Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the brain and spinal cord and i potentially disabling. For those living with MS, the immune system attacks the protective layer that covers the nerve fibers which causes miscommunication between the brain and the rest of the body. MS is incurable, but can be managed with treatments to speed up recovery, manage symptoms, and modify the course of the disease. Medical specialists will recommend lifestyle changes as well.

The various treatments for MS include the following methods:

1. Medications

If you suffer from relapsing-remitting MS and the disease is worsening, then you need to take disease-modifying drugs. These medications prevent a flare-up and slow down the disease. These medications stop the attack of the protective coating of the nerves, which is known as myelin sheath. Drugs are injected into the skin or in the muscle. The shot makes the skin dimply, itchy, red, and sore.

The most common drugs used to treat MS are Beta interferons, which ease the severity and frequency of flare-ups. It causes flu-like symptoms like chills, fever, fatigue, and aches, and it takes a few months to recover from the infection due to the lower number of white blood cells.

Dimethyl fumarate is taken orally to lower the immune cells and regular blood tests. Along with these, the other medications are given intravenously by a doctor.

Natalizumab and ocrelizumab are options if other medications do not work for you. Ocrelizumab attacks only B cells, and this stops the immune system from attacking the body.

Alemtuzumab are chemotherapy drugs that stop the immune system from attacking the nerve coverings. Mitoxantrone is to curb the immune system from attacking the nerve cover and is used only if the body does not respond to other medications.

2. Treating flare-ups
Your regular medication will take care of mild flare-ups, and they will eventually go away. You do not need to treat them if they do not bother you.

The doctor may treat flare-ups with the help of steroids either through oral medication or intravenously. The drug will calm you down but will not slow down the disease. The most common drugs are ACTH, Prednisone, and methylprednisolone.

Plasma exchange can help but does not respond to steroids. The doctor will remove your blood; separate the liquid portion/plasma from the blood cells. The protein solution is mixed with these cells and put back into the body.

Controlling the symptoms of MS can be done in the following manner:

• Bladder problems are controlled with oxybutynin or tolterodine.
• Depression is treated with the help of antidepressants like sertraline, fluoxetine, bupropion.
• Fatigue is treated with modafinil, armodafinil, and amantadine.
• Muscle stiffness or spasms are treated with relaxants like diazepam, clonazepam, tizanidine, and baclofen.

3. Alternative treatments
There are many products that are said to help MS symptoms. Research suggests that these measures can be tried out:

• Vitamin D lowers the chances of getting MS. You can ask your doctor to check the levels and if you need to take supplements.
• Acupuncture, the traditional Chinese treatment, helps in the flow of ‘chi’ – energy along the body lines (meridians) and relieves the symptoms of MS.

To relieve symptoms of MS, you need to take plenty of rest, engage in mild exercise, avoid exposure to heating devices, eat a balanced diet including sufficient consumption of vitamin D, and relieve stress, which is triggered by the symptoms of MS, through massage, meditation, tai chi, yoga etc.