While there is no cure for MS (multiple sclerosis), there are some studies that suggest early, aggressive treatment should begin at the earliest signs of the disease for many patients.
One study found that patients who began treatment at the first signs of disease were 34.5% less likely to have a recurrent attack, and the annual risk of relapse was reduced by about 19%.
MS Treatments
- Treatment for multiple sclerosis depends on the type.
- Treatment for MS attacks includes steroids to reduce inflammation.
Disease-modifying therapy medications can help reduce flares and can help slow down progressive MS:
- Injectable medications
- Interferon beta-1a (Avonex, Rebif)
- Interferon beta-1b (Betaseron, Extavia)
- Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone, Glatopa)
- Ofatumumab (Kesimpta)
- Peginterferon beta-1a (Plegridy)
- Oral medications
- Teriflunomide (Aubagio)
- Monomethyl fumarate (Bafiertam)
- Fingolimod (Gilenya)
- Cladribine (Mavenclad)
- Siponimod (Mayzent)
- Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera)
- Diroximel fumarate (Vumerity)
- Ozanimod (Zeposia)
- Infused medications
- Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada)
- Mitoxantrone (Novantrone)
- Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus)
- Natalizumab (Tysabri)
Additional medications are sometimes used to treat specific symptoms of MS, such as:
- Antibiotics for infections
- Central nervous system stimulants for fatigue
- Bladder and bowel medications for bladder and bowel dysfunction
- Antidepressants for depression and mood changes
- Antidepressants and anti-seizure medications for nerve pain
- Antihistamines for itching
- Erectile dysfunction medicines for sexual dysfunction
- Muscle relaxants, benzodiazepines, and onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) for muscle spasticity
- Medicines for dizziness and vertigo
- Medicines to treat tremors
- Potassium channel blockers to treat difficulty walking
What Is MS?
MS is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks and damages the myelin sheaths that surround nerve cells, disrupting their connections in the brain and spinal cord and resulting in a range of symptoms.
There are several types of multiple sclerosis:
- Relapsing-remitting
- The most common type of MS
- Symptoms come and go
- When symptoms flare up, it is called an attack or relapse that can last days to weeks
- In between attacks, people may feel normal
- Secondary progressive
- Symptoms come and go at first but eventually worsen
- Primary progressive
- Symptoms steadily worsen from the onset
- Progressive relapsing
- Symptoms steadily worsen, along with attacks that come and go
What Are Symptoms of MS?
Symptoms of MS (multiple sclerosis) can be mild, moderate, or severe and may include:
- Numbness, tingling, “pins and needles” feeling
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness or spasms
- Vision problems
- Eye pain
- Unusual eye movements
- Dizziness
- Spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Loss of balance/falls
- Loss of coordination
- Difficulty walking or speaking
- Bowel or bladder problems
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sensitivity to heat (may worsen symptoms)
- Trouble thinking clearly
- Memory problems
- Mood swings
Children may have seizures and extreme fatigue along with any/all of the above symptoms.
How Is MS Diagnosed?
If MS (multiple sclerosis) is suspected, tests used to confirm the diagnosis may include:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
- Evoked potentials (or evoked responses)
- Optical coherence tomography
- Blood tests to rule out other conditions that can cause symptoms similar to MS
Sometimes nerve damage may be detected, but MS is not diagnosed at first. In many cases, MS is only diagnosed after observing symptoms and comparing test results over time.
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https://www.uptodate.com/contents/multiple-sclerosis-in-adults-the-basics?search=Multiple%20Sclerosis&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/
https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/research-on-early-treatment-for-ms/