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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) was first identified in the 1860's by a French neurologist named Jean Martin Charcot, but for virtually a century following his discovery there was little research into this disabling condition. MS is now considered to be the most common disease of the central nervous system, affecting somewhere in the region of 85, 000 people in the UK.
MS
is caused by damage to the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).
The central nervous system is the body's nerve control centre.
It
consists of the brain, the spinal cord running down the length of the
backbone, and the optic nerves.
Messages
are passed along the central nervous system to muscles and sensory organs
throughout the body which affect movement, thought processes, vision and
various bodily functions.
Information
is also sent back to the central nervous system from the muscles and sensory
organs. Therefore, each time you pick up a
cup, play a musical instrument or drive a car, you are dependent on the
smooth functioning of the central nervous system to be able to carry out such
complex and skilled operations.
The messages transmitted via the central nervous system from the brain to the body, or from the body to the brain, affect various nerves. These are sensory nerves (to do with feeling); motor nerves (to do with movement); and optic nerves (to do with seeing). These messages are transmitted at very high speeds and so normally you experience the transmission of the messages instantaneously. However, in MS, the myelin sheath (the coating around a nerve, similar to the insulation sheath around an electric wire) is thinned or lost completely (demyelination). This causes a delay or a complete block in the passage of nerve messages. The body's own defence mechanisms then attempt to repair the damage, which leaves a scar of hard tissue (sclerosis). This scar (also referred to as plaque or lesion) can further block or delay nerve signals. Demyelination and scar formation happen randomly, in different places and at different times (multiple), but their cause is not known. The symptoms and severity of MS depend on where exactly the demyelination and scars occur. Lesions are most common in the optic nerve giving rise to pain and blurred vision; in the brainstem or cerebellum, causing vertigo and double vision; and in the spinal cord, causing limb weakness and impaired urinary control. However, although specific lesions (plaques or scars) can be identified, the course of the disease remains very unpredictable. Symptoms vary enormously, not only from one person to another but also in the same person from one time of day to another. MS symptoms can last simply for minutes or days, or linger for weeks, months and even years.
Approximately
85, 000 people in the UK and 2.5 million people world-wide have multiple
sclerosis and it is thought that between 3500 and 4000 people in Northern Ireland
have been diagnosed with this condition. The highest known
prevalence has been recorded in Scotland, notably Shetland and Orkney. Temperature latitudes of between 40 and 60 degrees are high
risk zones for the disease.
In
the northern hemisphere this includes the British Isles, northern and central
Europe, Iceland, Canada and the northern states of the USA.
In the southern hemisphere, New Zealand, Tasmania and the southern
tracts of Australia are included.
MS
is definitely more common in white races than in other racial groups.
It is unknown among pure bred Bantus and Eskimos and among native
American Indians.
MS is also
uncommon among the Chinese and Japanese.
MS is most commonly diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 40. More women develop MS than men, in a ratio of approximately 2:1, and they tend to develop the condition at an earlier age. In rare cases some children may develop the disease.
MS is NOT infectious or contagious. You cannot catch it from someone else. Nor is it inherited in the usual sense of the word, however there is evidence to suggest a genetic component to MS that increases susceptibility to developing the condition.
Unlike many other diseases, there is no straightforward ‘positive or negative’ test for MS and no one test is 100 percent conclusive on its own. This means that a doctor will diagnose MS using a combination of tests. This is called making a ‘clinical diagnosis’.
Your GP will ask about your symptoms and medical history and will perform a neurological examination, testing your vision, coordination and reflexes. Many of the symptoms of MS are also found in other conditions so these may need to be excluded first. If you have symptoms which get better or go away, your GP is likely to wait and see if you have another relapse before referring you to a neurologist (a doctor specialising in conditions that affect the nervous system). Waiting may cause you some anxiety but this way a more definitive diagnosis can be made - a single episode may not be enough to make a firm diagnosis.
Your GP or neurologist may recommend that you have some, or all, of the following tests:-
Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)- this involves taking a sample of cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal cord. This sample is
MRI Scan- these take detailed pictures of the brain and spinal cord that can detect areas of scarring. This is considered the best test for diagnosing MS, as abnormal lesions appear on MRIs in over 95% of people with MS. However, 5% of people with MS do not have abnormalities that can be detected on an MRI and some age-related damage can appear like MS lesions.
