Multiple Sclerosis treatment
Multiple sclerosis treatment
"The treatment of MS is much more than medication," says Dr. O'Connor, who feels that lifestyle changes in patients diagnosed with MS are equally important.
Prescribed injections of drugs (some administered daily, or several times per week or, in the case of a drug called Tysabri, once per month) can help slow the progression of the disease; and individual medication is available to combat specific symptoms like muscle spasms, pain or depression. But Dr. O'Connor stresses the importance of getting enough rest. "When you're tired or upset and you have MS, your symptoms are amplified," he says.
Dr. O'Connor also suggests that people who have MS:
- try to avoid getting viral infections (e.g., a cold or flu) because they can trigger an attack
- exercise moderately to maintain physical fitness
- increase vitamin D intake
He notes that adopting a diet that's low in saturated fat might also be beneficial, though there have been no conclusive studies to prove it affects MS.
What's the prognosis for someone diagnosed with MS?
As with any disease, MS affects everyone in different ways and some people with MS do well while others might not. "Some people with MS never have a symptom in their life, other people have a devastating illness," he says. But research continues in a bid to find a cure and develop new treatments.
For more information on MS, Dr. O'Connor recommends visiting the following websites:
- The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
- Canadian Network of Multiple Sclerosis Clinics
- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society
- The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation
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