Myths About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis has become quite a misunderstood medical condition. This has led to a number of misinformation of the debilitating disease that has kept a lot of people in fear, all for the wrong reasons. Here are some myths that have been wandering around for a long time now that people should finally know about.
“Multiple Sclerosis is a fatal disease.”
There are people who think that having MS is already like having a death sentence. Studies have shown this to be not the case. Multiple sclerosis in itself may not be such a fatal disease if it is treated at its early stages. Most of the deaths caused by MS are due to complications that happen in the advanced and progressive stages of the disease. Early treatment may help prevent these complications from happening.
“People with MS will eventually end up in a wheelchair.”
Although MS is considered as a debilitating disease, it may not be fair to conclude that everyone who suffers from it would end up in a wheelchair. People with MS might need a wheelchair at times because they might find it hard to walk. But it would not mean that they would lose their mobility that way in the end. MS sufferers need not be wheelchair bound all the time. It is just a way to conserve energy sometimes as most may still have the ability to walk.
“People with MS should stop working.”
Just because people are suffering from Ms does not necessarily mean that they have to stop working. The symptoms that MS may show can make it a hindrance to work at time. But it should not be the reason why one should stop working altogether. People with MS may stop work, but it should not hinder them from being productive. If MS might prove to be a hindrance, a career change may be an exciting opportunity to consider. MS sufferers can exchange a physically draining job for something that may require less effort but might give just about the same kind of fulfillment.
“With enough willpower, you can cure MS.”
Although willpower can get MS sufferers through very tough times, it is in no way enough to cure the condition. As of the present, there is no known cure for multiple sclerosis. The symptoms that sufferers experience may lead them to think that it might be al in their head and can go away with the right amount of willpower. In fact, such symptoms, without the right kind of treatment, won’t go away and would just get worse.
Diet for Multiple Sclerosis
In the fight to curb the threat of multiple sclerosis, scientists are trying to look at nutrition and diet to help what may be a means of managing the different conditions that MS sufferers may find themselves into. Although still considered as an incurable disease, multiple sclerosis sufferers may have a chance of living a more comfortable life by seeking ways to manage the debilitating symptoms brought about by the disease. One factor that may affect MS sufferers can be linked to their diet.One factor that may be closely linked to the development of multiple sclerosis is the consumption of essential fatty acids, mainly that of the omega-3 kind. Omega-3 fatty acids are more commonly known as fish oils. Scientists have discovered that people living in areas such as Japan and the Norwegian Coast where fish consumption is high have a lower incidence of multiple sclerosis than those expected from areas belonging on the same latitude. This shows that diet may also pose as a factor in MS along with geographic location. Scientists believe that it is the Omega-3 fatty acids in fish that may provide some protective measure against multiple sclerosis.
A diet that includes consumption of fish oils, low intake of saturated fats and high intake of unsaturated fats may help in reducing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. The Omega-3 fatty acids have been known to help reduce inflammation in certain allergic conditions. Elevating the consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids, scientists believe may have an effect on how some symptoms of MS may eventually develop.
Another nutrient that scientists have discovered to have an effect on MS is the family of carotenoids, mainly alpha- and beta-carotene. Studies have found that exposure to longer periods of light may help in the release of carotenoids in the eye. Aside from helping to curb down allergic inflammation, carotenoids seem to help in preventing MS associated eye damage.
Another possible factor in the development of MS may be linked to vitamin B12 deficiency. A study at the King’s College Hospital in London, England by Dr. E.H. Reynolds showed that MS patients seem to suffer also from vitamin B12 deficiency. Giving MS patients with doses of vitamin B12 seem to offer some neurological benefit although it was initially done for placebo purposes. The surprising result may show the association that the said vitamin may have on multiple sclerosis.
The effect of these nutrients on people with MS suggests that a change in diet may also have an impact on the symptoms that sufferers of the said disease may experience. Although more studies may be needed in order to know just to what extent diet may affect the development of MS, the preliminary studies may have already shown how diet may help reduce certain symptoms that MS may bring and ultimately help prevent the development of the disease.