Evoked Potential Tests- these are relatively simple,
non-invasive tests that are carried out on vision, hearing and sensation. Brainwaves
are recorded in response to various stimuli. The doctor is looking for both the size of the response
and the speed in which the brain receives the signal. Weaker or slow signals
may indicate that demyelination has occurred and that MS is a possibility.
However, this test is not specific to MS and abnormalities could indicate
other problems.
The symptoms of MS depend largely on
where the lesions are situated in the brain and spinal cord and which nerves are affected. Different nerves control different parts of the body and different body functions. Not everyone with MS will have lesions located in exactly the same places, therefore, not everybody with MS will have exactly the same symptoms.
Some of the symptoms that people with MS can experience include
fatigue; muscle weakness; difficulties with balance, walking and coordination; unusual sensations such as numbness, burning, tingling, pain or pins and needles; muscle spasms and tremors; bladder and bowel problems; visual abnormalities; speech problems; altered mood; and difficulties with memory and concentration.People with MS may have any combination of these symptoms and each to a varying extent or intensity. MS symptoms can last for minutes or days, or linger for weeks, months and even years. Symptoms can become more pronounced when the MS is active or in relapse, and may lessen or disappear again when the MS is in remission.
In some people, MS symptoms can intensify when the person is tired, upset or anxious. This does not necessarily mean that the MS is getting worse; only that the person with MS can have good days and bad days, just like everyone else. Most people with MS experience the condition in a mild form with minimal neurological symptoms and suffer limited and usually transitory or temporary disability. Many medical authorities suggest that people with MS have a "normal" life expectancy. Only around 20% of people with MS may eventually be dependent on a wheelchair. People with MS can have good quality and experience of life, including love, marriage, children, work and happiness.
There are several different types of MS which are classified according to the severity and frequency of symptoms:-
Relapsing/Remitting- In about 2/3 of people with MS,
the condition takes the form of a series of
relapses (exacerbations or attacks), interspersed with periods of remission
(recovery). A relapse may last for only one day or may persist for weeks or
several months. During this time new symptoms may appear or existing
symptoms become more severe. On average, a relapse occurs
approximately once or twice
every 2 years. Whilst
in a period of remission, symptoms that may have been disabling during relapse
can virtually disappear. Remission can last for months or even decades. In
some cases after relapse, a complete recovery is made
but in most cases there is some residual damage.
Secondary Progressive- Many people who are
initially diagnosed with relapsing/remitting MS find that over time the
frequency of relapses decreases but disability increases. This is known as
secondary progressive MS. As with relapsing/remitting MS, people's
experience of secondary progressive MS can vary widely. Some people find
that the increase or progression of disability is very gradual, whilst for
others it can occur more quickly. It is estimated that around 75% of people whose
disease pattern begins with relapsing and remitting symptoms later develop the
secondary progressive form.
Primary
Progressive- About 10% of people with MS are diagnosed with a form in
which disability increases from the outset. This is known as primary
progressive MS (or less commonly, chronic progressive MS). Again, experience of primary progressive MS
varies from person to person. Some people can have a
persistent increase in disability whilst others may experience plateaux or a
more gentle worsening of symptoms.
Benign- Approximately 10% of people experience only a few relapses with little or no residual disability. If this pattern continues over a period of 15 years they are thought to have the benign form of the disease.
No cure for MS has been found as yet. The emphasis is therefore on managing the disease, controlling the symptoms and preventing them from worsening.
Treatments are currently available to help slow down the progression of the disease, reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, treat exacerbations (also called attacks, relapses or flare-ups), relieve symptoms and improve body function. These treatment strategies include drug therapies; physiotherapy, flowtron therapy and rehabilitation; hyperbaric oxygen; electromagnetic stimulation; vibrotherapy; complementary therapies; and cognitive remediation.
Many new possible therapies are also under investigation.
For example, stem cells are showing more and more potential in the treatment of MS and clinical trials are currently being carried out to study their effectiveness in repairing or replacing myelin in larger numbers of people with the disease. It is thought that stem-cell transplants may one day control and even reverse multiple sclerosis if carried out early enough.
