Although there’s no cure for multiple sclerosis (MS), hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. are living with it – upwards of 400,000 individuals, in fact, and of that, 86 percent of MS patients list fatigue as the most common symptom they’re experiencing. With so many people seeking help for MS, our care team is here with the information and home care solutions to make life the best it can be.
The cause of MS is not known; it is not a communicable disease or known to be hereditary, but elements that may come into play include the following:
- Gender – Females are impacted more than twice as often as males
- Age – The majority of those receive a diagnosis between the ages of 20 and 50
- Geography – Most individuals with MS live in temperate environments
- Ethnic background – Caucasians are at a greater risk
It is thought that MS symptoms are caused when an immune system attack impacts myelin, the protective insulation surrounding nerve fibers of the central nervous system. For individuals with multiple sclerosis, myelin is destroyed and replaced with scarring of hard sclerotic tissue. Some underlying nerve fibers are forever severed, and the deterioration exhibits in a number of places within the central nervous system — providing the disease with its name.
While we await a cure, there are a variety of treatment methods currently obtainable to help. Medications can modify the disease course, treat relapses, and control symptoms, improving quality of life and comfort for people with MS. These medications include:
Disease Course Modification:
- Injectable medications such as interferon beta 1a and 1b, glatiramer acetate, and peginterferon beta 1a
- Oral medications such as teriflunomide, fingolimod, cladribine, siponimod, dimethyl fumarate, and diroximel fumarate
- Infused medications such as alemtuzumab, mitoxantrone, ocrelizumab, and natalizumab
- Relapse Management:
- IV or oral corticosteroids such as methylprednisolone, prednisone, and ACTH
Symptom Management Through Home Care for MS Patients:
A wide range of medications can be prescribed to ease symptoms such as:
- Bladder dysfunction
- Bladder infection
- Bowel dysfunction
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Emotional difficulties
- Fatigue
- Itching
- Pain
- Sexual difficulties
- Tremors
- Walking difficulties
- And more
In addition, numerous non-medicinal therapeutic and technological developments can be helpful, as well as specialized in-home care for MS patient services, which will make life more comfortable, easier, and safer for those with multiple sclerosis.
Stay Home Care, a leading provider of Hendersonville home care and care throughout the surrounding areas, is always on hand to provide a free in-home assessment and development of a customized care plan to help overcome any challenges being experienced by someone with MS. Whether the need is for just a few hours of help around the house or full-time, live-in home care for MS patients to improve safety and to prevent falls, or anything in between, our professional, compassionate caregivers are fully trained and experienced in meeting a range of multiple sclerosis care needs. Call us any time at 615-964-7726 to learn more.