Multiple sclerosis — Treatment at Mayo Clinic

Multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment involves managing the symptoms as well as treating the disease before permanent damage causes additional symptoms. Although there is no cure for MS, treatments may include medications, physical and occupational therapy and experimental therapies.

Nearly 45 percent of people who don't get relief from corticosteroids benefit from plasma exchange. It's not clear why plasma exchange works, but doctors believe that replacing plasma may dilute the activity of the destructive factors in the immune system.

Plasma exchange is effective for people who have sudden, severe attacks of MS-related disability who don't benefit from high doses of corticosteroids. The treatment is most helpful in those who have a mild disability before the attack. Plasma exchange has no proven benefit beyond three months from the onset of neurologic symptoms.

Mayo Clinic doctors generally recommend beta interferons for people who have more than one MS attack a year and for those who don't recover well from flare-ups. The treatment may also be used for people who have a significant buildup of new lesions as seen on an MRI scan, even without major new symptoms of disease activity.

A number of drugs are available to help relieve MS symptoms.

Your doctor may recommend physical or occupational therapy to help you preserve your independence. You'll learn how to perform strengthening exercises and use devices that ease your daily tasks.

Individual or group therapy may help you and your family better cope with MS and relieve emotional stress.

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Multiple sclerosis — Treatment at Mayo Clinic