Steroids
These
are the most common and widely used drugs in the treatment of combined
MS symptoms. Most people
with MS will have steroids, (often methylprednisolone), prescribed for them at some stage during their
illness. They can be helpful during
a relapse, speeding up recovery and inducing remission but they may not be
appropriate for everyone. It is not clear exactly how steroids work but they are known to possess
anti-inflammatory properties which can suppress the immune system and reduce the
accumulation of fluid around the sites of nerve damage.
They can be given in many forms including tablets, injection into the
muscle and injection into the vein. However,
it has been reported that
steroids given regularly will make no difference to the long term progression of
MS. A very small number of
people respond to long term steroids but for the vast majority this approach should be avoided. Steroids
have a number of undesirable side effects in the long term.
These may slow down the progression of MS and help to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. There are currently six disease modifying drugs approved for use in relapsing-remitting forms of MS and secondary progressive disease, where patients are still experiencing relapses. Unfortunately, none of these currently available disease-modifying drugs are approved for treating primary progressive MS. Disease-modifying medications:
Reduce the
frequency and severity of relapses (also called attacks or exacerbations).
Reduce the
accumulation of lesions (damaged or active disease areas) within the brain and
spinal cord as seen on MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging).
Appear to
slow down the accumulation of disability. Most of these drugs are taken on a
long-term basis, and they are the best defence currently available to slow down
the natural course of MS.
Rebif®, Copaxone®, Betaseron®, and Avonex® are self-injectable drugs for long-term use. They modulate the immune system, meaning they adjust or modify how the immune system functions. Tysabri®, which is also an immune-modulating drug, is delivered by intravenous infusion (into the vein) at a medical facility. Novantrone® is a powerful immune system suppressor, also delivered by intravenous infusion in a medical setting.
You should talk to your neurologist about disease modifying drugs and discuss any questions or concerns that you may have about their use.
Medications to control and manage symptoms
There are numerous drugs available on the market to help control individual symptoms of MS, such as pain, incontinence, constipation, spasms and fatigue.
anticholinergics such as trospium and flavoxate for urgency and incontinence, or desmopressin for nocturia.
Bowel:
people with MS may suffer constipation as a direct result of neurological
impairment or indirectly as a result of immobility or side effects of
medications. Pain or problems with constipation can be helped with oral
laxatives
or
suppositories
and
enemas.
Fatigue:
fatigue
is very common and disabling in MS. A few medications have been studied to treat
MS-related fatigue, such as
amantadine
or
pemoline
(which is a
psychostimulant
also used for
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
and
narcolepsy),
but the effects of these are small. Fatigue is therefore a very difficult
symptom to manage and drugs are not usually the treatment of choice.
Pain: pain is mainly due to optic neuritis (with corticosteroids being the best treatment available), as well as trigeminal neuralgia, Lhermitte's sign, or dysesthesias.
Spasms:
there is evidence, albeit limited, of the clinical effectiveness of
baclofen,
dantrolene,
diazepam,
and
tizanidine
in relaxing and loosening muscles.
In the most complicated cases
intrathecal
injections of baclofen can be used.
Depression: this is common in the course of MS and can be treated with a variety of antidepressants. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most frequently used.
Cannabis
Some people with MS say that smoking cannabis (also called marijuana) helps with muscle stiffness, spasms, pain and sleep problems. Some research has suggested that cannabis could have benefits for people with MS but further research is required to ensure its safety. Unfortunately, cannabis is known to have a number of side effects including increased drowsiness, unsteadiness, problems with concentration and sleep and occasionally more serious complications such as confusion and hallucinations. Therefore, it is still illegal to possess most kinds of cannabis in the UK and there is no official exception to the law even for people who use cannabis for medical purposes. A cannabis spray is available in Canada under the brand name Sativex. It aims to help with muscle spasms without the 'high' of smoking cannabis but it may not help everyone and the benefits may be small. This spray isn't currently available as a standard treatment for MS in the UK, but doctors can prescribe it for individual patients, based on their own clinical judgement. Talk to your doctor if you are interested in this treatment.
