Health Tip: Living With MS

Ways to help control the disease

Related Encyclopedia • Acoustic Neurinoma • Bell's Palsy • Brain and Spinal Cord Magnetic Resonance Imaging • Brain Tumors More... Related Healthscout Videos New Drugs That Could Stop MS New Therapy for Stroke Patients Mapping the Brain      Hope for MS More... Related Drug Information • Adderal XR • Concerta • Coumadin • Depakote More... Related News Articles • Protein in Spinal Fluid May Contribute to MS: Study • Overeating Can Throw Off Metabolism • Link Between Vaccine and MS Unproven • Blood Thinner Linked to Increased Brain Bleeding More...

(HealthDay News) - Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, causing nerve damage that tends to worsen over time.

Text Continues Below

---

There is no cure for MS. But here's information about treatment options that may help alleviate symptoms, provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• Drugs to help control the immune system, including interferons (Avonex, Betaseron or Rebif), monoclonal antibodies (Tysabri), and glatiramer acetate (Copaxone).
• Steroids to minimize damage caused when the immune system attacks the nervous system.
• Medications to decrease the incidence of muscle spasms.
• Antidepressants.
• Physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy.
• A regular exercise program, especially when begun just after diagnosis.

-- Diana Kohnle