Treatments : National MS Society

Although there is still no cure for MS, effective strategies are available to modify the disease course, treat exacerbations(also called attacks, relapses, or flare-ups), manage symptoms, improve function and safety, and provide emotional support. In combination, these treatments enhance the quality of life for people living with MS.

The following agents can reduce disease activity and disease progression for many individuals with relapsing forms of MS, including those with secondary progressive disease who continue to have relapses.

Adhering to your treatment plan is the best possible strategy for managing your MSand continuing the disease-modifying medication your doctor has recommended for you is an important part of that plan.

An exacerbation of MS is caused by inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) that causes damage to the myelin and slows orblocks the transmission of nerve impulses. To be a true exacerbation, the attack must last at least 24 hours and be separated from a previous exacerbation by at least 30 days. However, most exacerbations last from a few days to several weeks or even months. Exacerbations can be mild or severe enough to interfere with a persons ability to function at home and at work. Severeexacerbations are most commonly treated with high-dosecorticosteroidsto reduce the inflammation.

In multiple sclerosis, damage to the myelin in the central nervous system (CNS), and to the nerve fibers themselves, interferes with the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and spinal cord and other parts of the body. This disruption of nerve signals produces the symptoms of MS, which vary depending on where the damage has occurred. MS symptoms can be effectively managed with a comprehensive treatment approach that includesmedication(s) and rehabilitation strategies.

Rehabilitation programs focus on functionthey are designed to help you improve or maintain your ability to perform effectively and safely at home and at work. Rehabilitation professionals focus on overall fitness and energy management, while addressing problems with accessibility and mobility, speech and swallowing, and memory and other cognitive functions.

Rehabilitation is an important component of comprehensive, quality health care for people with MS, at all stages of the disease. Rehabilitation programs include:

CAM includes everything from exercise and diet to food supplements, stress management strategies, and lifestyle changes. These therapies come from various disciplines and traditionsyoga, hypnosis, relaxation techniques, traditional herbal healing, Chinese medicine, macrobiotics, naturopathy, and many others. They are referred to as complementary when they are used in conjunction with conventional medical treatments and alternative when they are used instead of conventional treatments.

Aug 29, 2013 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a case of PML (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a viral infection of the brain that usually leads to death or severe disability) that occurred in a person taking Gilenya (fingolimod, Novartis AG). This person had not previously received Tysabri (natalizumab, Biogen Idec and Elan Pharmaceuticals); read more about the increased risk of PML in people taking Tysabri here, http://www.nationalmssociety.org/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=2308). It is not yet known what caused the occurrence of PML in this case.

Mar 27, 2013 The FDA has approved Tecfidera capsules (dimethyl fumarate, Biogen Idec formerly BG-12) as a first-line disease-modifying therapy for people with relapsing forms of MS. This makes the third oral therapy approved for relapsing MS, and the tenth disease-modifying treatment available in the U.S. Tecfidera is expected to be available by prescription within a few days.

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Treatments : National MS Society