Low Dose Naltrexone
Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is a treatment method for MS that has been in use in the USA since 1985 but is relatively new in the United Kingdom. Despite its claimed successful use in America, until fully proved here, it must be considered as experimental. Naltrexone is a drug called an opiate antagonist. It is used to treat opiate drug addiction, by blocking the response to opiate drugs, such as heroin or morphine. The idea of using LDN for MS was devised by Dr. Bernard Bihari, a practising neuro-physician in New York, USA. In MS, LDN works by briefly obstructing the effects of brain endorphins (the brain's natural painkillers). This has an effect of stimulating the increased production of these same endorphins, which in turn stimulate the immune system, thus reducing the activity of the MS. Naltrexone is thought to help neuromuscular spasm and fatigue. Also patients who are in the middle of an acute relapse when they start LDN have generally shown rapid resolution of the attack. For further information on Low Dose Naltrexone you should speak to your GP or neurologist.
New therapies under investigation
Scientists continue their extensive efforts to create new and better therapies for MS. There are a number of treatments currently under investigation that may curtail attacks or improve function. Some of these treatments involve the combination of drugs that are already in use for multiple sclerosis, such as the joint administration of mitoxantrone
and glatiramer acetate (Copaxone). However most treatments in clinical trials involve drugs that are used in other diseases. These are the cases of alemtuzumab (Campath), daclizumab (Zenapax), inosine, or BG00012. Other drugs in clinical trials have been designed specifically for MS, such as fingolimod, laquinimod, or Neurovax. Finally, there are also many early-stage investigations that in the future may emerge as new treatments. Examples of these are the studies trying to understand the influence of Chlamydophila pneumoniae or vitamin D in the origin of the disease or preliminary investigations on the use of helminthic therapy.
A great deal has
also been learnt about the immune system during recent years.
Scientists are now beginning to manipulate the immune system and by so
doing may be able to reduce or even reverse the damage inflicted on nerve
cells. Many of these drugs are at
very early stages of development and their exact effects and, more
particularly, their side effects are yet to be determined.
However, the next few years are an exciting time and offer real
possibilities for slowing down disease progression.
RAMS Therapy Centre and Multiple Sclerosis
RAMS Therapy Centre provides a range of therapies, designed specifically for Multiple Sclerosis. Follow the links below for further information on these treatments. Therapies will be provided individually as stand-alone treatments or offered in combination. Each person will be assessed and advised on a suitable treatment programme.
Note: permission from your doctor or consultant is required before treatment begins.
Diet and Nutrition
There
is a great deal of scientific evidence suggesting that diet has a significant
role in MS. Studies looking at the areas of the world where MS occurs
most found that it was closely linked to the consumption of saturated fat.
It is interesting to note that fat consumption in the Scottish diet is
one of the highest in the world and that Scotland has the highest incidence of
MS.
Biochemical research shows
that levels of saturated fats are higher and levels of polyunsaturated or
essential fats are lower than average in some people with MS.
In particular, it has been discovered that people with MS have lower
levels of linoleic acid in their red blood cells and nervous tissues than is
considered normal.
These
polyunsaturated and linoleic acids are extremely important for the
construction of membranes and immune system function.
They are found in sunflower and other seed products, as well as oily
fish.
Studies have showed that
supplementing the diet with a linoleic acid-rich product has a beneficial
effect on relapses in
There
is no doubt that poor nutrition can cause illnesses such as rickets,
anaemia and scurvy amongst others, and that when a person has an illness such as
a heart disorder, colitis or MS, for example, poor nutrition can make the
illness even worse. It stands to
reason that if a healthy person needs a good diet to maintain health, a sick
person needs a good diet to improve health and heal or control the illness that
already exists. A healthy diet is
of benefit to everyone. In MS in
particular, it can help fight fatigue and infection and help to heal scarred
tissue.
Very
often MS patients experience constipation due to a change in their lifestyle,
such as drastic reduction in physical activity, due mainly to the fatigue and
limb disability that accompany MS. Constipation
may also be the result of certain medications.
It can, however, be greatly alleviated by diet.
By increasing the amount of bran in the diet, this removes the need for
laxatives which can deplete the body of much needed vitamins and minerals and
cause dehydration which can in turn aggravate a number of other symptoms.
