Category Archives: MS Treatment

Jackson, MS (PRWEB) October 15, 2014 Roger Parkes, DMD, MSD and R. Clarke Stewart, DMD encourage patients in Jackson, MS to celebrate Dental Hygiene Month this October by learning about the LANAP protocol, an FDA-cleared laser gum surgery. This unique procedure cleans away bacteria and infection caused by gum disease without the cutting, scraping and suturing of traditional scalpel surgery. Gum disease has often reached advanced stages by the time patients notice the first symptoms, which include redness, tenderness and bleeding gums. Gum disease, or periodontitis, typically begins with plaque, a sticky paste created by bacteria in the mouth that feeds on acids from food. Plaque hardens to form tartar, which irritates the gums and causes infection below the gum line around the roots of the teeth. Severe gum disease symptoms often include pockets of pus that pull the gums away from the teeth. Good oral hygiene is the primary defense against plaque and tartar, but hormone fluctuations, genetics and tobacco use are risk factors that may make a patient more likely to develop the disease. Drs. Parkes and Stewart are in the minority of periodontists who are qualified to provide patients in Jackson, MS with laser gum surgery as … Continue reading →

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The first of Daniel Stewart's two cars was stolen out of the hospital parking lot and his second car was stolen not long after. "What could possibly happen to make things any worse you know? And then this happens," said Stewart. For Stewart, it's been a tough few weeks. He learned his wife Jennifer has MS. Then while at her side at Good Samaritan Hospital Sunday, he lost his keys. Whoever found them not only stole his car from the hospital lot, but also the family's second car parked in their driveway. "They probably got in my car. The only thing in my glove box would have been my registration and my insurance. It has my address right on it. Both keys are on the key ring, they probably drove straight here and got the other car," said Stewart. Both cars are the same make and model, a 2013 Chevy Cruze LS. Monday night, San Jose police found one of them with minimal damage, which is a bright spot in what's been a nightmare ordeal. The car thief found Stewart's wallet, which he left in his trunk. So not only is he dealing with stolen cars, … Continue reading →

Oct 14, 2014 1:59pm Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images Madeleine Stowe has revealed for the first time her late fathers battle with multiple sclerosis and how, as a child, she helped take care of him. Stowe is sharing her story as part ofbiotech giant Genzymes new campaign to educate and empower people living with MS. Back in the day, during my fathers time there were no approved treatment options, she said in a video for the campaign, Lights, Camera, Taken Action on MS. Myearliest memory might have been 2, 3 years old and hearing hes not doing quite well. Stowe said, There wasnt a high level of anxiety around it. It was, Okay this is different, This is strange. We were childrenbut there was this shadow. The shadow was MS. And we knew very little about it back in those days. There were no alternatives at the time. There was just the disease. Watch: Madeleine Stowe on Characters Queen of Mean Reputation Madeleine Stowe: Scheming Vixen On-Screen, Philanthropist in HaitiOff-Screen The Revenge star was the oldest of three children. I became with my mother, my fathers nursemaid, she recalled. Sometimes I felt like I lacked mercy and I judged him when I … Continue reading →

About MS Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that affects the nervous system. Nerves are coated in a protective covering called myelin. People with MS experience deterioration of the myelin. Nerves may function abnormally when the myelin is damaged. A number of unpredictable symptoms may result, including: Years of dedicated research have led to new treatments for MS. Although there is still no cure for the disease, drug regimens and behavioral therapy allow people with MS to lead healthier, more productive lives. Discover seven tips for beating fatigue There is presently no cure for MS. However, many treatment options are available that can help manage the course and symptoms of this chronic disease. Treatment can help: Treatment in the form of support groups or talk therapy can also provide emotional support for people living with the challenges of this chronic illness. Changing the course of the disease is a primary goal of multiple sclerosis treatment. Drugs that do this are called disease-modifying medications. In 2012, the oral drug teriflunomide (Aubagio) wasapproved for usein MS patients. A study published inThe New England Journal of Medicinefound that people with relapsing MS showed significantly lower disease progression rates and fewer annual relapses … Continue reading →

Former U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice speaks at Norwich University in Northfield, Vt., on Thursday, June 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Burlington Free Press, Glenn Russell) ** FILE ** more > Former New York Times executive editor Jill Abramson said that Condoleezza Rice, who served as secretary of state and national security adviser under President George W. Bush, personally asked for special press treatment specifically, cia-stories/ target=_blank>for the newspaper to kill a story. Ms. Rice reportedly made the request while national security adviser, regarding a story from journalist James Risen on the CIA, Ms. Abramson said. Ms. Rice was somewhat awkward during the ordeal, requesting a personal visit, Ms. Abramson said. She had a legal yellow notebook on her lap with lots of notes on it, and once I had taken a seat across from her, she barely looked up, she said during a 60 Minutes interview. She basically read in a very stern manner from her notes on this legal pad, which were just point after point about why this story would be damaging to the national security. I dont think I uttered much more than hello and I will think of what you said, Ms. … Continue reading →

