Battling Multiple Sclerosis

By: James Hunt

Multiple Sclerosis, also known more simply as MS, is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system. It has been found to affect more young adults during their most productive years. Doctors have found many factors that contribute to the onset of Multiple Sclerosis. These etiologies range from viral and autoimmune etiologies as well as genetic factors that are said to contribute to the disease. However, no specific cause of MS has been found.

MS is characterized by the presence of areas of demyelination and T-cell predominant perivascular inflammation in the brain white matter. The disease usually begins wit the presence of acute or sub acute neurological abnormalities. These abnormalities vary in severity from person to person. In some people they may take years to present themselves while in other people they appear at a rapid rate. Most usually last for years.

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By Jennifer Jordan

Yoga is known to improve health overall, with every aspect of it enhancing something, mind, body, or spirit. But, overall health aside, yoga is becoming known to be particularly helpful for relief from specific diseases. One of these diseases, Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is a bit of a medical enigma, with no concrete causes and no concrete cure.

The course of MS is unpredictable. The four categories used to classify the clinical course in a person with MS are: Relapsing - remitting, Primary-progressive, Secondary-progressive, and Progressive-relapsing. In the absence of a resolution, several treatment options must step in to relieve the burden MS places on so many lives. Physical activity is extremely important for individuals with MS, and yoga is now recognized as an excellent means of MS management.

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I have been posting around the week of the 10th of each month a “THANK-YOU” post, like this one, to all the advertisers from the previous month listed as at month end. That’s a permanent link in this blog, under the category heading which I call .. “Sponsor Appreciation”. I know it’s hard out there trying to figure out where to spend your advertising dollars .. and well .. THANKS for considering the Battling Multiple Sclerosis Blog.

I have compiled a new advertising page for the HART-Empire Network of sites for your perusal.

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By Linda Boughman

Multiple Sclerosis (MS), now that is an interesting word. It means, “many scars”, hardened patches of scar tissue. Hardened patches found in the brain and on the spinal chord. This sounds serious doesn’t it? It is serious. It results in a disease affecting the central nervous system. The brain, spinal chord and nerve bundles are affected causing abnormal nerve transmission. An affected central nervous system experiences something like the crossing of electrical wires causing reception, interpretation and transmission of the nerve impulses to be disrupted. Disrupted connections occur in various places along the lengthy nerve bundles as a result of damaged myelin sheaths, the wrapping found around nerve fibers that acts likes the insulation found around electrical wires that keep them from sparking. The disruption in transmission results in miscommunication among groups of nerve cells resulting in unfamiliar and unpredictable physical responses, reactions and sensations in the body.

A person who is first experiencing MS symptoms is constantly nagged by questions like: What is this numbness? What is this tingle? What is wrong with my eye? Why do I feel weak? What is wrong with my body? Responses to the diagnosis can be mind jolting or even a relief. When the diagnosis is not the feared terminal or life- threatening disease expected the seriousness of the actual diagnosis of MS might be minimized. “It is not the best news to hear, but it’s not the worst and there is treatment that help; the tests show it is MS” the doctor might say. Relief may set in then if one feared a brain tumor or some other perceived terminal condition. Treatment is available and death is not imminent. Good words to hear! We may know of people who have MS and they lived with it for years. When the diagnosis is not what was feared, it is possible to dismiss words that should be heard.

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By Michael Russell

Everyday of the year people are popping into their chiropractor’s office for a realignment of a neck or back. Because of our busy and stressful lives, necks and backs will continue to need care. It’s turned into a booming global career opportunity and business for chiropractors over the last 20 years and is still growing. People of all ages ranging from infants to the elderly have received so much relief from realignment that they’d sooner give up a café, latte’ or cup of ‘joe’ than a much needed back or neck adjustment. Now a growing number of people with Multiple Sclerosis have been receiving gradual to complete relief of symptoms with NUCCA (National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association). This new avenue of treatment adds to the growing stack of confusing facts and hypotheses about Multiple Sclerosis, its cause, diagnosis and treatment.

Many doctors worldwide would agree and admit that Multiple Sclerosis is one the top problem-child diseases that continually haunts and challenges them. Because Multiple Sclerosis can and often does mimic various other diseases, it is not only difficult to diagnose but is almost near to impossible to treat as well. This mimicking, strong-willed problem child called “Multiple Sclerosis” that seems to continually defy medical common sense has led well-noted scientists, physicians, nurses and sometimes patients to approach the disease from many different avenues in search of answers and symptom relief. One such avenue is a realignment of the upper cervical spine. It’s called Upper Cervical Care or the NUCCA Technique. This avenue of thought is based on some studies that show that previous accidents that involved some type of trauma to the spine; usually some long forgotten about injury minor or serious thereby causing a compressing of the brain stem and most often causing a misalignment of the spine are related to Multiple Sclerosis. Information like this is vital and not to be dismissed because the brainstem is very involved in the proper functioning of the central nervous system which is instrumental in carrying messages and signals throughout the central nervous system. Malfunctioning errors of this kind is a major face of Multiple Sclerosis symptoms.

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By Michael Russell

The idea of a retreat usually brings up images of relaxation, spiritual reflection and a getting away from the usual day-to-day life with its hustle and bustle stress. We most commonly are used to churches, businesses and large organizations having retreats with the intended purpose and goal of refocusing and a quest for new vision. It all boils down to “we’re stuck in the mud”, “a rut” or a cycle of unproductive thinking”. Although most would agree that retreats are great, adding that everyone should go on at least one in a lifetime, it would most likely wind up at the bottom of the list when it came to recommendations of helpful things for those who have Multiple Sclerosis.

Yet this is exactly what is now being prescribed for those who have been recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and even for those who have had MS for a longer period of time. It would surprise some to know that retreats specifically tailored for those living with Multiple Sclerosis as well as other illnesses are increasing around the world because of the benefits being seen in patients across the board including a feeling of well-being, regained control of symptoms, self-esteem, comradeship, emotional support and acknowledgment.

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By Michael Russell

Fatigue is probably one of the most complained about Multiple Sclerosis symptoms. We’re not talking about some ordinary fatigue here; but fatigue that incapacitates you physically, mentally, psychologically and emotionally as well. As if having Multiple Sclerosis wasn’t depressing enough, the degree to which your already low reserve of energy and strength is sapped is sufficient to halt any and all activities and often does.

Did you have a plan to do this or that? Well guess what? There’s a very good chance it may not happen. At least not when you had originally planned. Of course, if you’re the one with Multiple Sclerosis, we’re preaching to the choir here. You already know how it can profoundly affect your daily activities, but you should also be encouraged to know that you can do something about it. If you want to counteract the way fatigue impacts your daily life, read on.

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By Groshan Fabiola

Studies have shown that multiple sclerosis is very hard on people affecting some 2 in every 1000 persons. Even more problematic is the fact that some 50 % of these people are left unable to walk after some 15 from the onset of the disorder. A total cure has not yet been developed but scientists and doctors are working on treatments that will at least slow down the action of the disease. The good thing is that they really are starting to understand how the disorder works and the way it affects people, plus a new kind of monitor treatment is being developed as we speak. The bases for some new treatments have this way been developed; they include the using of disease modifying drugs that will have quite a remarkable impact on the natural course of the disease, significantly slowing it down.

Still some of these drugs are yet to be approved and clinical test are still in progress to really understand if the drugs are working and what the side effects would be. Scientist and doctors from all over the world gather more and more often to discuss their new findings and believes regarding multiple sclerosis. Because of all this effort put into defeating this disease a lot of progress has been made.

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