What Is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is the most common disease affecting the functioning of the central nervous system. For reasons still not well understood, it appears that the immune system attacks the protective covering of the central nervous system called myelin. The resulting damage, referred to as a lesion, disrupts the flow of messages through the central nervous system causing symptoms. One of the unique characteristics of multiple sclerosis is that the lesions can heal causing a hardened area. This hardened area, referred to as “sclera” or scarring, can seal the damaged area so that the neurological messages can flow again, improving the symptoms. At some point new lesions or further damage in an old lesion may occur, starting the cycle over again. Over a period of time many scars can develop. Thus the name of the disease, multiple sclerosis, means “many scars”.
 
Multiple sclerosis is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50 and affects approximately two to three times more women than men. It is a chronic, progressive illness causing a variety of symptoms which can include vision difficulty, walking problems, bladder and bowel dysfunction, neurological fatigue, and problems with cognitive functioning such as difficulty with memory and judgment. The lesion and scarring process causes an unpredictable coming and going pattern in the symptoms. Between flair-ups of symptoms, referred to as an exacerbation, there can be periods when the disease process stabilizes, which is referred to as a remission. Symptoms may vary from day to day in the same person and from one person to the next. Over a person’s lifetime the accumulation of damage to the central nervous system can result in increasing symptoms and disability. 
 
Medical Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis 
At this time there is no cure for multiple sclerosis. Treatments of multiple sclerosis are customized to each person due to the variations in symptoms and disease progression. Medications may be changed over time as the disease changes. Current medications prescribed to treat multiple sclerosis fall into three categories. 

• Symptom management - These medications are prescribed to treat symptoms such as reducing muscle spasticity or improving bladder function.
• Treating exacerbations - Steroids are reserved for treating flair-ups of symptoms which are determined by a physician to be caused by renewed disease activity. Steroids administered by I.V. are prescribed for a short period of time, generally three to five days, often followed by a tapering dose of oral steroids.
• Stopping disease progression - The newest “family” of medications, disease modifying drugs, are designed to prevent progression of the disease.  At this time these medications are administered by injection. Exacerbations can still occur while taking a disease modifying drug, but these flair-ups tend to be less frequent and less severe. The damage to the central nervous system prevented by these medications can mean fewer and less severe symptoms.
   

In some circumstances medications which quiet the immune system are given to prevent further damage to the central nervous system, particularly when disease modifying drugs alone are not effective or are not well tolerated because of side effects.

• Physical therapy is prescribed for a variety of reasons such to rebuilding strength, enhancing flexibility, and improving balance. Physical therapists can also determine the need for the use of medical equipment such as a cane, walker or wheelchair and provide instruction about how to use the equipment safely.
• Occupational therapy is prescribed to evaluate a person’s environment to determine how it might be modified to accommodate physical limitations.
• Speech therapy is prescribed when a person is experiencing speech or swallowing problems. Speech therapists can also help people develop techniques to adapt to memory problems.
• Counseling can help people make emotional adjusts and develop the confidence to deal with a life affected by chronic illness.

 
Quality of Life
Living a life of quality despite multiple sclerosis is influenced by the choices and lifestyle of each person. The techniques which have been determined to maintain health in a person without illness also apply to people who have multiple sclerosis.

• There is no diet which has been found to be of benefit specifically for people who have multiple sclerosis. Eating a healthy, balanced diet can promote good overall health for everyone, including people who have multiple sclerosis.
• No matter how severe the symptoms, people with multiple sclerosis benefit from exercise. Not only does regular exercise help maintain muscle strength and flexibility, it can also contribute to good mental health. Yoga and swimming are two types of exercise which have been found to be beneficial for people who have multiple sclerosis. Even people with severe symptoms can benefit from passive movement or “range of motion” exercises.
• Regular socialization helps people maintain a positive outlook as well as providing the mental stimulation which can combat cognitive problems.