Some MS patients have found that certain other symptoms can be controlled by eliminating various foods from their diets. Shortness of breath, breathing difficulties and catarrh sometimes respond to the removal of milk from the diet. Difficulty in adjusting to temperature changes, and the frequent running of above-normal body temperatures, can sometimes be alleviated by cutting out cane and beet sugar
Fatigue that so often comes with MS can often be tackled by
eating little and often, for example five small meals a day instead of three
large ones.
Worsening of symptoms
and muscle weakness can be helped by the avoidance of alcohol.
It
has been noted that a wide range of illnesses may have a gluten sensitivity as
part of the condition, including ME, MS, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis and
autism. What is not clear is
whether sensitivity to gluten is a contributing factor in the onset of these
diseases, or whether it develops later, as the body loses more of its ability to
respond to stress. Either way, many
people are finding that giving up gluten improves their health.
In general, consuming a diet that is high in nutrients and essential fatty acids, low in saturated fats and avoiding foods that are highly processed is advocated for people with MS.
You will find dietary advice available from a wide variety of sources, however you should always seek dietary advice from a trained nutritionist or health practitioner who can assess your individual status and requirements.
A Healthy Diet for MS- some general rules
1. Use polyunsaturated spreads and oils.
2. Eat at least 3 helpings of fish each week.
3. Eat
4. Eat a large helping of dark green vegaetables daily.
5. Eat some raw vegetables daily, as part of a salad, with a french dressing.
6. Eat some linseeds daily.
7. Eat some fresh fruit daily.
8. Try to eat as much fresh food as possible.
9. Choose lean cuts of meat and trim all fat.
10. Avoid hard animal fats like butter, lard, cream and hard cheeses etc.
11. Try to eat wholegrain cereals and wholegrain bread.
12. Try to cut down on sugar and foods containing sugar.
Dietary Supplements- the importance of vitamins, minerals and oils
Dietary supplements can help you to:-
absorb nutrients from food
heal a leaky gut
strengthen the immune system
reduce inflammation
strengthen the blood brain barrier
improve nerve signals
reduce fatigue and give you more energy
A trained nutritionist or health practitioner will be able to assess your nutritional needs and advise you about supplements that may be helpful and how to take these safely.
You should always consult a medical practitioner or pharmacist about taking supplements, particularly if you are taking prescription medications, are pregnant, have underlying medical conditions or if you are taking part in any clinical trials or research studies.
In general, supplements that can benefit people with MS fall under the categories of oils, vitamins, minerals and trace elements, antioxidants, amino acids, probiotics, neurotransmitters and energy releasers.
Oils
OIL
OF EVENING PRIMROSE, either with or without fish oil, is perhaps the most common
and essential dietary supplement for those with MS.
Evening primrose is a little plant with bright yellow flowers.
The North American Indians first used this plant for medicinal purposes.
They found the extract of this plant has great healing powers for skin
conditions and is beneficial to the healing of infections.
Recently, it has been noted that people using an extract from this plant
heal more quickly after an operation than people who do not use it.
The use of evening primrose oil has been noted for its benefits in MS,
arthritis, skin and menopausal problems.
People with MS have a low concentration of essential fatty
acids, plasma, red blood cells and platelets in the nervous system. This can be rectified or reversed with evening primrose oil.
Evening primrose contains a high content of gammalinolenic acid or GLA.
This is converted into Prostaglandin 1 . Prostaglandin 1 ensures that
there are enough T-lymphocytes to fight infection, helps regulate blood pressure
and cholesterol and the size and mobility of red blood cells.
It helps prevent thrombosis and inflammation.
FISH OILS high in Omega 3 essential fatty acids are necessary for normal function of the nervous system and production of myelin (the protective coating found around nerves). The occurrence of MS is lowest in countries where fish is eaten regularly. Oil of Evening Primrose containing fish oil is therefore highly recommended.
Along with natural bioflavonoids, fish oils can also help prevent inadequate or insufficient blood circulation.FLAX SEED OIL contains a good balance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 oils which are important components of the nervous system and necessary for the production of myelin. It is a good alternative to fish oils for people who are vegetarian.
