Multiple Sclerosis Health Article

Recovery and rehabilitation

When recovering from a symptom flare-up or learning to cope with a change in mobility, rehabilitation through physical therapy can be of great value training patients to improve mobility and to decrease spasticity and strengthen muscles. Some of those who have a physically demanding or highly stressful job may choose to make a career change, in which case vocational training is helpful.

Occupational therapy helps in assessing the patient's functional abilities in completing activities of daily living, assessing fine motor skills, and evaluating for adaptive equipment and assistive technology needs. Speech therapists assess the patient's speech, language, and swallowing and may work with the patient on compensatory techniques to manage cognitive problems.

Clinical trials

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is recruiting patients to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effect of the drug Rolipram on MS. The NINDS is also recruiting patients with relapsing-remitting or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis to examine the safety and effectiveness of Zenapax (a laboratory-manufactured antibody) in treatment of MS. More information is available at the website: <http://www.clinicaltrials.gov>, a clinical trial service sponsored by the United States government.

Prognosis

It is generally very difficult to predict the course of MS. The disorder varies greatly in each individual, but most people with MS can expect to live 95% of the normal life expectancy. Some studies have shown that people who have few attacks in the first several years after diagnosis, long intervals between attacks, complete recovery from attacks, and attacks that are sensory in nature (i.e., numbness or tingling) tend to fare better. People who have early symptoms of tremor, difficulty in walking, or who have frequent attacks with incomplete recoveries, or more lesions visible on MRI scans early on, tend to have a more progressive disease course.

Special concerns

People with should avoid caffeine-containing beverage, which can actually be dehydrating. The diet should also be rich in fiber, particularly from whole grains, fruits and vegetables to increase digestive motility and reduce constipation. Maintenance of weight in the normal range is also desirable in order to diminishes stress on the joints and skeletal muscles.

Gait difficulty (difficulty with walking) may worsen during pregnancy, and assistive devices for walking or a wheelchair are useful at this time. During pregnancy, bladder and bowel problems may also be aggravated in women with MS who already have these dysfunctions.

BOOKS

O'Connor, Paul. Multiple Sclerosis: The Facts You Need. Firefly Books, 1999.

Warren, Sharon, and Kenneth Warren. Multiple Sclerosis. World Health Organization, 2001.

PERIODICALS

Myles, Mary L. "The ongoing battle against multiple sclerosis." Canadian Journal of Diagnosis (June, 2003): 108–117.

OTHER

"About MS." Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. <http://www.msaa.com> (February 12, 2004).

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. NINDS Multiple Sclerosis Information Page. <http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/multiple_sclerosis.htm> (February 12, 2004).

National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Living with MS. <http://www.nationalmssociety.org> (February 1, 2004).

ORGANIZATIONS

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. 733 Third Avenue, 6th floor, New York, NY 10017. (212) 986-3240 or (800) 344-4867; Fax: (212) 986-7981. nat@nmss.org. <http://www.nationalmssociety.org>.

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