Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Treatment
There is no known cure for multiple sclerosis (MS) until today, but some multiple sclerosis treatments can reduce the progression of the disease by reducing some of the multiple sclerosis symptoms. The main purpose of multiple sclerosis treatment is to prevent further multiple sclerosis attacks and disabilities. There are many disease-modifying multiple sclerosis treatments, which are used to reduce the progression of disease.
Use of Medications in Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
There are many disease-modifying medications used in multiple sclerosis treatment, which work by suppressing the activity of immune system. These disease-modifying medications do not cure multiple sclerosis completely but reduce the severity of the attacks and reduce future disability by slowing down the progression. Some of the disease-modifying medications used in multiple sclerosis treatment include:
- Betaseron (Interferon beta-1b): Betaseron comes under the form of medication Beta interferons. It is a genetically engineered copy of proteins that are found in the body naturally. Betaseron comes in a form of injection that should be injected under your skin (subcutaneously) every other day. Betaseron works by regulating the immune system and is used for treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.
- Avonex (Interferon beta-1a): Avonex also comes under Beta interferons group. This medication is also available in the form of injection, which is injected into your muscle (intramuscularly) weekly. Avonex is also used in treating relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. Common side effects associated with Avonex include mild flu-like symptoms.
- Rebif (Interferon beta-1a): Rebif also belongs to Beta interferons group. It also comes in a form of injection, which is injected under your skin (subcutaneously) three times a week. Rebif is also used in the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis and may also cause mild flu-like symptoms similar to Avonex.
- Copaxone (Glatiramer): Copaxone is a disease-modifying medication used for the treatment of relapsing-remittinf forms of multiple sclerosis. It also comes in an injection form, which must be injected under your skin daily. Common side effects include shortness of breath or reaction at the injection site.
- Mitoxantrone (Novantrone): Mitoxantrone is found effective in treating secondary progressive and progressive relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. it helps in multiple sclerosis treatment by reducing frequency of attacks and progression of disease. It should be injected into the vein (intravenously) once every three months or four times a year. Side effects include nausea and hair thinning. Its long-term use may cause serious side effects like heart damage.
- Natalizumab (Tysabri): Natalizumab is used in the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. It blocks the attachment of immune cells to brain blood cells thereby reducing the inflammatory action of the immune cells on brain cells. It should be injected into the vein once a month.
Other than these disease-modifying medications, there are certain medications like Lioresal, Zanaflex and corticosteroids that help to reduce some of the multiple sclerosis symptoms.
Essential Oils for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
There are some essential oils that are useful in treating multiple sclerosis. Essential oils for multiple sclerosis treatment include Basil, Cypress, Peppermint, Clary sage, Frankincense and rosemary essential oils. These essential oils help by reducing the nervous tension.
Plasmapheresis (Plasma Exchange) for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
For the people who don't respond to medications, plasmapheresis may be one of the solutions. This multiple sclerosis treatment helps in reducing the attacks by restoring the neurological function. Some of your blood is removed and blood cells are mechanically separated from the plasma. Separated blood cells are then mixed with a replacement solution like albumin, which is having plasma-like properties. This mixture is then returned to your body.
Replacing plasma may weaken the activities of antibodies in the immune system that attack myelin and thus help you to recover faster.
Alternative Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
There are various alternative multiple sclerosis treatments like herbal remedies, physical exercises, yoga, martial arts, or hyperbaric oxygenation used for reducing some of the multiple sclerosis symptoms.