How To Treat Demyelinating Diseases

How to treat Demyelinating diseases

Introduction:

Demyelinating diseases are the diseases that are characterized by the damaging of the myelin sheaths which cover the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. The myelin sheath acts as an electrical stimulator that ensures that the impulses move quickly down the nerves. This movement of the impulse stops or slows down when the nerve are demyelinated. Demyelinating diseases leads to the inflammation of the sheath and the nerves it surrounds. This can result to scarring which in turn decelerates or stops the hearts signals that control the muscle coordination, imagination and power. Demyelinating diseases should be recognized early so that the necessary preventive measures can be adopted to prevent excessive damage. The following are ways in which Demyelinating diseases are treated and controlled.

 

Step 1

Use of drugs:

There various drugs that are used to prevent the Demyelinating diseases from advancing at a fast rate. These drugs include; Interferons, Copaxone, Novantrone and Tysabri. Interferons is administered on a daily basis or once a week. A missed interferons dose can result to flu like symptoms. Copaxone is also administered daily and has no major side effects if missed. Novantrone has serious side effects on the Demyelinating diseases patient and is therefore administered to severe patients and patients whose conditions are deteriorating. Tysabri is used under strictly controlled and monitored programs. All this drugs are used to prevent relapses and to slow the advancing of Demyelinating diseases, to reduce the effects of the attacks, to manage the symptoms and modify the course of the disease.

Step 2

Physical and exercise therapy:

Mobility problems that result from the Demyelinating diseases can be improved through maintaining a good and healthy weight through exercise. Physical therapy helps to improve the problems of muscle weakness and spasticity while others tend to reduce the stress of the patient. However, every patent should consult their doctor on the best type of exercise that caters for their needs without causing complications.

 

Step 3

Eating a healthy diet:

Eating a healthy diet that boosts the immune system helps a long way in fighting the Demyelinating diseases. Consulting a doctor about the best diet for a patient is very essential as there may be particular foods that the patient should avoid.  The Demyelinating diseases patient should take plenty fluids, vitamin C, food rich in fiber and cranberry juice. Taking food supplements of linoleic acid help so much to improve the Demyelinating diseases symptoms.

Step 4

Massage therapy and acupuncture:

Massage will help to relax the body, reduce stress and depression which tend to trigger Demyelinating diseases. Acupuncture on the other hand provides relief from pain, bladder control complications and muscle spasms. However, before undertaking the acupuncture, a doctor should be consulted as it is also a very risky thing to do.

Step 5

Use of steroids:

Steroids are believed to reduce the severity and duration of attacks that result from Demyelinating diseases. Steroids are mainly used for the attacks that tend to affect a person's ability to do the normal daily tasks. A dose of steroids is administered depending on the physical appearance of the patient and the severity of the disease.

Symptoms of Demyelinating diseases

The symptoms of Demyelinating diseases depend on the location of the disease and the severity of the same. The following are the main and common symptoms of Demyelinating diseases.

• Unexplained headaches
• Muscle weakness
• Paralysis
• Difficulty in balancing and walking
• Vision and hearing complications
• Bladder complications
• Confusion
• Speech difficulty
• Numbness and tingling effects
• Pain in the affected area
• Loss of sensation

 

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