Vitamins
Vitamin A
increases the number of circulating lymphocytes (white blood cells) which help protect cells from damage and infection.B VITAMINS are important for energy, healthy skin, nerve function and tissue repair and maintenance. The most important B vitamins for MS are B12, B6, B1, B2, B3, B5 and Folic Acid. B12 is needed for a healthy myelin sheath, nervous system and bone marrow. VITAMIN B12 can also help reduce fatigue and increase energy by converting carbohydrates into glucose which the body then bums to produce energy. Lack of B12 can impair the immune system. People with MS can be deficient in B12 due to malabsorption in the gut or due to a disorder in binding and/or transporting the vitamin.
VITAMIN C is needed for a healthy immune system, repair of tissue and production of collagen.
VITAMIN D deficiency
VITAMIN E enhances immune response, slows down the degenerative process and regulates platelet aggregation.
Minerals & Trace Elements
ZINC is one of the most important minerals for someone with MS. This
mineral has a significant effect on the body's immune response and has the exceptional property of boosting the person's morale when depression occurs. Diets high in refined foods and junk foods are low in zinc. Certain foods, such as cows milk, cheese, coffee and bran can inhibit absorption. Also viral infections like glandular fever can cause a loss of zinc.MAGNESIUM is essential for almost all metabolic function. It helps to produce cellular energy, needed for nerve impulse transmission. It also helps metabolise the B vitamins and essential fatty acids. A magnesium deficiency is a common finding in MS. Spasticity can often be traced to low levels of magnesium. This deficiency may be caused by a diet high in refined and processed foods and saturated fat, by bran added to the diet or diuretics. Magnesium is known to have a calming effect on tense muscles and plays a vital role therefore in controlling spasms and tremors. Research has highlighted that diets low in magnesium can also lead to fatigue and lethargy.
COPPER assists in the formation of haemoglobin and red blood cells by helping with iron absorption. It is used with zinc, iron and B vitamins in the synthesis of phospholipids (long chain fatty acids) which are important in myelin formation.
SELENIUM is needed to make the important enzyme Glutathione Peroxidase, which helps fight against free radicals and damage from lipid peroxidation. The prevalence of MS is inversely related to selenium levels in the soil. MS is high in a district of Finland called Ostrobothia where the selenium levels are low. The prevalence of MS is low in nearby Lapland, where the selenium levels are high.
SULPHUR is essential to life. It helps repair the damaged tissue membranes, is anti-inflammatory, helps reduce pain, is anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic and reduces scar tissue. Sulphur regulates the sodium potassium pump in the cells. This process removes toxins from cells, reduces inflammation, and promotes healing. It helps strengthen gut lining, helps in myelin repair and relieves muscle cramps and constipation.
Antioxidants
GRAPE SEED EXTRACT contains proanthrocyanidins (OPCs or PCOs) which are up to 50 times more powerful than Vitamin E. They help to deal with free radicals and strengthen the blood brain barrier. Bilberry extract is also very effective (possibly the most effective in strengthening the blood brain barrier).
GINKA BILOBA helps maintain healthy peripheral circulation, including blood to the brain. It helps memory and cognitive functions, keeps blood vessels dilated, so allowing blood to flow more freely to the extremities, including the brain. It also works as an antioxidant and has positive effects on platelet function.
GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE is an antioxidant enzyme which helps protect all cells from free radical damage. It seems that people with MS have reduced activity of this enzyme.
Probioitics
DIGESTIVE ENZYMES are needed to digest food properly and for a multitude of metabolic functions. They turn the wheels of our body chemistry and make nutrients easier to absorb in the gut. If any digestive enzymes are lacking or not working effectively your body cannot use nutrients from food. Absorption of poorly digested food can lead to gut inflammation, leaky gut and food allergies. Food ferments in the gut causing gas, burning and bloating. Incompletely digested foods produce toxins, irritate the intestines, and enter the bloodstream. Over time this can lead to degenerative and/or autoimmune diseases. It is common for people with MS to have digestive problems. Poor digestion keeps the immune cells tied up in our gut, leaving us defenceless against virus, fungus, yeast, candida, and bacteria so infections are more likely.
Neurotransmitters & Energy Releasers
LECITHIN helps in fat metabolism. It is a a precursor of Acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitters needed for transmission of messages between brain cells.
