How Does Stress Affect MS?

Stress Less it's For the Best

When people think of leading killers they think of diseases that are big in the news and talked about a lot, like heart disease and cancer. Have you ever thought about one of the major things that lead to these? STRESS. Don’t we all love that word? We hear it every day from loved ones, co-workers, doctors, friends, etc. Many people actually struggle with reducing stress in their systems. People throw around the word not knowing that it really does affect their health in many ways, especially people with Multiple Sclerosis.

It is not uncommon to be stressed trying to live a daily life with a chronic disease that is so unpredictable. Stress can leave someone feeling anxious, tired, and worn down. However, I bet you didn’t know that it could cause a change in the course of your MS disease. Researchers at a northern university were curious if stress, good or bad, could lead to an increase in brain lesions in patients with MS. They decided to conduct a study and give half of their patient’s stress management therapy, and the other half nothing for four years. Every month they were interviewed about daily life events that could stressful, and cause depression symptoms. They were also asked to classify whether stressful events were positive or negative. Negative stressors included threatening events, such as a death in the family or loved one cheating. Positive events could be a baby being born, or a birthday party to plan. One thing in common, all of these events caused stress to their bodies. Researchers found that negative stress can trigger development of new lesions, but they also found the positive stress can reduce someone’s risk for lesions.

 Stress is involved in most people’s every day life. The important thing is to know how to deal with the stressful events thrown in your path. You can’t avoid these events, but you can definitely find ways to help deal with them. Here are a few tips:

• ·      Dealing with a party or big event? Give some of the stressful tasks to others
• ·      Take a break from friendships that may be detrimental to your health
• ·      Avoid high-stress events, and learn to balance daily activities
• ·      Don’t try to be everywhere at once, you can say no. Live for yourself and your health.
• ·      Find time to get away from everything, including electronic devices.
• ·      Realize that you are doing the best you can, and that is beyond good enough.
• ·      Make sure to EXERCISE, EAT HEALTHY, and BE HAPPY!

  Citations:

  "Study Shows That Stress Can Lead to MS Flare-Ups." Healthlines RSS News. Healthline Media. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.

  

Medications and Treatments

Medications and Treatments

When it comes to treatment dealing with MS there are multiple questions. Will the medication work for me? Are there side effects? How do these drugs work? Doctors are extremely knowledgeable about the best treatment and medications to help with the pain and symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. A number of medications have been shown to slow down MS progression. These types of drugs are called disease-modifying drugs. Some of these drugs include:

·      Aubagio (Terifumonide)

·      Avonex

·      Betaseron

·      Copaxone

·      Gilenya

·      Novantrone

·      Rebif

·      Tecfidera

All of these drugs work by suppressing or changing the way the immune system reacts to activities in the body. These drugs do not cure Multiple Sclerosis, however the decrease the frequency and severity of attacks and lesions on the brain. They also decrease the risk of future disability because they slow down the progression of Multiple Sclerosis. These medications are very important because they help to increase quality of life for MS patients. Physicians usually recommend starting these drugs right away, and are very good at distinguishing which drug is right for each patient. The most important goal is to find a drug that suits your lifestyle, and that you feel comfortable using consistently.

Multiple Sclerosis relapses can be reduced without medications, but it will definitely take time. Corticosteroids are recommended for severe relapses that may involve loss of vision, dizziness, loss of balance, and severe weakness. The most common treatment regimen is a three to five day course involving a high dosage of corticosteroids that will reduce inflammation and end the relapse sooner. It is important to consult with a doctor and inform them of allergies, or former medicines that you may be immune to. By doing this you are helping yourself and reducing symptoms of MS.

Citations:

 "Drugs to Slow Progression of MS (Multiple Sclerosis)." WebMD. WebMD. Web. 23 Mar. 2016. <http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/guide/ms-drug-treatments>.

"Medications." National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Web. 23 Mar. 2016. <http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Treating-MS/Medications>. 

Advice for dietary habits and Foods to Avoid

When one has a chronic illness they don’t really think about what foods to avoid; they mostly think well it is a chronic illness nothing is going to change it. However, thinking in that manner is wrong, especially with MS. Eating certain types of food can increase symptoms, or make them flare up. There is not one specific diet that will help with Multiple Sclerosis. On the brighter side, eating vegetables, fruits, low-fat protein, and low-dairy products can definitely help with not only your physiological health, but it is also proven to increase your outlook on life. It is important to avoid saturated fats because this leads to high Low-density Lipoproteins, which can cause high cholesterol, leading to symptoms flaring, and the worst case a heart attack or stroke due to Atherosclerosis. Chance for heart attack and stroke are already increased with this chronic disease, so it is important to lay off the saturated fats. Another food that is hard to avoid, but can be detrimental to a patient with MS, is sugar. Sugar can pack on pounds in just a few days, as well it is easily craved. Unfortunately, sugar can lead to increased weight, which makes mobility difficult, and performing daily activities that may already be tough. The video I have attach below helps further explain which food items that may be beneficial to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVWAA4ppI2Q

 Although as now there is no cure for MS, but keep in mind the disease is not fatal. Heart disease and cancer are the leading cause of death among MS patients. Above I listed a few foods to cut down or avoid, but there is not one restrictive diet that needs to be followed. Just as in the general population, avoiding sugar, sodium, and high- calorie food can help you feel better, and live a healthier life. Filling your plate with healthy food can give you an energy boost, and reduce the risk of other health problems.

