Drug Combo with Antibiotics May Slow MS Progression
A new study shows that adding antibiotics to medication used to treat multiple sclerosis may have an effect of slowing down the progression of the disease. According to a study that was on the online issue of the Archives of Neurology, a team of researchers from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport conducted a single center trial composed of 15 patients with relapsing-remitting MS.In the said trial, the team, headed by Dr Alireza Minagar, gave a 100 mg dose of the antibiotic doxycycline daily for four months in addition to the patients’ Interferon therapy. At each month of the trial each patient took a neurological exam as well as an MRI scan and blood tests to check the results. After four months, MRI scans from the trial subjects showed fewer lesions on the brain with 60 percent of them showing a 25 reduction in the number of lesions than were present at the start of the said study. In addition, the patients also showed lower scores on their disability tests.
Multiple sclerosis or MS is a debilitating disease that causes inflammation and degeneration of brain tissue. It is usually triggered by yet unidentified antigens as well as other agents. It also affects people that are genetically prone to developing the disease. The most common type of MS is known as relapsing-remitting MS where people experience sudden muscle weakness and spasms without any previous symptoms.
There is currently no known cure for MS. What treatment there is available is geared towards treating the symptoms caused by MS. Medication that is available to treat it include the drug Interferon which is a drug that boosts the immune system and helps the body fight viruses. This is usually taken as a therapy medication for those with relapsing-remitting MS. Interferon is not considered as a cure and does not prevent relapses of the disease or stop the development of new brain lesions.
The authors of the study further noted that the antibiotic doxycycline as well as others that belong to the tetracycline family may be helpful in combating MS as well as other types of inflammatory diseases by slowing down the enzymes that try to attack certain cells found in the nervous system.
They further added that there is a growing interest in developing a combination therapy in patients with MS to stabilize the clinical course, reduce the rate of relapses as well as slow down the progressive course of the disease. The authors also cautioned that further studies might be needed to ensure that the said treatment is safe for a larger number of patients with MS.
Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/91379.php
Neurological Tests for MS
There are several neurological tests that are used to diagnose for multiple sclerosis. It may be quite unfortunate that there is no single test available that may diagnose multiple sclerosis in people. What doctors depend on is the results of a variety of neurological tests that might help give them the proper evaluation if indeed a person is suffering from multiple sclerosis or not.One of the key signs that doctors use to evaluate if a person has Ms is by checking for Optic Neuritis. It is an inflammation of the optic nerve in the retina that is followed by a demyelination or the degeneration of myelin, the protective fatty protein which acts as a shield to nerve cells.
Optic Neuritis may bring about blurring of vision, loss of some color vision, complete or partial blindness as well as pain behind the eye. Optic Neuritis is one of the symptoms frequently experienced by people developing multiple sclerosis. A test called Visually Evoked Potential Test or VEP is used to detect the speed of nerve transmissions through the optic nerve. It is also an effective diagnostic test for optic neuritis.
The Babinski reflex is also a test usually used for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. This test involves stroking a pointed object at the outside sole of the foot from heel to toe. The normal response is for the toes to curl downwards. People with neurological problems located at the corticospinal tract would have their big toes curling upwards instead. There is another test used also to detect lesions in the corticospinal tract. It is known as the Hoffman’s sign where the neurologist taps the nail of a person’s third or fourth finger. A positive response is given when the terminal phalanx of the thumb flexes.
Another neurological test used for diagnosing Ms is the Doll’s Eye Sign. In this test, the doctor is looking for the dissociation between the movement of the head and the eyes. A positive response is seen when the eyes moves up while the head moves down. Sensory tests are also used to diagnose other neurological symptoms of MS. This is done with the use of tuning forks and pins to test the different levels of sensory perception in selected parts of the body.
Other tests used by doctors in diagnosing for multiple sclerosis include tests for muscle strength which involves the level of resistance of the different muscle groups. Differences in the strength of the left and the right sides are evaluated. Tests for hearing loss are also part of the series of tests for multiple sclerosis. This can be done by the doctor clicking his fingers next to each ear of the patient and having him locate where the sound comes from.
Diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is not an easy disease to diagnose. The fact that some of the symptoms it may exhibit can also be similar to some other types of ailments.There are some instances that a condition having MS-like symptoms can be nothing more than some other stress related disorders. There are certain conditions that might imitate common MS symptoms. This can make it difficult for doctors to make an accurate after only a single test.
