Managing The Disease : Management

One reason effective prevention measures have yet to be developed is that the cause of multiple sclerosis is still not fully understood. Researchers believe that a combination of factors, both genetic and environmental, contribute to the development of multiple sclerosis. Though scientists haven't figured out a way to prevent MS, there are some things that affect your risk of developing MS, incidences of MS are higher in North America, southern Australia, and northern Europe, suggesting that the farther you live from the equator, the greater your risk for developing the disease. According to Dr. Chitnis, vitamin D is also the biggest diet related factor in the possible prevention of MS. Vitamin D is naturally present in fatty fish and is added to milk, some cereal products, and a few other foods. Growing evidence suggests that smoking not only increases the risk of developing MS, but it also increases the severity and hastens the progression of the disease. Given its many health benefits, quitting smoking — or not starting in the first place — is an obvious step to take for anyone who wishes to lower their risk of

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, progressive neurological disease affecting all aspects of life: physical, cognitive, emotional, and social (Abma). It is known as an autoimmune disease, Where the body’s immune system turns against the body and destroys the protective covering that surrounds nerve cells. This damage to the nerve cells causes many problems for the patient including weakness, muscle stiffness, poor coordination and balance, tingling, numbness, tremors, blurred vision, slurred speech, and memory and concentration problems (Bren)

Massage is a very common form of therapy for all sorts of things, from stress to chronic pain. There have been numerous studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of massage in helping to manage patients’ pain while keeping them off medication. The benefit of this type of treatment is pain relief through manipulation of the body. The mechanism of action is, once again, unknown, but it is thought to be related to stimulation of muscles and the blood flow being increased. There are

Having the disease multiple sclerosis can affect one's life tremendously. In the essay, "On Being A Cripple", the author Nancy Mairs suffers from the disease and has a love-hate relationship with it. Socially, it appears that although Mairs has the disease, she accepts it and does normal things like going on vacations with her family. However, personally, it's hard for her at times and she gets into a depressed state and wishes she didn't have the disease when she has a falling or an incident. Multiple Sclerosis, also referred to as “MS”, is a disease that can affect one's brain, spinal cord, and eyes.

Multiple Sclerosis, commonly known as MS is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Scientists have been studying MS since the 19th century. In MS, the body’s immune system produces cells and antibodies that attack myelin in your brain which is essential for the nerves in your brain and spinal cord to conduct electricity to perform its function. The attack on myelin results in vison loss, paralysis, numbness, muscle weakness, difficulty walking, stiffness, spasms, and bladder and bowel problems. MS has varying degrees of severity and affects people between the ages of 20-50, mostly women. Although there are treatments, there is no cause and cure yet.

Multiple Sclerosis is an inflammatory demyelinating neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system that has the potential to cause significant disability in those affected through the body's immune system attacking and destroying the myelin sheaths surrounding the axons. Myelin is rich in lipids and proteins that form layers around the nerve fibers and acts as insulation and protection. This damage to the myelin in the CNS, and to the actual nerve fibers, has the potential to block the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and spinal cord and also other parts of the body. This disruption of the nerve signals produces the primary symptoms of MS which then possibly lead to secondary and tertiary symptoms stemming from these

If you know anyone with Multiple Sclerosis or MS, you would know how terrible the disease is. Multiple Sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which your immune system attacks the nerve cell covers in the brain and spine are damaged. The nerves in the body eventually deteriorate and it is fatal. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the cause of Multiple sclerosis is still unknown. There is not a cure at the moment for Multiple Sclerosis, but there are treatments that can speed recovery when attacked by the disease (Mayo Clinic). Scientists are under the impressions that there are a few factors that may come into play. They say that when they discover the exact cause of Multiple Sclerosis it will be easier to find a way to treat the disease or maybe even stop it from happening at all. (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)

