Multiple sclerosis is a condition in which the body gradually destroys the outer coating, known as the myelin sheath, which protects the nerve cells throughout the body. As the nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord lose protection, they may begin to malfunction and cause tremors, difficulty moving limbs, and vision loss. The condition is thought to be caused by a defect in the body’s immune system which causes the body to attack itself. Although there is no cure, there are multiple sclerosis treatments which may reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for a person suffering with the condition.
One of the most common multiple sclerosis treatments is medication. Interferons are proteins naturally occurring within the body’s immune system that are thought to suppress viruses. Using interferon medications on multiple sclerosis patients may help slow the destruction of the myelin sheath. Another possible treatment is medications containing corticosteroids, drugs that mimic cortisol, a natural hormone that reduces inflammation in the body. Corticosteroids may help treat inflammation in the damaged nerve cell areas and reduce pain and other symptoms.
Other medications may be used to lessen the effect of multiple sclerosis; however, they can have serious side effects and are generally only recommended in certain cases, under close doctor supervision. The drug mitoxantrone is an immunosuppressant drug that actually reduces the body’s entire immune system functioning. It can prevent further destruction of the myelin sheath, but the medication may cause heart damage. The medication, glatiramer, also acts as an immunosuppressant and may be used to reduce symptoms of multiple sclerosis, but may cause difficulty breathing as a side effect.
Another one of the possible multiple sclerosis treatments is plasmapheresis. Plasmapheresis is a procedure in which a cell separator is used to take plasma out of the blood and replace it with donor plasma, saline, or another fluid substitute. Plasma is the liquid part of the blood that holds the blood’s cells, as well as antibodies, proteins that help the body fight infection and disease. People with multiple sclerosis typically have blood containing autoantibodies, which are versions of antibodies that treat the body as if it were a virus or disease and attack and destroy healthy cells. By removing the plasma from the blood, the autoantibodies are also removed from the body to prevent further destruction of the myelin sheath.
To improve multiple sclerosis patients’ functioning in everyday life, some doctors will recommend physical therapy as another treatment option in combination with other multiple sclerosis treatments. During physical therapy, a therapist can help a patient build strength in their limbs and muscles to keep them functioning to their maximum potentials. Therapists can also give patients advice on how to handle everyday tasks with their limited physical abilities if symptoms worsen.
