Multiple Sclerosis: Expert Guides and Resources

All eight disease-modifying medications that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat MS have been shown to be effective for people who experience relapses.So, as long as you continue to have relapses, you’re still a good candidate for most, if not all, of these medications. However, the evidence is pretty strong that these medications have their greatest impact early in the disease, primarily by reducing inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) and reducing the number and severity of relapses.

Whether you've recently been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) or you've been living with this chronic illness for years, you want to live your life as fully and comfortably as possible. The good news is that you can! The symptoms of MS are manageable with medications, and rehabilitation strategies and treatments can reduce disease activity and slow progression.

Depending on your multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms, the kind of work you do, and the environment in which you work, you’re bound to run into challenges along the way. Some of these challenges may be related to your symptoms, and others may have more to do with attitudes (yours and other people’s) about your MS.

The body has a natural capacity to heal some of the damage caused by multiple sclerosis (MS). For example, partial healing occurs following each MS relapse. Here’s how it works: The inflammation that occurs during an MS relapse causes edema — the accumulation of fluids at the site of the damaged myelin (picture what happens when you sprain your ankle).

Sexual changes are actually pretty common in multiple sclerosis (MS). Approximately 85 percent of men report at least occasional problems, with the most common being getting or maintaining an erection. And approximately 50 to 75 percent of women report problems, the most common of which are loss of interest and changes in vaginal lubrication and sensation.

Research studies on cognitive function in MS have demonstrated that as many as 50 to 66 percent of people will experience some cognitive changes over the course of the disease. Even though the severity of these changes can vary from mild to quite severe, the majority of these changes are in the mild-to-moderate range.

A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) means developing a strong relationship with your doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. They can work with you to manage your symptoms, slow the disease course, and cope with day-to-day challenges. The following are the important members of your healthcare team: Neurologist (or in some situations it may be a nurse practitioner or physician assistant): Diagnoses and treats MS and other neurologic diseases.

Some days you may feel pretty lousy when you have multiple sclerosis (MS). Other days you may feel okay or just so-so. If you’re oh-so-tired of feeling way below par, not to worry. You can improve the way you feel. These helpful tips can start you on your way to feeling healthy and well in spite of MS. Talk with your neurologist — as early in the disease process as you can — about treatment with one of the approved disease-modifying therapies to slow disease activity and progression and reduce further nerve damage as much as possible.