PHOSPHATIDYL SERINE speeds up neurotransmitters.
CO-ENZYME QIO is an energy booster. It is a vitamin like substance found in the mitochondria of every cell, the mitochondria being responsible for the energy generation of cells.
ENADA also helps increase energy.
Amino Acids
Amino Acids are the building blocks of all proteins including all cell membranes, tissues, blood, lymph, enzymes and hormones, so are essential for good health. They come from good quality proteins such as fish and lean meat. Eight amino acids are essential because you cannot make them in your body but have to get them from foods. A lack of these essential aminos may be due to faulty digestion/absorption, which then disrupts metabolic processes creating general symptoms of weakness, fatigue and lethargy. At the Tahoma Clinic in Seattle it was found that in nearly 100% of MS cases the amino acid blood levels were abnormally low. Amino acid supplements can reduce weakness and fatigue. By improving metabolism they contribute to greater energy and well-being.
L-GLUTAMINE is the most abundant amino acid in our bodies. Immune cells need glucose, but will only grow if they have glutamine too. L-Glutamine helps protect against a leaky gut, which is common in MS. Glutamine is the most important nutrient and fuel for the mucosal lining of the small intestine and the colon. The cells of the intestine or gut are the fasting growing cells in our bodies. They form a thin (one cell thick) barrier between the digestive tract and the rest of the body and have to be replenished constantly - gaps can open between these cells, resulting in a leaky gut. Glutamine also:-
reduces fatigue. It is important brain fuel
helps reduce cravings for sweets, chocolate, alcohol, cigarettes, drugs etc
help reduce hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
helps in the production of glutathione peroxidase, a key antioxidant enzyme.
delivers nitrogen when it is needed to help
build muscle tissue and removes nitrogen when there is acid build-up,
helping detoxification. It also helps the liver rid the body of toxic
substances.
prevents muscle breakdown. When you are under stress, for instance through illness, surgery or an accident, glutamine is ‘robbed’ from lean muscle tissue to fuel the tissues of the intestines, liver and immune system. Muscle tissue is also used to make more glutamine; this causes muscle wasting.
Complementary medicine complements mainstream medicine.
There are a wide variety of complementary treatments available,
the most popular being: acupuncture, aromatherapy,
homeopathy, herbal medicine and the manipulative therapies-chiropractice,
osteopathy and massage.
It
is important to emphasise that complementary therapies do not provide a cure for
MS or slow down progression of the disease but can offer benefit
in terms of symptomatic relief. You should seek complementary treatments from
highly trained, professional practitioners who are aware of the benefits and adverse
effects.
Aromatherapists believe that essential oils, extracted from plants, can be absorbed through the skin. Once the oils have penetrated the skin, they are thought to travel to organs, glands and tissues and to seep into the bloodstream and lymph fluid of the body, the result of which aids in healing. Also, the natural antibacterial and antiviral properties of essential oils appear to increase resistance to infection. Each essential oil has its own distinctive properties, which have an effect on both body and mind and also influence emotions. By far, the best and most effective way of using essential oils is with massage. The reaction of rubbing is thought to activate nerve endings and stimulate the circulation of blood at the surface of the skin. Massage is relaxing and promotes a sense of well-being.
Acupuncture
works on the principle of that there are a series of points in the body,
approximately 800, each linked to an organ.
If an organ fails to function during an illness or spell of ill health,
the point registers the dysfunction.
The
points are understood to be linked together in an imaginary line known as the
meridian, which works as a sort of energy pathway.
If the points remain in balance along their meridian, you enjoy a state
of health.
If there is a lack of
energy, or an excess of it, the meridian becomes sensitive and registers a state
of imbalance or illness.
The work
of the acupuncturist is to make sure the meridians have an even flow of energy
passing through them.
This is
achieved by using needles, the pricks of which stimulate specific nerves.
The electrical impulses generated register in the brain, the spinal cord
and the affected area.
It is reported that
acupuncture may alleviate some MS symptoms such as pain, cramps, pins and
needles, tingling sensations and coldness in the limbs.
Homeopathy
was developed around 200 years ago by a German physician, Samuel Hahnemann.