Citations

 "7 Foods to Avoid When You Have Multiple Sclerosis." EverydayHealth.com. Everyday Health Media, LLC, 2016. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.

"MS: Foods to Avoid." Healthline. Healthline Media. Web. 23 Mar. 2016. 

Patient Self-Management

As many may know doctor’s appointments are not as easy to come by as they were back in the day. Many patients decide to take it upon themselves to take care of their body and disease on their own. There is nothing wrong with this by any means, but it is important to get approval from the doctor, as well as advice on what truly will work to help with multiple sclerosis. Self- management among patients with MS can help reduce pain, fatigue, and depression symptoms. Self-management is an important way for doctors and physicians to help empower and prepare patients for their own health and health care. While reading through articles, I found a few self-management tips that were extremely helpful. For starters, MS varies from day to day, and some days are way easier than others. As individual with MS, you need to prepare a backup plan in case you can’t fulfill your plans for that day due to symptoms flaring up. For example, if you were preparing to go grocery shopping, make arrangements with a neighbor or friend to go for you or with you, in case your body isn’t up for the trip. Secondly, have the right devices and tools in reach. If your case of MS greatly affects mobility, make sure you have a wheelchair, cane, or walker close by. As well keep assistive electronic devices close by in case of emergency. Keep in mind that storing things close by is not giving into the disease and letting it win, it is a way of empowering yourself to get the job done, and making sure that you are able to. Another tip is to not cram your daily schedule into a few short hours. Many patients with MS squish plans into a limited amount of time thinking they will not be able to go all day. Balance and rest is key to keep your body up to date and healthy. If you are going constantly, make sure to take a break and let your body catch up. As well since MS is on your mind constantly, make sure to keep up with other aspects of your health so that ou can be the best version of yourself. Most importantly, make sure to make time for yourself. Stay in and watch a movie, read a book, do some meditating, or go out and breathe in the fresh air. People with MS are constantly stressed by many factors, and this can cause symptoms to flare. As an individual determine what makes your body stress, and make sure to find time pamper yourself, and relax. One important tip that will help brighten your future is to set goals for yourself. This is important to help yourself prepare for future days down the road, in case your MS progresses. Always keep a positive outlook on life, it is essential to a healthy life, and a better you! Don't let it beat you, show it who is boss!

Citations: 

 "Top 10 Tips for Managing Daily Life With MS." EverydayHealth.com. Everyday Health Media, 2016. Web. 23 Mar. 2016. <http://www.everydayhealth.com/multiple-sclerosis/living-with/life-with-multiple-sclerosis/#10>.

"Self-Management in Multiple Sclerosis." Self-Management in Multiple Sclerosis. Web. 23 Mar. 2016. <http://msrrtc.washington.edu/info/sm>. 

Introduction to Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is a potentially disabling disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. The disease attacks one’s immune system around the myelin sheath that protects and covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between the brain and rest of the body. It is considered an autoimmune disease, in which the body attacks its own tissues. Eventually the disease can cause the nerves to deteriorate or become permanently damaged. Here is a link to a youtube video describing MS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Naecv3h868c

There are multiple symptoms that associate with this disease, and they are based off the amount of damage to the nerve and which nerves are being targeted. A few of the main symptoms may include numbness or weakness in the effected area, partial or complete loss of vision, prolonged double vision, tingling or pain in parts of your body, slurred speech, fatigue, and dizziness. As well if you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is recommended to consult with a physician or doctor.

Risk factors are extremely important with this disease because of the course it can take on your body, as well as the time it takes. MS can develop at any age, but is common more among adults between 15-60 years of age. Another interesting factor is that women are twice as likely to obtain this disease. The reason for this is still unknown, but some scientists believe it is based off of genes. Women with MS were more likely to have a variation of a gene that can produce high levels of protein that aggravates and inflames MS symptoms. Another common risk factor that is involved in increasing multiple diseases is smoking. Smoking increases one’s chance of symptoms showing signs of MS, as well as symptoms occurring a second time that confirm MS. There are more symptoms, such as autoimmune diseases, viral infections, climate, race, and family history. It is important to follow up with family history, infections, and diseases when going for check-ups, or if something feels out of the ordinary.

The course the multiple sclerosis takes throughout the body is somewhat difficult to understand, so hopefully the following sentences will help clear up questions. Most patients have a relapsing-remitting disease course, which means new symptoms can occur periodically, as well as old symptoms relapsing from time to time. These time periods can be following by a time of silence with the disease, which can last up to years. Body temperature increasing can cause symptoms to worsen as well. Eventually most patients start to see symptoms that keep a steady progression, and do not seem to disappear; this is when they enter secondary- progressive MS. The rate at which the disease worsens from here is unknown, and different with each individual. Lastly, some individuals develop a gradual onset of symptoms, without relapses, and this is called primary- progressive MS.

Citations:

"Multiple Sclerosis." Overview. 2015. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.

"Multiple Sclerosis." Symptoms and Causes. 2015. Web. 23 Mar. 2016. <http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/symptoms-causes/dxc-20131884>.