When patients experience significant neurological changes, it is best to seek treatment as soon as possible, as it could be an indication of multiple sclerosis (MS). There are four types of MS, and they are named according to how the disease behaves over time.
Types of multiple sclerosis
Relapsing and Remitting MS: It is a common form of MS, and around 85% patients are diagnosed with it. They suffer from periods of flare-ups and relapses when the symptoms appear.
Secondary and Progressive MS: Here, the symptoms steadily worsen and there may or may not be relapses or remissions. Those with the first type of MS will move to this second stage.
Primary and Progressive MS: This is not a common type of MS. The MS symptoms slowly become worse but there are no relapses or remissions.
Progressive and Relapsing MS: This is a rare form of MS, wherein only 5% face worsening of the disease and have acute lapses. There is no remission and there may or may not be any recovery.
Early treatment
If there is an indication of MS even for the very first time, you should start treatment immediately. MS is known to cause more damage in the first year itself.With various types of treatments available, the number of relapses decreases and it delays the progression of the disease. Treatment can be given orally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intravenously.Glatiramer acetate is taken daily as a subcutaneous injection for treating relapsing and remitting MS. This is also used to treat the first episode of MS.
Oral medication Fingolimod is taken daily to treat relapse in MS. It reduces the once-daily oral capsule indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS, which is given to reduce the number of clinical exacerbations and also delay physical disability.
Teriflunomide is an oral medication taken daily and is used to treat relapse in MS.
Dimethyl fumarate is an oral medication taken twice daily and treats relapse in MS.
Mitoxantrone is a chemotherapy medication. It is given intravenously and is used to treat the worsening relapse and remitting form of MS. It reduces the neurological disability and the number of clinical exacerbations.
Natalizumab is given intravenously. It is for patients who have relapsing and remitting MS, and have high disease activity. This medication is administrated every four weeks.
Many people suffer from MS symptoms, and they use various medications to treat them. The patients face emotional changes, fatigue, bladder problems, itching, pain, bowel dysfunction, sexual problems, spasticity, depression, tremors, dizziness, vertigo, tremors, and walking difficulties.
They may also face relapses, which cause inflammation in the central nervous system. The damage is done to the myelin sheath that coats the nerve fibers, and this disrupts the transmission in the nerves. Many relapses get resolved without any treatment.
Severe lapses include poor balance, severe weakness, and loss of vision. You may be recommended intravenous or oral corticosteroids, but these do not have any benefit on the disease in the long term.
Healthcare providers may recommend the use of medications that may be approved by FDA for other diseases, which is also known as “off-label” use. Many such medications are in use for MS.