Multiple Sclerosis Self-Care
Coping up with such a disease like multiple sclerosis may not be an easy task. Such a debilitating illness can easy lead one to think that life ahead would be very difficult.
But it doesn’t mean that people with multiple sclerosis cannot live a better and more comfortable life ahead than they might have otherwise expected. It may take some effort, but following simple tips may help a lot in making a person with multiple sclerosis cope up better with daily life.
The best way to cope up with a disease such as multiple sclerosis is by learning how to manage with relieving the symptoms. Apart from treating the symptoms with medication, there are other things that can be done to provide relief to some of the common multiple sclerosis symptoms. One of them is exercise.
Regular aerobic exercise may provide some benefits for those suffering from mild to moderate MS. Regular exercise may be able to improve strength and muscle tone as well as help in improving one’s balance and coordination. Not only that, regular exercise can also help combat depression in such that it gives a person with multiple sclerosis something meaningful to do.
Getting enough rest can also help people with multiple sclerosis deal with common symptoms such as fatigue. Frequent rest periods allow the body to be rejuvenated and make one fell less tired all of the time. Eating a well-balanced diet may also help a lot while dealing with various multiple sclerosis symptoms. A regular healthy and well-balanced diet ensures that one has a strong immune system.
There are also some other things that people with MS should consider when coping up with the disease. This would involve a closer look at otherwise common situation which may trigger MS symptoms. One should learn how to handle or deal with heat on a daily basis. Extreme heat may cause muscle weakness and may trigger similar MS symptoms to come out.
Although most people with MS may not be bothered by heat and might even enjoy taking warm baths and showers, it is important to learn that heat may contribute to the worsening of some of the common MS symptoms. One should take careful steps when dealing with heat especially if one is not sure of how to react. If a worsening of MS symptoms is experienced as a reaction to heat, one should start cooling down right away. A few hours will usually return one to a normal state.
Cooling down is also important for people with MS. This is especially useful for sufferers who frequently experience heat related MS symptoms. Air conditioning may help provide some relief especially if one lives in a hot and humid area. Getting cool baths may also help relieve heat related MS symptoms.
Living with Multiple Sclerosis
Although multiple sclerosis can be a physically limiting disease, there are many ways that people suffering from it can live more normal lives. Although it can be a challenge having to deal with typical MS symptoms such as fatigue, memory lapses and vision problems, it is a matter of knowing how to cope up with them that would spell the difference.Living as normally as possible with multiple sclerosis would mean being able to manage the common symptoms that are associated with the disease. Making the effort to cope up with them is better than putting up your hands in surrender. Although it would really take work and time, managing the MS symptoms that you usually experience would make your day to day life all the more worthwhile.
When it comes to managing fatigue, you should be aware that not all of them may be an MS symptom. Some instances of fatigue can be attributed to the medication that you may be taking for multiple sclerosis. This means that some instances of fatigue can be managed by some type of exercise or physical therapy that can be recommended by your physician.
Aside from fatigue, there are also other side effects that can be brought about by your MS medication. You might experience itching or rashes on some parts of your body. You might also have trouble breathing or feel nauseous after taking your MS medication. Some might even cause an allergic reaction that may happen within two hours after taking your first medication.
Sometimes some people mistake these side effects as a symptom of MS and may feel powerless to do anything. But in fact, these symptoms may come as a side effect rather than be blamed for the MS. And these side effects can be treated. If you find yourself experiencing such side effects, you should tell your doctor about this so that he may be able to give you the proper treatment for it or formulate for a different treatment approach for your MS.
If you find yourself feeling depressed as a symptom of MS, you are just one of the many people who feel the same. You do not have to worry since the depression can be well managed through anti-depressant medication or through counseling. This will greatly help you cope up with your MS and avoid blaming the disease for all your miseries all of the time.
Always make it a point to always talk with your doctor about the symptoms that you experience with MS. Doctor and patient interaction is, as always, important in every type of treatment for whatever type of disease, including MS. By doing so, you are also doing your part in being able to cope better with multiple sclerosis.