Lindy Laird talks to Donna Collins, the Whangarei nurse who spent a month on the front line of the war against Ebola in Sierra Leone In a West African nation torn by a killer disease, Donna Collins found the very best in people. Ms Collins was one of a large team of international nurses and humanitarian aid specialists sent by New Zealand Red Cross to work for the International Federation of Red Cross at a purpose-built Ebola treatment centre near Kenema, Sierra Leone's third biggest city. She arrived back in Whangarei this week after spending three weeks in isolation to ensure she was not at risk of catching or spreading Ebola. Ms Collins, a midwife and women's health nurse at Whangarei Hospital, and Wellington nurse Sharon Mackie were the only Kiwis in the team responsible for setting up and operating The Red Cross Ebola Treatment Centre on land the size of two football fields, shaved out of jungle. About 18km out of Kenema, it was built in a matter of weeks as a "slow response" unit where every process is measured and planned, rather than "fighting fire with fire", where workers are bundled up in protective clothes and breathing gear. … Continue reading →

Pharmac is hailing its new funding deal for treating multiple sclerosis as the most significant change since the government agency started funding MS treatments 15 years ago. Pharmac estimates that New Zealand's 600 or so MS sufferers who receive funded treatment will grow by about 400 in coming years, with the change in criteria and improved choice of treatments. It funds treatment for a particular type of the neurological disease - relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. As well as funding two new medicines fingolimod (Gilenya) and natalizumab (Tysabri), Pharmac has also approved changes to the way MS treatments will be funded. From November 1 all treatments will be funded from first diagnosis. "Until now the beta interferons and glatiramer have been the only medicines funded for MS, and people have needed to show a level of disability before medicines were funded," Pharmac operations director Sarah Fitt said. "Evidence shows natalizumab and fingolimod are more effective than the currently funded MS treatments, and that they are most effective when used early in disease progression." She says the previously available beta interferons and glatiramer treatments will continue to be funded and also be available for people from first diagnosis. The MS funding changes are … Continue reading →

Funding for newer and more effective multiple sclerosis treatments has been approved by PHARMAC. About 600 people currently receive funded MS treatments. PHARMAC estimates this could grow by about 400 over the next few years, with the change in criteria and improved choice of treatments. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurological condition which leads to increasing levels of disability. Pharmaceutical treatments are funded for a particular type of MS, called relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. As well as funding two new medicines fingolimod (Gilenya) and natalizumab (Tysabri), PHARMAC has also approved changes to the way MS treatments will be funded. From 1 November all treatments will be funded from first diagnosis. Director of Operations Sarah Fitt says the changes are the most significant in more than 15 years, since MS treatments were first funded. "Until now the beta interferons and glatiramer have been the only medicines funded for MS, and people have needed to show a level of disability before medicines were funded. Evidence shows natalizumab and fingolimod are more effective than the currently funded MS treatments, and that they are most effective when used early in disease progression." she says. "So this decision really is a major step forward in … Continue reading →

New Zealanders who have multiple sclerosis (MS) have been offered hope with a decision announced today by drug-funding agency PHARMAC. It has decided to pay for two expensive drugs known to prevent the disease's debilitating symptoms. Mellanie Ullrich was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2006. She battled fatigue, numbness and tingling before funding her own treatment at a cost of $5000 a month. "It's massive in the fact that I am well, I am healthy. I haven't had any relapses since I've been on the medication," says Ms Ullrich. Now she and MS New Zealand have won the fight for PHARMAC to fund the drug so others can have the same benefits without the price tag. "It's a relief in the fact that it will be able to help so many people," says Ms Ullrich. "So many young women who were in my position who had small children and MS has the reputation of being a horrendous disease where you'll end up in a wheel chair." And until now PHARMAC would wait until those symptoms existed before funding treatment. MS New Zealand vice president Neil Woodham says if treatment is successful, sufferers will never become disabled or it will be … Continue reading →

Published: 2:42PM Friday October 10, 2014 Source: ONE News Source: ONE News An estimated 300,000 New Zealanders stand to benefit from new access to treatments or expanded treatment options as a result of a deal between a pharmaceutical company and Pharmac. The deal jointly announced by Pharmac and Novartis Pharmaceuticals this afternoon means New Zealanders will gain new access to the highest number of medicines and targeted treatment areas ever agreed in a single arrangement. The deal covers new access to nine treatments for diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cystic fibrosis, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. A further six products provide an expanded range of treatment options. Novartis' Country Group Manager, New Zealand, Tim Jones, says the treatments will give patients more options and in some cases make a vital difference to managing very serious conditions. Access to Gilenya for patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis will provide an oral treatment for the first time. It is an alternative treatment option for those who currently have injections to manage or prevent potentially crippling attacks that can leave them hospitalised or incapacitated for several days. Patients with COPD, now affecting 200,000 New Zealanders, will gain extra treatment … Continue reading →