Multiple Sclerosis - Drug Treatment

Lifestyle Changes

People with multiple sclerosis should make every effort to preserve their general health. A healthy diet, sufficient rest, establishing priorities to conserve energy, and developing emotional support networks can all be very helpful.

Rehabilitation Therapies

Patients with MS can benefit from various rehabilitation services to help them cope with the physical and emotional symptoms of their condition.

Physical Therapy. Physical therapists can provide professional guidance on exercise programs. Patients with MS should engage in a variety of exercises including stretching, muscle strengthening, and range-of-motion. Exercise can help reduce fatigue and relieve muscle spasticity. Physical therapists can also provide advice on how to best use mobility aids (canes, crutches, scooters) and other assistive devices.

---

---

Occupational Therapy. Occupational therapists help patients learn how to improve their functioning and independence within their home and workplace environments. They can provide professional advice on what sort of adaptive tools, such as grab bars, should be used in the bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen. Occupational therapists may also be able to evaluate and treat problems with thinking and memory.

Vocational Therapy. Vocational therapists provide guidance on how patients can best manage in the workplace.

Speech/Language Therapy. Speech/language therapists treat problems with speech and communication, and can also help address problems with swallowing.

Psychological Therapies. Psychotherapy can help patients and their families cope with a difficult and chronic disease.

Dietary Factors

Some dietary suggestions for patients with MS include:

• Drink 2 quarts of water a day. Drinking water helps avoid constipation (although it may cause difficulties in patients who also have urge incontinence).
• Eat a diet rich in fiber, particularly from whole grains (especially bran, oats, or flax), fruits (particularly prunes), and vegetables.
• Low-fat diets have not proven to have much effect on MS but are, in any case, generally healthy.
• Omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish and fish oil supplements, have been associated with protection against inflammation and some reduction in symptoms in people with various autoimmune conditions. Such fatty acids are also available in supplements as docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids. Standards for optimal amounts and forms of omega-3 fatty acids have not yet been established, however. Some doctors recommend that people with MS eat three fish meals a week.