Around 1 million people in the United States are living with multiple sclerosis, and while the disease is rarely fatal and has only been shown to reduce life expectancy by a matter of months, it can be a truly debilitating condition.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system disorder where the immune system attacks the body.
Carthage Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has more information to understand multiple sclerosis and the treatments available for it.
Problems Caused by Multiple Sclerosis
MS damages myelin, which is a substance that protects nerve fibers. That leads to communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body, so common MS symptoms include numbness and tingling throughout the body, blurred or double vision, general weakness, balance and coordination issues, and loss of bladder control. MS can also affect your memory and your mood and in rare cases, cause paralysis.
Some people are affected just occasionally by MS through flare-ups that come and go. For others, it’s a condition that gets progressively worse over time.
Treatments for MS
There is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis, so treatments are centered on two things, depending on how MS is attacking the person’s body. If they suffer occasional flare-ups, treatment will be to give the patient a quick recovery. For those who have a case that gets progressively worse over time, the treatment will focus on slowing that progression and managing symptoms in the process.
There are FDA-approved medication for both methods along with other treatment options. One is through corticosteroids like prednisone. These are used to reduce nerve inflammation but can have difficult side effects if used for a long period of time.
Plasma exchange can also be used in more severe cases or ones where steroids aren’t helping. In this process, the plasma (liquid part of your blood) is removed, the red blood cells are mixed with a protein solution and put back into the body.
To learn more about Carthage Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://oneida-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org.