Currently, there is no single test available that may help provide an accurate diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. In properly diagnosing if one suffers from multiple sclerosis, neurologists depend on studying a patient’s medical history along with a thorough neurological examination wherein the function of the brain and the spinal cord is tested using various methods.
There are a number of neurological tests that doctors use in order to diagnose the onset of multiple sclerosis. There is what is called the Romberg’s sign wherein doctors test for ataxia or the clumsiness of movement not attributed to muscular weakness. This is usually done by letting the patient stand with the eyes closed.
Ataxia can also be evaluated in the different parts of the body through observation of the patient walking normally. Tests such as walking heel to toe as well as with finger to nose may be done to observe involuntary shaking or clumsiness which may be a possible symptom of multiple sclerosis. There is also the heel/shin test for ataxia. This test is also used for detecting cerebellar dysfunction. This is done by lifting the ball of the heel and bringing it towards the knee of the other leg and moved down towards the shin.
Another test used by doctors to diagnose multiple sclerosis is the L’Hermitte’s sign. This is a test used to find lesions on the spinal cord in the neck area. The L’Hermitte’s sign actually describes the sensation of electrical buzzing in the limbs and body brought about by neck movements. The electrical buzzing sensations experienced are also called paraesthesia and may include tingling, partial numbness and sharp pains.
This can be triggered by lowering the head so the chin touches the chest area. The sensation may only last a couple of seconds but it may indicate that there may be lesions in the cervical spine. Neck movements may cause the damaged nerves to stretch and send out erroneous signals to the brain causing the electrical buzzing sensation.
The L’Hermitte’s sign can be linked to multiple sclerosis although it can also be associated with a number of other conditions such as arthritis, disc compression, or possible tumors. This test alone cannot solely tell if one has multiple sclerosis but should be used with a number of other tests in order to have a more accurate diagnosis.
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.
Designer Estrogen as a Potential Treatment for MS
The campaign of finding a cure for multiple sclerosis (MS) still rages on. But year after year, scientists and researchers are getting better in understanding this debilitating disorder and are getting closer and closer in finding that eventual cure. Experts are finding new ways in trying to win the battle against MS and helping other people cope up and better handle the difficulties as well as the challenges that comes with the disease.
Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the central nervous system. It is a chronic, inflammatory disease that can cause symptoms such as muscle weakness, difficulties in speech and mobility and, in more severe cases, even cause disability. The disease is believed to affect the ability of the neurons in the brain and the spinal cord to communicate to enable the brain to have normal control of the body.
The neurons ability to carry information and provide proper coordination with the brain and the spinal cord to enable normal functions seem to be affected when the myelin sheath, a protective layer of fatty insulation surrounding each neuron, is damaged. This effect usually happens to people with multiple sclerosis. As the myelin sheath is gradually destroyed, it affects how the neurons can effectively carry, receive and transmit electrical signals which further leads to the gradual degeneration of the body’s central nervous system.
Although the cure for the debilitating disorder has yet to be found, researchers and experts on MS have discovered new grounds in trying to combat the disease. Recently, UCLA scientists have been able to show evidence that using a specific form of estrogen might be able to protect the brain from degeneration and yet not increase the risk of developing estrogen-induced cancers.
The study was done by giving laboratory mice with the animal equivalent of multiple sclerosis with a specific form of estrogen to prevent further brain degeneration. Although there are currently a number of medications that help treat the physical symptoms that come with multiple sclerosis, there hasn’t yet been a treatment found that will help prevent the disorder from causing further brain degeneration.
The new findings suggest that there is a potential in the future for a type of “designer estrogen” to be given to MS patients in order to prevent further brain degeneration caused by the disease. This type of estrogen may also be used to fight other forms of brain degeneration caused by other diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Lou Gehrig’s disease and other forms of spinal cord injuries. What makes this type of estrogen even more promising is that it does not increase the risk of cancers caused by the said hormone such as those cancers that affect the breast and the uterus in women
Managing Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis can become a physically limiting condition that may prevent a person from living normally. It is an ailment that can cause fatigue, vision and memory problems as just a few of other multiple sclerosis symptoms. Living a life faced with multiple sclerosis can be challenging and sometimes distressing experiences. But having multiple sclerosis should not mean the end of trying to live well. There are ways available that can help people with MS still live a more enriching life.Although there is no known cure for MS at this time, it doesn’t mean as the end of the world for MS sufferers. There are certain treatments available that can help people cope up with their condition. Certain lifestyle changes can also help one better manage multiple sclerosis and enjoy life.
