What Is MS? by Sarah Bullock

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). MS can cause a variety of symptoms, including changes in sensation, visual problems, muscle weakness, depression, difficulties with coordination and speech. MS will cause impaired mobility and disability in more severe cases.

MS is the most common disabling neurological disease among young adults and affects around 85,000 people in the UK . MS is most often diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 40 and women are almost twice as likely to develop it as men.

There are four main varieties of MS (although some also have sub groups) as defined in an international survey of neurologists [Lubin and Reingold, 1996]

Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS): Characterised by relapses during which time new symptoms can appear and old ones can resurface.

Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS): After a number of years many people who have had relapsing/remitting MS will pass into a secondary progressive phase of the disease. Characterised by a gradual worsening of the disease between relapses.

Progressive Relapsing MS (PRMS): A progressive course from onset, punctuated by relapses. There is significant recovery immediately following a relapse but between relapses there is a gradual worsening of symptoms.

Primary Progressive MS (PPMS): This type of MS is characterised by a gradual progression of the disease from its onset with no remissions at all.

What happens in MS?

As MS is an autoimmune condition it means that your immune system, which normally helps to fight off infections, mistakes your body’s own tissue for a foreign body, such as infectious bacteria, and attacks it. In MS, the immune system attacks myelin, leaving scars known as lesions. Myelin acts as an insulator to the nerve fibres of the CNS; it is this which helps messages travel quickly and smoothly between the brain and the rest of the body. (www.mssociety.org.uk)

The simplest way to understand what happens in MS is to think of your CNS as an electrical circuit, with your brain and spinal cord acting as the power source and the rest of your body being the lights, computers, TVs, etc. Your nerves are like the electrical cables linking all of the appliances together and the myelin is the plastic insulation surrounding these cables. If the insulation gets damaged, the electrical current to appliances can become faulty or temperamental and there may be a short circuit, preventing the appliances from working properly.

What causes MS?

Although it is not known why people develop MS there are different factors that are linked to MS these can include:

• Genetic factors - MS is not considered a hereditary disease. However, increasing scientific evidence suggests that genetics may play a role in determining a person's susceptibility to MS.
• Environmental factors – a common belief is that a viral infection primes a susceptible immune system for an abnormal reaction later in life.

More controversial ideas include:

• Childhood vaccinations: (see: Vaccines: Are They Really Safe and Effective? By N.Z. Miller, Vaccination Bible by Lynne McTaggart)
• Amalgam fillings
• Stress

How can I help my MS?

There are varying factors that can help you manage your MS these include:

Conventional Medicine:
There are four MS modifying drugs licensed in the UK:

• Avonex and Rebif (both beta interferon 1a)
• Betaferon (beta interferon 1b)
• Copaxone (glatiramer acetate)

Your MS specialist will help you decide which one is best for you.

Diet, Nutrition and Exercise:
Research and studies show increasingly that nutrition and supplementation can help your MS symptoms dramatically. Ways you can help yourself include:

• Identify allergy foods
• Reduce processed foods/sugar
• Give up smoking! (Smoking causes deterioration to myelin)
• Reduce stimulants i.e. caffeine and alcohol
• Increase Omegas in your diet these help to protect the myelin sheath

It is important to keep active. Exercise that encourages improving balance and strengthening the pelvic floor muscles (the muscles that control the bladder) are especially important – find a local Pilates or yoga class that can help you.

Complementary therapies:
Many people with MS take an active interest in their health and include some form of complementary therapies in their treatments these can include: kinesiology, counselling, massage, acupuncture and nutrition. These can help look at not only the physical but also the emotional aspects of dealing with MS.

Contact details and sites full of information, photographs and helpful various organisations:

· The Milton Keynes MS Branch: can be contacted on 01908 239151 or email
· The MS Society: www.mssociety.org.uk or call 0808 800 8000
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_sclerosis
· MS International Federation
· MS Trust
· The MS Resource Centre: offer a 24 Hour Telephone Counselling Service 0800 783 0518 (then press 1)
· Biolab: contact details for Doctors specialising in nutrition and environmental medicine:
· Information on amalgams
· MS Diet
· Pilates
· Yoga

ALWAYS seek advice from your medical practitioner.

Copyright 2007 Sarah Bullocks, Healing Approach