Patients that suffer from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) often deal with a wide array of symptoms as their condition progresses. Some of the most common signs of MS include balance issues, difficulty walking, chronic fatigue, vision problems, and tingling sensations. However, symptoms can vary greatly from one patient to the next, depending on which nerves have been damaged by the condition.
Since no two cases are exactly alike, understanding and treating MS can be extremely challenging. Unfortunately, even with the most robust treatment options today, there is no cure for MS. This means that patients can only manage their condition and its symptoms but treatments can expedite the recovery process and help patients to return to a state of remission.
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease that has the potential to be disabling. It affects the brain and spinal cord and is often characterized by irregular flare-ups. Ultimately, MS can cause lasting deterioration of the nerves.
When a patient is suffering from MS, their immune system targets the myelin sheath, which is the protective layer that covers the nerve fibers. If the sheath is damaged, it causes communication issues between the brain and the body. In more severe cases, patients can lose their ability to walk unassisted. Other patients may experience a long-term remission without the development of any new symptoms.
Multiple Sclerosis: Disease Progression Course
Almost all MS patients experience stages of remission and relapse. They may develop new symptoms during a flare-up period that lasts a few days to a few weeks. Once the flare-up is over, the symptoms may improve partially or entirely. Remission periods can last for several months or even for consecutive years.
About half of all MS patients will typically develop a consistent progression of symptoms within the first decade of onset. This condition is often referred to as secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis.
Potential MS Treatment Options
Traditional treatments for MS focus on controlling flare-ups, slowing the progression of the condition and protecting the myelin sheath. While medications have helped many patients, not everyone is able to achieve the desired results. For patients who have not had success in controlling their condition with conventional options, stem cell therapy may be a viable alternative option.
Stem cells offer many potential benefits, including a prolonged remission period. Like all MS treatments, stem cell therapy outcomes will vary based on the unique patient factors and their day-to-day lifestyle choices. Just as any other treatment modality available, regenerative medicine is a management tool for patients and one that may be beneficial to explore more on.
This post was written by a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine for multiple sclerosis, also known as stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis. Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.