The first thing that you can do to live better with any condition like multiple sclerosis is to have yourself diagnosed. If you feel that you have symptoms that can be linked to multiple sclerosis, it would be better if you talk to your doctor immediately in order to discover early on if you do have multiple sclerosis. Once diagnosed, your doctor may then be able to provide you with the proper treatment that may help slow down the progression of the disease.
There are also ways in which you may be able to manage the symptoms that come with multiple sclerosis. Instead of feeling helpless and depressed when such symptoms arise, you can do something to cope up with them. If you experience some vision problems, you can take some medications which may help with your vision problems. If one eye is disturbing you, you can patch it up for a while and make do with your other eye. If you experience some difficulties reading small print, have a magnifying glass handy or you can use bigger prints when labeling things around your home.
If you experience muscle weakness, you can ask for some help from a physical therapist to help show you exercises that would help improve your strength and flexibility. And when you feel weak while walking, you can make use of canes and crutches or even scooters and wheelchairs to help you move around. When it is numbness that you have to deal with, try to be extra careful especially if you go near known sources of heat. Numbness can limit your sensitiveness to heat and you may not feel getting yourself burned when near a fire or in handling hot water.
Coping with the pain brought by multiple sclerosis might be one of the most distressing things about the condition. If not managed effectively, multiple sclerosis can really be a very painful condition. Pain management for MS includes physical therapy to help strengthen the body and help the sufferer learn about compensatory techniques to prevent the overuse of the muscles. There are a number of prescription as well as over the counter medications that may help on cope up with the pain brought by MS. It is best to talk with your doctor to give you the type of medication that will work best for you.
Diseases of the Nervous System
The nervous system is a complex and sophisticated system responsible for regulating and coordinating body activities. It is divided into the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS is the largest part of the nervous system, consisting of the brain and spinal cord, whereas the PNS consists largely of nerves and neurons. Together they control the workings of the body.Neurological diseases are disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves through out the body. When you have trouble speaking, moving, swallowing, breathing or thinking, this indicates that something is wrong with a part of your nervous system. Other symptoms include considerable changes in your mood, senses, or memory.
The major types of neurological diseases include the following: degenerative diseases (Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease); diseases caused by faulty genes (muscular dystrophy); diseases of blood vessels supplying the brain (stroke); problems in the development of the nervous system (spina bifida); spinal cord and brain injuries; seizure disorders (epilepsy); cancer; and other infections.
Below is a list of selected diseases and syndromes of the nervous system with a brief description of each. Some of these have unknown causes and scientists have yet to find proven treatments for most neurological diseases. Knowing the common symptoms of such diseases will aid in giving proper diagnosis and care.
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Affecting one in 10 persons over the age of 65 and almost half of those over 85, AD is recognized as the most common cause of dementia, a disorder in which mental functions deteriorate and breakdown. AD is a progressive and neurodegenerative disease occurring in the brain resulting into impaired memory, thinking, and behavior.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS is one of the most devastating disorders affecting nerve and muscle functions. It is characterized by progressive degeneration of nerve cells found in the spinal cord and the brain.
Bell’s Palsy. A condition resulting from damage to the facial cranial nerve, Bell’s palsy is an unexplained episode of weakness in the facial muscle that shortly begins and worsens in a span of 3 to 5 days.
Brain Cancer and Brain Tumor. Malignant tumors starting in any brain tissue are classified as primary brain cancer. Whereas secondary brain cancer starts in another part of the body and spreads to the brain. Both are treated differently. Benign tumors don’t contain cancer cells but may cause pressure in areas of the brain showing symptoms of brain cancer.
Epilepsy. When parts of the brain receive a burst of abnormal electrical signals temporarily interrupting normal brain function, a seizure occurs. A person may experience one or more seizures at a given time.
Meningitis. The inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain, known as meninges, is called meningitis. It may be caused either by a virus or a bacterium. Infection can reach the brain in several ways, may be through the bloodstream, from a head injury, etc.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS). A chronic disease of the central nervous system, MS is an unpredictable condition that may be relatively benign, disabling, or at times devastating. When communication between the brain and parts of the body is disrupted, those affected with MS may be incapacitated to write, speak, or walk.
Muscular Dystrophy. This group of genetic diseases is characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal or voluntary muscles controlling movement. Commonly, muscular dystrophy is hereditary, progressive, and causes selective patterns of weakness.
Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Parkinson’s is a slow progressing, degenerative disease with symptoms that include tremors, rigidness of the trunk and limbs, bradykinesia or slowness of movement, and unstable postures. These indications all result from the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells.
