Unfortunately, there is no test that distinctively diagnoses Multiple Sclerosis. When you present symptoms that point to MS, your doctor will run tests to rule out everything until MS is the only option left on the table. Although there is no cure for MS, several treatments are available. Here are some of the choices that help manage your symptoms.
1. Treatment For Multiple Sclerosis Attacks
Corticosteroids, like Prednisone and Methylprednisolone, are prescribed to reduce inflammation. Side effects of these medications may cause increased blood pressure and glucose levels, insomnia and mood swings.
Plasma exchange is when the plasma gets separated from blood cells. Then, these cells get mixed with Albumin and put back into your body. This treatment is used when inflammation does not respond to the steroids or if you have new, severe symptoms.
This is one of the few Multiple Sclerosis treatment that is available to you.
2. Treatment To Slow Down the Progression
For primary-progressive MS, there are only a few FDA-approved treatments. If you receive these treatments, you are less likely to progress than those who go without treatment. However, for relapsing-remitting MS, there are a variety of treatments available.
During the beginning stages of MS, the majority of your immune response is noticeable. Starting an aggressive treatment quickly will slow the relapse rate, stop new lesions from forming and reduce the risk of brain atrophy. Sadly, many medicines used to treat MS come with significant health risks. These medications are taken orally and by injection.
Interferon-beta medications are injectables that are generally prescribed to treat MS. They can be injected under your skin or into the muscle. They can also reduce the severity and frequency of relapses.
Glatiramer Acetate is a medication that blocks the immune system’s attack of Myelin and needs to be injected underneath the skin, with minor irritation at the injection site.
Oral treatments to reduce your chance of relapsing for MS are:
- Fingolimod is taken once daily, but you have to have your heart monitored for at least six hours after taking it because it causes you a slowed heartbeat.
- Dimethyl Fumarate is taken twice daily and requires regular blood monitoring.
- Diroximel Fumarate is taken twice daily and is similar to Dimethyl but with fewer side effects.
- Teriflunomide is taken once daily and is known to cause birth defects when taken by men and women.
- Sipnomid is taken once daily and there is a need for some patients to have blood and heart test done for six hours after their first dose.
All of these medications are used to treat relapsing MS, but they all have different doses and side effects that need to be considered before taking.
3. Treatment For the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
Physical therapy is an ideal way to strengthen your muscles with stretching exercises. These stretches make it easier for you to perform all your daily tasks. Physical therapy, along with a mobility aid, helps manage gait caused by MS.
Muscle relaxants are used to help control pain from stiff muscles and spasms in your legs. They relax your muscles to give relief from these symptoms.
Medications to reduce fatigue brought on by MS are some that are typically used to treat depression. They are often recommended for their serotonin-boosting qualities.
Medications used to increase walking speeds should be used with caution if you have a history of seizures or suffer from kidney failure.
Other medications can be prescribed to treat depression, pain, insomnia and other problems associated with MS.
4. Home Remedies To Treat MS
There are several options to choose from when looking into treating your MS systems at home. To help relieve some of your symptoms, try these options:
- Get plenty of rest is one way to help manage the symptoms of MS. Resting allows your body to recuperate and recharge from all the day’s activities.
- Exercise is another way to keep your muscles strong to help combat MS’s effects on your strengths.
- Make sure to stay calm. When their body temperature rises, it causes a flare-up in some people.
- Relieve your stress since this is a common trigger for MS.
These are great ways to manage your symptoms by dealing with medication side effects.
Multiple Sclerosis is a complex disease to live with, but there are more than enough preventative measures you can put in place to slow its effects. Take care of your health and take care of your symptoms as they come. If you find your current treatment is not working, talk to your doctor about changing your treatment plan.
