7 treatments for multiple sclerosis

Treatment for multiple sclerosis involves medication to control symptoms, prevent attacks or delay their progression, as well as physical activity, occupational therapy or physiotherapy, especially in times of crisis, which are when symptoms reappear, in order to them to be eliminated.

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that has no cure, and which manifests itself through moments of relapse-remission, which means that the symptoms become more evident during periods known as crisis or outbreaks of the disease, which appear throughout the lifespan. lifetime, or due to disease progression.

The treatment of multiple sclerosis is carried out by a rheumatologist or neurologist, after a careful assessment of the symptoms and general state of health, and may indicate different treatments on an individual basis, as a way of preventing the progression of the disease and reducing symptoms in times of crisis.

Main treatments for multiple sclerosis

The main treatments for multiple sclerosis that may be recommended by your doctor are:

1. Remedies for crises

Treatment with medication for multiple sclerosis attacks is done with pulse therapy, which is the administration of methylprednisolone, which is a corticosteroid, directly into the vein, for short periods of time, generally for 3 to 5 days.

After using methylprednisolone, the doctor may recommend the use of prednisone, which is another type of corticosteroid, orally for 3 to 5 days.

This treatment helps to reduce inflammation of the nerves, which helps to reduce the intensity and duration of attacks and alleviate symptoms such as partial loss of vision, decreased strength or coordination.

However, it must be done for short periods because corticosteroids can cause many side effects such as insomnia, increased blood pressure, increased blood glucose levels, mood changes and fluid retention. See other side effects of corticosteroids.

2. Medicines to control the immune system

Medications to help control the immune system prevent the immune system from attacking nerve cells, helping to reduce the return of symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

The main remedies to help control the immune system are:

• Interferon beta;
• Fingolimode;
• Alentuzumab;
• Natalizumabe;
• Glatiramer acetate;
• Dimethyl fumarate;
• Azatioprina;
• Cyclophosphamide;
• Teriflunomide.

These medicines can be provided by the SUS, as long as there is a medical indication and prescription.

However, there are other medications that are not available through the SUS, and these include cladribine, laquinimod and ocrelizumab, for example.

3. Medicines to control symptoms

Treatments to control the symptoms of multiple sclerosis include muscle relaxants, analgesics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, medications for fatigue, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, insomnia or difficulty controlling bowel movements, for example.

These medications must be indicated by the doctor on an individual basis according to the symptoms that each person presents.

4. Motor physiotherapy

Motor physiotherapy is generally recommended to prevent muscle retractions, combat numbness, reduce pain, strengthen muscles and train activities of daily living such as walking, brushing your teeth and combing your hair, for example.

Physiotherapy exercises aim to strengthen muscles, improve balance and motor coordination, and are indicated when symptoms worsen, such as difficulty moving arms and legs, lack of motor coordination, muscle weakness or spasticity.

In addition to physiotherapy, other treatments that can help control symptoms, keep the person active and prevent the disease from progressing include psychological and neuropsychological treatment, practicing art therapy, speech therapy or occupational therapy, for example.

5. Respiratory physiotherapy

Respiratory physiotherapy is usually more indicated at a more advanced stage of the disease when the respiratory system is compromised.

In this type of physiotherapeutic treatment, small devices such as a flutter can be used, for example, capable of strengthening the respiratory muscles and loosening phlegm.

Furthermore, breathing exercises are also very important to facilitate breathing and make it more efficient, reducing the risk of suffocation.

6. Practice physical activity

Staying active and doing physical activity regularly helps prevent the progression of the disease or prevent the rapid onset of symptoms.

Some exercises that may be recommended by your doctor are:

• Walk;
• Slow run, trot type;
• To go by bicycle;
• Do localized gymnastics;
• Practice yoga, pilates, especially clinical pilates;
• Water aerobics or swimming.

These exercises should be performed in a calm, peaceful environment and at a pleasant temperature, because heat promotes sweating, which can worsen the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

Therefore, you must be careful not to keep your heart rate too high, and not to raise your body temperature during physical activity.

If during physical activity the person feels breathless, they should stop the exercise immediately and breathe deeply and calmly. The same is recommended if you feel your heart beating fast, short of breath, tired or sweating a lot.

7. Stem cell transplant

Autologous stem cell transplantation is performed by removing stem cells from the person themselves, who must undergo treatment with high doses of immunosuppressant medications to inactivate the immune system, before receiving the stem cells back.

This type of treatment allows you to “reset” the immune system, which is responsible for damaging the brain and spinal cord in multiple sclerosis.

This type of treatment can be carried out in cases of severe and difficult to treat multiple sclerosis, but it is not a treatment that cures the disease, in addition to being extremely delicate, and must be carried out in centers specialized in stem cell transplantation. Find out how stem cell treatment works.

Natural Treatment Options

There are natural treatment options for multiple sclerosis, such as a balanced diet that helps alleviate symptoms of constipation, for example, increasing the consumption of foods rich in vitamin D or undergoing therapies, such as acupuncture or acupressure.

However, these natural treatments do not replace the treatment recommended by your doctor, they only complement it.

In addition, high doses of vitamin D may also be indicated as a remedy against multiple sclerosis, as some studies indicate that high levels of vitamin D can help reduce the risk of attacks, reduce disease activity and the risk of developing multiple sclerosis. multiple sclerosis. Find out more about this type of Vitamin D treatment.

Signs of improvement

Signs of improvement in multiple sclerosis appear when the person undergoes treatment in accordance with the doctor’s instructions, and include a decrease in the intensity of symptoms, a decrease in fatigue and recovery of coordination and muscle strength, allowing daily activities to be carried out better.

This improvement can happen after starting appropriate treatment, but the time needed to find relief from symptoms is very individual, as it varies from person to person.

Signs of worsening

When treatment is started late or is not carried out properly, signs of worsening multiple sclerosis may appear, including vision loss, paralysis, memory loss or incontinence.

In times of worsening, available treatments must be intensified, but this is no guarantee that symptoms can be fully controlled. In any case, physiotherapy is a great help to improve quality of life.

Possible complications

The main complications of multiple sclerosis are:

• Reduced mobility;
• Brain injuries, which can lead to double vision;
• Chronic vertigo;
• Difficulty swallowing;
• Frequent urinary infections, due to a change in bladder function;
• Chronic constipation;
• Erectile dysfunction in men;
• Mood disorders;
• Generalized fatigue,
• Cognitive problems, such as forgetfulness or memory loss.

In advanced stages of the disease, respiratory complications may also arise, which can often be fatal, due to impairment of the respiratory muscles.

Furthermore, the accumulation of secretions in the lungs can cause diseases such as aspiration pneumonia, atelectasis or respiratory failure.