Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, degenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that is caused by an immune-mediated inflammatory process.
This process results in the demyelination of the white matter in the brain and spinal cord. MS has a higher prevalence in women and people in temperature regions such as Europe and North America.
Contents
- 1 How To Manage Multiple Sclerosis Muscle Weakness?
- 2 Types of multiple sclerosis
- 3 Symptoms of multiple sclerosis
- 4 Muscle weakness in MS and how it affect people with MS
- 5 Treatment for muscle weakness
- 6 How to live with and manage multiple sclerosis
- 7 Most importantly
How To Manage Multiple Sclerosis Muscle Weakness?
MS is a complicated and often misunderstood condition. If you or your loved one is dealing with MS then you probably have a lot of questions about how this disease may impact your life? How to manage MS? And so on; we are here to answer your questions and help you lead a healthy and active life.
Types of multiple sclerosis
There are mainly five types of MS, the most common form of MS is called rasping-remitting. Here the symptoms periodically come and go but MS is a progressive disease and the severity of the symptoms often increases over time. Eventually, it can affect a person’s ability to work, study or be active as they would like.
- Clinically isolated syndrome
- Relapsing-remitting
- Primary-progressive
- Secondary-progressive
- progressive -relapsing
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis
There is a vast number of symptoms associated with MS. Each person’s experience is unique.
- Muscle weakness in the arms and legs
- Blurred or double vision
- Red-green color distortion
- Trouble walking
- Numbness, pricking, or pins and needles
- Speech problems
- Tremor
- Bowel and bladder problems
Muscle weakness in MS and how it affect people with MS
People with multiple sclerosis experience loss of strength in certain muscle groups. The group of muscles affected includes:
- Hip flexors ( the muscles which lift your leg off the ground)
- Hip adductors ( the muscles that slide your leg together)
- Ankle dorsiflexion ( the muscle that brings the foot up)
Muscle weakness is the primary cause of MS it is due to the deconditioning of muscle which leads to mobility. Weakness contributes not only to mobility complications but also safety hazards.
This can result in pain syndrome and create the risk of falling. Muscle weakness requires special care and management. Weak muscles can have a huge impact on quality of life, as they affect day-to-day living and interfere with activities such as working, driving, or taking pets for walks.
Treatment for muscle weakness
Doctors have access to more tools than ever to treat MS. When MS flares up your doctor may prescribe medications to treat specific symptoms such as pain or weakness. Your treatment may also include medications that target the underlying causes of MS.
This helps prevent the disease from damaging nerves and can help you remain symptom-free for extended periods of time. There are 3 types of therapy to treat MS:
- Interventions to treat symptoms
- Drugs to treat the attack
- Drugs to modify the course of the disease
Drugs used to treat MS are believed to help shorten the length and severity of the disease and the most commonly used drugs are:
- Corticosteroids
- Adrenocorticotropic hormones (ACTH)
Corticosteroids are not considered long-term solutions because they have no proven long-term efficiency and because of the multiple side effects that can develop the disease.
Interventions can be non-drug-based such as physical therapy.
How to live with and manage multiple sclerosis
Living with MS can be made more manageable and you can reduce the reduce symptoms by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and following these effective tips:
- Regular exercise such as indoor or outdoor, cycling, yoga, and strength training has been shown to help ease MS symptoms.
- Watching your diet and maintaining optimal body weight promotes mobility and ease the strain on your muscles and joints
- Go for physiotherapy as it is very helpful in slurred speech, balancing, and fatigue problems
- Quit smoking
- Exercise everyday
- Avoid hot and humid situations
- Connect with groups for MS patients in person and online for emotional support as well as helpful information
- To help yourself with the best care tell your neurologist everything about your symptoms and detailed medical history
- Keep a note about your condition and keep it handy while appointments for easier and effective treatment
Most importantly
- Stick with your treatment
- Don’t let MS define you
Working with your doctor and staying active are key to maintaining the best quality of life.
With good care and a positive attitude, your life shall stay as normal as everybody else’s