It is based on the principle of 'like is cured by like' (similia
similibus curentur) and uses highly dilute remedies.
A homeopath will hold a consultation and will prescribe an appropriate
homeopathic remedy according to symptoms and personal characteristics. There
are case reports of improvements in symptoms in people with MS who have received
homeopathic treatment.
It has been established in recent years that in many forms
of illness there is some relationship between the manifestation of symptoms and
the lifestyle and outlook of the person displaying those symptoms.
The yoga approach in MS is not a cure or treatment, but can be considered
therapy.
It seems to provide an
antidote to the tensions of MS- both the tensions that arise as a consequence of
the disease itself and those that are a reaction to living with it.
Yoga invites you to accept life as it comes and teaches the skills to
work in a systematic but relaxed way within the restrictions of a disease or
problem area.
Enthusiasts claim
that yoga has much to offer that is of significant benefit to those with MS
because it can maximise energy, give new tone to the neuromuscular system, have
a positive effect on the immune system, improve the function of the glands,
build up resistance to illness and keep the body supple.
Water is a natural and thorough cleansing agent, internally
as well as externally.
It is much
valued by natural therapists.
In
continental Europe it is still common for people with MS to be treated with
hydrotherapy at clinics in spa towns.
The
blood circulation is stimulated by showering with cold and warm water
alternately.
Spasms, tremors, stiff
joints and pain can be alleviated by bathing in essences of pine and lavender
which are excellent for the nervous system.
Hydrotherapy, in short, can promote energy and well-being.
Hippotherapy
is horse riding as a treatment.
It
is particularly encouraged as a treatment for MS in Switzerland and Scandanavia
because it provides gentle exercise for the muscles and improves coordination
and concentration.
In
all areas of life, the experience of stress, frustration or illness may result in
feelings of failure to cope and may in extreme situations lead to feelings of
despair. And, as in all other areas
of human activity, the ability to cope is a very individual characteristic.
The type of crisis that many find sad but tolerable, may leave others
distraught. Often, a trained
counsellor will have not only the methods, but perhaps more importantly, the
time to assist those in a distressed state to cope for themselves. The term ,counselling
itself is a highly misused term. It
may be used to refer to anything from a sympathetic listening ear, to medically
oriented advice on a condition, probing hidden fears and concerns and providing
the individual with the means to confront and deal with them, or a full
programme of psychotherapy.
Counselling
gives those with MS an opportunity to explore in a safe, understanding
professional relationship what it means for them to live with the condition.
It is, at times, difficult to live with the way MS interferes in your
life. If you have the condition, you may find its existence and
symptoms so intrusive and frightening that the need to express what it is like
is the only bit of relief you can get. If
you don't have MS yourself, but are close to someone who does, you too deserve
space to express your own reactions and needs.
It should not always be assumed that problems and fears lie only with
those who have MS. Children and parents may have deep rooted anxieties and
feelings of guilt, partners may feel unable to cope and employers may find it
difficult to understand the problems associated with MS.
In all instances, talking things through in confidence with a trained
counsellor will allow you to face the experience of MS, and discover the
resources within you and the support available from others.
The need for counselling is perhaps most apparent at or soon after
diagnosis, although there are of course other times when adjustments to changed
situations are more easily made with expert help.
When a diagnosis is first made, whilst there can be a very real sense of
relief that at last these symptoms have a name, there are usually unspoken
medical and non-medical anxieties which a trained counsellor may be able to
resolve.
As
each person's needs are different, the expert counsellor uses his skills to
focus on you and create the right environment for you to discover for yourself
in your own way and time what contributes to or blocks your coping well with MS.
It is to do with unlocking your own inner strengths and resources.
Having a disability can involve extra costs- for heating, equipment, transport, accommodation, medication, assistance with care and other everyday needs. Costs can increase as levels of disability increase and can result from a combination of factors including a need to stop paid employment or a need to have aids and adaptations that are not provided by the state. You may be entitled to some form of financial assistance because of difficulties caused by MS.
There is a wide range of disability-related financial support available, including benefits, tax credits, payments, grants and concessions. For full, up-to-date information on Disability Living Allowances and benefits that you may be entitled to, you should visit www.nidirect.gov.uk.
