About this topic
The nervous system is made up of nerves, the spinal cord, and the brain. The nerves in your body use your senses of hearing, sight, taste, smell, and touch to send messages to the brain. Your brain reads that message. Then it sends a return message down through the nerves back to the body. This tells your body how to react. For example, if you touch a hot pan, your nerves sense the heat and send a message to your brain. Your brain reads the message and sends a return message to your muscles to let go of the hot pan. This exchange of information happens very quickly. ‚
Multiple sclerosis is an illness that is also called MS. With this disease, your body attacks the outside lining of the nerves called the myelin sheath. When this outer lining is harmed, the messages being sent in the nerves do not travel as fast. At times, the message is fully blocked. Doctors do not know why this happens. At this time, there is no cure. ‚
The effects of MS vary in each person. Some people get sicker very quickly. Others stay just as they were when they were first diagnosed. Some people may seem to have times where they get sicker followed by times where they feel better. Doctors are not able to predict how you will be affected by MS. ‚
Treatment is used to control the signs of MS. This treatment may include drugs and physical therapy. Not treating this disease will often result in progressive disability. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- You may need help with walking and balance.
- Your doctor may give you crutches, walking canes, or foot braces to help with walking problems. You may need a walker or, at some point, a wheelchair.
- You may have problems with bladder control. Clear the hallway going to the restroom. This will prevent you from accidentally bumping into things or slipping when in a rush to go to the bathroom.
- Sit in a comfortable chair that can support your back. This may also help with balance problems when sitting.
- You may need help with communication and staying safe.
- Keep a pen and paper or any communication tools near you always. These will help you talk if you have speech problems.
- You may have problems doing simple movements like eating and writing. Ask your doctor or therapist for special knives and forks that may help with eating. There are also special tools to make writing easier.
- Stay away from hot baths and showers if you have problems with heat. Cool down by taking cool baths or lowering the thermostat.
- Keep throw rugs, easy to break house displays, and cutting tools in a safe cabinet to avoid mishaps.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your condition needs close monitoring. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor will tell you if other tests are needed.
- Your doctor may send you to other doctors to help watch your illness.
- You may need to see a physical therapist (PT). The PT will teach you exercises to help you get back your strength and motion.
- You may also need to see an occupational therapist (OT). The OT will help you with activities of daily living.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Treat MS
- Control nerve swelling
- Help with pain
- Control the effects of MS drugs like upset belly, bladder infections, loose stools, belly pain, and low mood
Will physical activity be limited?
- Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities. Give your body enough time to get better after your therapy.
- Your doctor will tell you to do light exercises, like stretching, each morning. This will build muscle strength and tone and will prevent stiffness.
- You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
What changes to diet are needed?
Ask your doctor if you need to follow a special diet. You may need to take extra care with foods that may make you choke. A speech therapist may be able to help with this. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Illness can return or get worse
- Problems with eyesight or memory
- Weakness
- Seizures
- Long-lasting problems with movement
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Problems seeing like blurriness or double vision
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Muscle weakness or shakiness
- Problems with coordination and balance
- Numbness or tingling on one side or the bottom half of your body
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
- Join a support group that can help you cope with your illness.
- Let your family and friends know about your disease and how they can help. Bring a friend or family member with you to your therapy sessions.
- Water therapy programs can be helpful with exercising.
- Complimentary therapies such as massage, yoga, and eating a balanced diet can help signs.
- Talk to your doctor about getting a flu shot.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you ways to help with walking and balance.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have more muscle weakness.
Where can I learn more?
Multiple Sclerosis Society ‚
http://www.mssociety.org.uk/what-is-ms ‚
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ‚
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/multiple_sclerosis/multiple_sclerosis.htm ‚
National Multiple Sclerosis Society ‚
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/index.aspx ‚
National Organization for Rare Disorders ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/15/viewAbstract ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