The eighth of series of Autoimmune Disorders.  My reasons for this series is twofold.  First, to make people aware of the many Autoimmune Disorders and to give some history of the well known or more prevalent ones.  It is noted that 1 in 5 Americans have been diagnosed with at least one Autoimmune Disorder, of which 75% are women.  Second, allowing people to be aware, especially those who are affected by Autoimmune Disorders, that they don’t need to live with the residual aches and pains, inflammation, stress, depression, and anxiety.  There are alternative options that work alongside conventional therapies.  My focus, as a Reiki Practitioner and Wellness Advocate, is to educate and better help those who are suffering needlessly.  I teach a class on the benefits of Reiki Energy Healing for those who have been diagnosed with Autoimmune Disorders.  For more information and to register, please contact me at 860-593-5257.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a long-lasting disease that can affect your brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves in your eyes.  It can cause problems with vision, balance, muscle control, and other basic body functions.

Treatment can relieve MS symptoms and delay disease progression.

The effects are often different for everyone who has the disease.  Some people have mild symptoms and don’t need treatment.  Others will have trouble getting around and doing daily tasks.

MS happens when your immune system attacks a fatty material called myelin, which wraps around your nerve fibers to protect them.  Without this outer shell, your nerves become damaged.  Scar tissue may form.

The damage means your brain can’t send signals through your body correctly.  Your nerves also don’t work as they should to help you move and feel.  As a result, you may have symptoms like:

  • Trouble walking
  • Feeling tired
  • Muscle weakness or spasms
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Sexual problems
  • Poor bladder or bowel control
  • Pain
  • Depression
  • Problems focusing or remembering

The first symptoms often start between ages 20 and 40.  Most people with MS have attacks, also called relapses, when the condition gets noticeably worse.  They’re usually followed by times of recovery when symptoms improve.  For other people, the disease continues to get worse over time.

In recent years, scientists have found many new treatments that can often help prevent relapses and slow the disease’s effects.

What Causes MS?

Doctors don’t know for sure what causes MS, but there are many things that seem to make the disease more likely.  People with certain genes may have higher chances of getting it.  Smoking also may raise the risk.

Some people may get MS after they’ve had a viral infection — like the Epstein-Barr virus or the human herpesvirus 6 — that makes their immune system stop working normally.  The infection may trigger the disease or cause relapses.  Scientists are studying the link between viruses and MS, but they don’t have a clear answer yet.

Some studies suggest that vitamin D, which you can get from sunlight, may strengthen your immune system and protect you from MS.  Some people with higher chances of getting the disease who move to sunnier regions seem to lower their risk.

Getting a Diagnosis

It can be hard to diagnose MS, since its symptoms can be the same as many other nerve disorders.  If your doctor thinks you have it, he’ll want you to see a specialist who treats the brain and nervous system, called a neurologist.  She’ll ask you about your medical history and check you for key signs of nerve damage in your brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.

There’s no single test that can prove you have MS.  Your doctor will use a few different ones to check you.  These may include:

  • Blood tests to rule out diseases that cause similar symptoms, like Lyme disease and AIDS
  • Checks of your balance, coordination, vision, and other functions to see how well your nerves are working
  • A test that makes detailed pictures of the structures in your body, called an MRI
  • Analysis of the liquid that cushions your brain and spinal cord, called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).  People with MS usually have specific proteins in their CSF.
  • Tests (called evoked potentials) that measure the electrical activity in your brain

Treatment

There is no cure for MS right now, but a number of treatments can improve how you feel and keep your body working well.

Your doctor can also prescribe drugs that may slow the course of the disease, prevent or treat attacks, ease your symptoms, or help you manage the stress that can come with the condition.

Drugs that may slow your MS or help nerve damage include:

Your doctor may give you steroids to make your MS attacks shorter and less severe. You can also try other drugs, like muscle relaxants, tranquilizers, or botulinum toxin (Botox), to ease muscle spasms and treat some of the other symptoms.

A physical therapist can teach you exercises that will keep up your strength and balance and help you manage fatigue and pain.  An occupational therapist can teach you new ways to do certain tasks to make it easier to work and take care of yourself.  If you have trouble getting around, a cane, walker, or braces can help you walk more easily.

Along with treatment, you can do other things to ease your MS symptoms.  Get regular exercise and avoid too much heat to boost your energy.  Ask your doctor about trying yoga to ease fatigue or stress.  Take care of your emotional health, too. It’s OK to ask family, friends, or a counselor for help with any stress or anxiety you may feel.  Support groups are also great places to connect with other people living with MS.

What’s the Outlook for MS?

Research is giving doctors more treatment options for the condition, a better idea of what causes it, and the ability to diagnose it earlier.  Stem-cell and genetic research may soon help doctors repair damaged nerves or stop the disease before it causes damage.

Scientists are also looking for new ways to treat MS in clinical trials.  These trials test new drugs to see if they’re safe and if they work.  They’re often a way for people to try new medicine that isn’t available to everyone.  Ask your doctor if one of these trials might be a good fit for you.

What Are the Holistic and Alternative Modalities for MS?

Reiki Energy Healing is one of the holistic and alternative modalities to help decrease or release residual inflammation, aches and pains, and mental and emotional stresses due to chronic Autoimmune Disorders.

Reiki supports and enhances the body’s ability to heal itself.  It works equally well whether it is used to help accelerate the body’s healing process while recovering from illness or as a form of preventive self-care.

It is one of the most powerful techniques known for alleviating stress, anxiety, and pain.  It naturally creates deep states of relaxation and feelings of well-being.

Reiki supports and strengthens the immune system’s ability to fight infection of any kind, including viruses and bacteria.

It is not just for treating physical problems.  It works with the body’s natural healing wisdom to restore states of inner peace and balance at all levels… physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.

Those affected with Autoimmune Disorders quite often deal with stress, anxiety, depression, lack of self-confidence and self-esteem, toxic overload from pharmaceutical medications, lack of mobility, and/or decreased social activities.  Reiki can release these symptoms, increase mobility, and facilitate a return to a healthier and happier lifestyle.

Other modalities may include meditation, sound healing, pranic healing, crystal healing, EFT/Tapping, yoga, qi gong, acupressure/acupressure, and dietary changes.

Information on MS is from WebMD.com