Stroke. Also called a “brain attack,” a stroke occurs when brain cells break down because of inadequate blood flow. These are caused by blockage in the artery of the heart or brain, and then by bleeding in the brain. This is why it is considered a cardiovascular disease and a neurological disorder.
New Means of Repairing Myelin as Possible MS Treatment
Researchers from the famed Mayo Clinic have been able to discover that a certain type of antibody administered in a single low dose in mice has shown evidence of repairing myelin. Myelin is the protective and insulating covering of the body’s nerves which, if damaged, can lead to multiple sclerosis or other disorders of the central nervous system.As a possible treatment for multiple sclerosis, this findings may help usher in new ways for which doctors may eventually be able to treat the said debilitating disorder. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system of the body. It is believed to be a type of auto immune disease wherein the body’s immune system attacks certain parts of the body without recognizing it as its own. The said disease is said to affect over a million people all over the world, with twice of them being women.
The idea of using human antibodies to treat nervous system disorders such as multiple sclerosis has not yet been tested in humans but proves to be a promising breakthrough that may someday lead into finding an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis. Myelin repair usually occurs normally in the body. But for those with multiple sclerosis and other central nervous system disorders, this process occurs very slowly and might fail eventually. What researchers are trying to focus on in finding a treatment for multiple sclerosis in by finding ways on how to speed up the myelin healing process.
The antibody used in the study was genetically engineered into a single cell and binds itself to myelin as well as surface of the cells in the spinal cord and the brain. The antibodies then trigger the cells to go through a process known as remyelination. It is the antibody that induces the repair process of the cells by working within the central nervous system at the damaged sites.
Although the study successfully treated mice with a single dose of the antibody, it may someday be a model that can be followed in treating multiple sclerosis in humans. A small dose of the said antibody was needed to trigger the remyelination which peaked after five weeks on the laboratory mice. As a natural protein found in the immune system, the antibodies seem not to carry any side effects. The antibodies are also found to be non-toxic even if given in large doses, although this finding might still need to be tested on humans.
Researchers have already produced the antibodies through genetic engineering and conducted the preliminary toxicology tests on mice as the first step in conducting clinical trials on humans in the near future. A hopeful finding that may eventually lead to effective multiple sclerosis treatments in the future, further studies might be needed to ensure that the antibodies may indeed find themselves of valuable use in treating human patients.
Multiple Sclerosis Management
Multiple sclerosis can become a physically limiting condition that may prevent a person from living normally. It is an ailment that can cause fatigue, vision and memory problems as just a few of other multiple sclerosis symptoms. Living a life faced with multiple sclerosis can be challenging and sometimes distressing experiences. But having multiple sclerosis should not mean the end of trying to live well. There are ways available that can help people with MS still live a more enriching life.
Although there is no known cure for MS at this time, it doesn’t mean as the end of the world for MS sufferers. There are certain treatments available that can help people cope up with their condition. Certain lifestyle changes can also help one better manage multiple sclerosis and enjoy life.
The first thing that you can do to live better with any condition like multiple sclerosis is to have yourself diagnosed. If you feel that you have symptoms that can be linked to multiple sclerosis, it would be better if you talk to your doctor immediately in order to discover early on if you do have multiple sclerosis. Once diagnosed, your doctor may then be able to provide you with the proper treatment that may help slow down the progression of the disease.
There are also ways in which you may be able to manage the symptoms that come with multiple sclerosis. Instead of feeling helpless and depressed when such symptoms arise, you can do something to cope up with them. If you experience some vision problems, you can take some medications which may help with your vision problems. If one eye is disturbing you, you can patch it up for a while and make do with your other eye. If you experience some difficulties reading small print, have a magnifying glass handy or you can use bigger prints when labeling things around your home.
If you experience muscle weakness, you can ask for some help from a physical therapist to help show you exercises that would help improve your strength and flexibility. And when you feel weak while walking, you can make use of canes and crutches or even scooters and wheelchairs to help you move around. When it is numbness that you have to deal with, try to be extra careful especially if you go near known sources of heat. Numbness can limit your sensitiveness to heat and you may not feel getting yourself burned when near a fire or in handling hot water.
Coping with the pain brought by multiple sclerosis might be one of the most distressing things about the condition. If not managed effectively, multiple sclerosis can really be a very painful condition. Pain management for MS includes physical therapy to help strengthen the body and help the sufferer learn about compensatory techniques to prevent the overuse of the muscles. There are a number of prescription as well as over the counter medications that may help on cope up with the pain brought by MS. It is best to talk with your doctor to give you the type of medication that will work best for you.
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