to a minor problem, such as a pinched nerve...doctors may mistake MS for spinal disk disease, vitamin B-12 deficiency or anxiety.
Any of the symptoms below merit a call to the doctor. If MS is suspected, a neurologist or MS center can run tests.
Referrals to a specialist: National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 800-344-4867, www.national mssociety.org...Consortium of MS Centers, 201487-1050, www.mscare.org.
Initial symptoms…
- Clumsiness, loss of balance
- Double vision, blurred vision
- Eye pain, facial pain
- Numb face, limbs or torso
- Shocklike sensations upon bending the neck
- Stiffness, muscle spasms
- Weakness, extreme fatigue.
Later symptoms…
- Bladder or bowel incontinence
- Difficulty becoming sexually aroused or climaxing
- Paralysis, typically in the legs
- Poor concentration and memory
- Speech or swallowing problems
Diagnosis is based on a patient's medical history, a neurological exam and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to check for damaged tissue in the brain and spinal cord. There are four types of MS…
- Relapsing-remitting MS, which affects about 85% of patients, is characterized by sudden flare-ups (relapses) of symptoms followed by periods of improvement, during which patients are stable.
- Primary progressive MS accounts for about 10% of MS cases. Symptoms worsen progressively from onset with no improvement
- Progressive-relapsing MS, which affects about 5% of patients, involves steady worsening of symptoms from onset, plus later flare-ups.
- Secondary progressive MS refers to relapsing-remitting MS that transitions to slow worsening. Patients get increasingly disabled instead of stabilizing between flare-ups.
MS is rarely fatal. Except when vital brain stem functions (such as breathing and heart rate) are affected or the disease has led to severe disability, most patients have a near-normal life expectancy
MS Treatment Today
New disease-modifying therapy (DMT) drugs are key to treatment. Starting a DMT soon after MS develops can lower the risk for long-term disability...cut the number of relapses...and lessen symptom severity during flare-ups. DMTs cannot reverse existing damage but can forestall future damage and significantly reduce the likelihood that relapsing MS will transition to progressive MS. For patients who have had MS for years, DMTs also are helpful so long as relapses are still occurring.
Each MS medication has its own pros and cons, so doctors work with each individual patient to determine the optimal treatment Options…
- Glatiramer (Copaxone) and interferon betas (Avonex, Betaseron, Rebif) are DMTS that reduce nervous system inflammation and protect nerve cells. These drugs are given by self-injection once or more weekly.
- Natalizumab (Tysabri), a monthly DMT given by intravenous infusion (IV drip) at an infusion center, targets errant white blood cells.
- Mitoxantrone (Novantrone), an intravenous chemotherapy drug, suppresses the immune system
- Prescription steroids are used during flare-ups to calm symptoms.
Natural therapies also ease MS symptoms. Examples…
- Dietary changes. MS patients may benefit from eating less saturated fat and more vitamin B-12 (found in dairy foods, eggs, meat, poultry and shellfish)...vitamin D (found in dairy foods and fish)...omega-3 fatty acids (found in fatty fish, cod liver oil and flaxseed oil)..and omega6 fatty acids (found in safflower seed oil and sunflower oil). If blood tests show a deficiency, supplements may be recommended.
- Exercise. Aerobics are known to help reduce fatigue, stress and incontinence...stretching eases stiffness.
Recommended: Yoga, tai chi, aquatics.
- Acupuncture. For many patients, this eases pain, numbness, spasms and incontinence.
- Massage. This may reduce pain, stiffness and spasticity.
On the horizon: Though still a long way off, novel therapies such as oral DMTs and a DNA vaccine to treat MS-hold some promise that, in the future, MS may become a thing of the past.
Home-Based Psoriasis Treatment
In a three-year study of 196 adults with the I skin disease psoriasis, patients received ultraviolet B therapy at a hospital two to three times weekly or self-administered the therapy at home with a phototherapy machine.
Result: Home and hospital phototherapy were equally safe and effective, and the home therapy group reported greater satisfaction.
If you suffer from psoriasis: Ask your doctor about using home-based phototherapy
Ease Arthritis with Dental Floss
In a study of 40 patients with gum disease and moderate or severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), those who received periodontal treatment had improvement in arthritis symptoms (such as pain and swollen joints) with the greatest improvement seen in patients who also took arthritis medications known as anti-TNF (tumor necrosis factor) drugs, such as etanercept (Enbrel) or infliximab (Remicade).
If you have RA or are at risk (due to family history): Be sure to brush your teeth twice daily, floss once daily and see your dentist at least twice a year.