To scientists, this suggests that exposure to some environmental agent before puberty may cause a predisposition for MS later on in life. There is also evidence that suggests that vitamin D may play a role. This could explain the previous statement that MS occurs more frequently farther from the equator, since that area frequently receives more sunlight which aids in the synthesis of Vitamin D. This possibility is now being studied by a society-funded epidemiological study in Australia [2]. There is also the possibility that a virus earlier on in life may cause, or trigger, MS. Viruses are known to cause inflammation and a breakdown of myelin, so it is possible that a virus that breakdowns myelin may trigger MS. Viruses currently being researched are measles, Human Herpes Virus-6, and Epstein-Barr [3]. Genetically, several different genes are believed to have a role in MS. According the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, if one parent has Multiple Sclerosis, the risk of their child or children getting the same disease is approximately two to five percent [3].

There is no cure for Multiple Sclerosis (Mayo Clinic, 2017). Most treatment is focused on improving quality of life by treating symptoms and slowing its progression. There are a few drugs to help slow progression, most of which are for relapsing-remitting MS (Mayo Clinic, 2017). In March of this year, the FDA approved the first drug for primary-progressive MS (FDA, 2017), called ocrelizumab, which slows the advancement of disability (Mayo Clinic, 2017). Ocrelizumab may cause infusion related reactions, such as hives, shortness of breath, fever, etc, and may lead to an upper respiratory tract infection (FDA, 2017). Acute relapses are treated with corticosteroids to reduce nerve inflammation, a traditional and approved method of treatment. (NIH, 2013). To treat symptoms, those with MS may go to physical therapy to help strengthen muscles and manage gait problems (Mayo Clinic, 2017). They may also use muscle relaxers to treat extremely painful

Individuals suffering from MS face continually worsening symptoms leading to progressing disability and early mortality. There is currently no cure and current treatments have negative impacts on the life of the individual receiving the treatment. The story of the discovery and understanding of the disease spans to almost two centuries of medical research and still there is much to understand. Autoimmune disorders are becoming more common in our society and it is crucial to understand the cause of these diseases and to develop better treatments. In the two centuries of research, the life expectancy of an individual with MS has increased dramatically. Upon diagnosis in the late 1800's and early 1900's individuals had an average life span of 10 years but today, due to advances in medical technologies, individuals with MS may live 30 years or more. More research is required to understand how to better treat this disease or prevent the initial autoimmune response from

Central Idea: Massage therapy is practiced all over the world and has both emotional and physical benefits when received on a regular basis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic degenerative neurological disease with a prevelance about 74 in 100 000 people in Belgium (Rosati), MS can cause many symptoms but also difficulties in vision, mood, cognition, speech, upper and lower limb function, bladder and bowel function, sexual function and fatigue but depression can also be present.( burke) Research has shown that people with MS are less active than healthy persons (Sanderhoff). As a result, they will have no effect of physical activity and this will worsen the general health. The body experience will reduce and the loose their identity because the disease will take the lead in their life. Research has shown that when patients with MS exercise on regular basis, they experience fewer

Massage therapy can help with alleviating muscle tension, diminishing stress, and bringing to mind feelings of calmness, along with helping chronic fatigue syndrome, easing chronic constipation, and enhancing self image. It also manipulates the activity of the musculoskeletal, circulatory, lymphatic, and nervous systems in the body. Clinical studies have revealed that massage relieves chronic back pain more effectively than other treatments and most times it is more cost effective than other treatments ("University of Maryland Medical Center").

A diet mimicking fasting alleviates MS symptoms – the ‘fast’ way to reduce the effects of autoimmunity.

The researchers inferred that the evidence discovered optimistic advantages of massage physiotherapy to bestow alleviation of bone pain in cancer patients; however, additional research analysis is essential to ascertain long-lasting impacts (Running & Turnbeaugh, 2011). A nonrandomized single-group pre and posttest design of a randomized two-period crossover of approximately 230 contributors and a substantial result over a three-year interval were appraised in the therapy of visceral pain (Running & Turnbeaugh, 2011). The researchers determined that the evidence champions the utilization of massage remedy in the therapy of visceral pain of cancer patient whilst the evidence is dated (Running & Turnbeaugh,