Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that triggers the immune system to malfunction and attack the central nervous system, more specifically, the myelin sheath that protects nerve cells. Myelin sheaths are the outer, protective covering of nerve cells, and without them, nerve fibers can either break, need repair, or not be able to transmit electrical impulses from your brain to muscles at all. This attack leads to numbness in one’s limbs, but in more severe cases, vision loss or paralysis. People between the age ranges of 20- to 50-years old are often diagnosed with the disease and in most cases, it is nearly impossible to predict how exactly it begun and when. However, there are some risk factors that increase one’s chances of having the disease including age (20-50 years), gender (women are more susceptible), ethnicity (Europeans are more susceptible), and genetic factors.

There are four types of Multiple Sclerosis:

• Clinically-Isolated Syndrome (CIS), in which symptoms last for a full day in only a single episode.
• Relapse-remitting MS (RRMS), in which symptoms can either be new or increase (most common form of MS).
• Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) is when symptoms slowly worsen without any early relapses,
• Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) is when the condition is followed by several bouts of relapse or remission.

While Multiple Sclerosis is incurable, there are numerous MS treatments available:

1. Medications
Medications for multiple sclerosis include several disease-modifying ones such as Corticosteroids, Interferon Beta (1a or 1b), Copaxone, Cannabis Extract, and Aubagio.
These medicines have different effects depending on the progression of the disease.

2. Rehabilitation
If one is not too sure about taking medications for multiple sclerosis, rehab programs are an alternative. The purpose of rehab is to help patient suffering from MS maintain their functionality in both home and work. The type of therapy recommended is based upon the more extreme symptoms one shows. For instance, those having weaker muscles and joints may consider taking Physical Therapy, which specializes in maintaining and restoring movement.

3. Plasma exchange
Otherwise known as plasmapheresis, plasma exchanges are almost like a blood transfusion. However, this process involves replacing the bad plasma in blood with newer, healthy plasma. This removes the antibodies that have been attacking the body and because MS is an autoimmune disease, this is an excellent option.

4. Vitamin D supplements
Recent studies have linked a deficiency in Vitamin D to having multiple sclerosis. Because of this, taking supplements are recommended and can be purchased within local pharmacies.

5. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is one of the few MS treatments that cannot work for certain. However, each treatment depends on the recipient, as each patient has an entirely different body and therefore, can react differently to treatments such as HBOT. The process includes one being in a total body chamber where pressure is monitored and the body inhales 100% oxygen. This is said to speed up the body’s healing process.