You are here: PharmacyArticlesMultiple SclerosisHow To Help Someone With Multiple Sclerosis And Its Symptoms? Read more articles on: Multiple Sclerosis Published on: July 8, 2021 Last Updated On: August 20, 2021 Free Delivery: Your medication is delivered directly to you at no added cost. We even offer same-day delivery in selected locations. Discreet Packaging: Your privacy is important. That's why we send your medication inside a plain delivery box so no one will know what's inside. How To Help Someone With Multiple Sclerosis And Its Symptoms? Finding out that your loved one has multiple sclerosis can be challenging to accept. Multiple sclerosis or MS is a long-standing autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune cells wrongly attack your body’s healthy cells.Usually, MS affects the sheath covering your nerves in the brain and spinal cord. As these nerves are responsible for transmitting signals from the body parts to your brain and vice versa, damage to nerves may affect many functions.So, social support is really essential for them. From daily chores to managing their symptoms, they may need the aid of a loved one.This article will briefly educate about MS and how you can help a loved one suffering from it.Table of Contents Multiple Sclerosis- Causes and SymptomsHow Can You Help Someone Suffering? Offer Help With Daily ActivitiesPromote A Healthy LifestyleSeek Medical Care Whenever NeededBe FlexibleGet the Help You NeedDiagnosisTreatment And MedicationDrugs That Can Slow Down the ProgressionDrugs for Exacerbation SymptomsAlternative and Complementary TherapiesPrecautions And Lifestyle ChangesFinal ThoughtsMultiple Sclerosis- Causes and SymptomsYou can help them by knowing a tad about the condition and the common presenting symptoms.As discussed before, multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder where your immune cells wrongly attack your own body’s healthy cells, causing their destruction. In MS, the immune cells attack the cells sheath covering your nerves, protecting the nerve fibers from any injury. This sheath also helps to communicate signals efficiently and quickly.In places where the sheath sustains damage or disappears, a scar appears, known as sclerosis. So, multiple sclerosis is multiple scars on the protective sheath of your nerves.When multiple lesions develop, nerve fibers are damaged. All this alters the flow of electrical impulses from the brain to the target tissue. The affected part thus cannot carry out its normal functions.ALSO READ How does Baclofen Ease Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms?CausesThe exact reason for MS is unknown, but experts believe some factors may increase the risk of getting MS, such as:Age between 20 to 40 yearsBeing a womanGenetic predispositionHabits such as smokingExposure to Epstein-Barr virus or human herpes virusVitamin B12 and/or vitamin D deficiencyTeenage obesitySymptoms and SignsAs nerves affect your brain and spinal cord that control all your body actions, symptoms can involve any body part.Some common symptoms include:Muscle weaknessTingling and numbness, especially in the arms and legsAn electric shock-like sensation on moving the neck (Lhermitte’s sign)Loss of bladder controlConstipation and bowel incontinenceDizziness and vertigoFatigueMuscle spasms and spasticitySexual problems such as low libidoBlurred or double vision, total or partial loss of vision, and other vision problemsDepression and emotional changesProblem with maintaining balance or gait problemsMuscle pain or stiffnessHow Can You Help Someone Suffering? If a loved one is suffering from MS, here are some ways of helping them:Offer Help With Daily ActivitiesDepending on their problem, a person who has multiple sclerosis may need help with various daily tasks. You may run some errands or arrange transportation for them. You can also help them with cooking, laundry, cleaning, and shopping.In some cases, they may also need assistance for feeding, bathing, dressing, or toileting. Try and make adjustments at home that will help your loved one to be more independent. For instance, make doorways wider and ramps, which will make it easier for them to get around.A physical or occupational therapist may suggest some changes at home that may help.Promote A Healthy LifestyleA healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet and exercise can help in improving various aspects of MS. You can participate in these changes so that they stay motivated.ALSO READ How does Baclofen Ease Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms?Moreover, treat them the way you always have. Ask their suggestions for your problems. You may feel that you do not want to be a burden, but this may not be the case. They might want to continue their role of confidant and social supportSeek Medical Care Whenever NeededIf you notice a change in behavior or their symptoms worsen or don’t improve, it is best to consult medical care.You can also track their medical appointment and medicines and look out for side effects. If they are advised injectables, help them get them.Be FlexibleMultiple sclerosis may be unpredictable at times, and each day can be different. MS symptoms can range from imbalance, weakness, dizziness, cognitive changes, and vision lossSo, you do need to establish a routine and plan things, but always try and be flexible.If your loved one is feeling low, talking to them will need prioritizing than the planned to-dos.Get the Help You NeedTaking care of a loved one with MS can be challenging both physically and mentally. If you are feeling tired or overwhelmed, it is best to take a break. Also, if you are unwell, ask for help. You can help others only when you are well and have the energy for that. So, knowing when to ask for help is essential.You can also consider in-home help or respite care.DiagnosisA healthcare professional will ask for a detailed history and run a physical check to diagnose MS. They may also ask for the following tests to confirm the diagnosis:Optical coherence tomography where the image is taken of the nerve layers to look for thinning of the nerve supplying your eyeMRI scan to find out inactive and active lesion in the brain or spinal cordBlood tests to rule out the possibility of other conditions having a similar presentationLumbar puncture or spinal tap to find anything abnormal in your spinal fluidVisual evoked potentials (VEP) test that stimulates nerve pathways to understand the electrical activity of the brainALSO READ How does Baclofen Ease Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms?Treatment And MedicationAs discussed before, there is no cure for MS. On a brighter note, many treatment options are available that can relieve symptoms, reduce the severity and frequency of relapses, and even slow the progression of your condition.Drugs That Can Slow Down the ProgressionDisease-modifying therapies alter how your immune function works, and the Food and Drug Administration recommends them for the relapsing symptoms.Options include:Injectables: Interferon beta-1b, interferon beta 1-a, peginterferon beta-1a, and glatiramer acetateOral medicines: Fingolimod, mavenclad, teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, and mayzentInfused medicines: Mitoxantrone, natalizumab, alemtuzumab, and ocrelizumab Drugs for Exacerbation SymptomsThese medicines are used when the symptoms become severe. Some common options include:Corticosteroids such as prednisone and methylprednisoloneDalfampridine for problems with balance and mobilityAntispasmodics or muscle relaxantsDonepezil for cognitive changesAlternative and Complementary TherapiesThe following approaches may help with different MS problems:AcupunctureMassage and heat treatmentStress managementExercisesAvoiding smokingA healthy diet including vegetables, fruits, and fiberSome other options that may help are:Physical therapy to restore maximum movementSwallowing and speech therapyOccupational therapy to improve mental and physical functionCognitive rehabilitation for problems in perception and thinkingPrecautions And Lifestyle ChangesSome lifestyle changes and precautions that may help are:Consuming a healthy dietBeing activeAvoiding excess heatTrying stress-relieving techniques such as yoga and meditationQuitting smokingGetting enough restFinal ThoughtsTaking care of a loved one with multiple sclerosis may be a daunting task. But it is best to take care of yourself and help them whenever possible. The mentioned tips may help you get started. We're Here for You: Our pharmacists are happy to answer your questions. Get in touch by text, live chat, phone or email. We're standing by 7 days a week. Automatic Refills: We manage your refills and get in touch with your doctors for prescription renewals so that you always have the medication you need. Read More... 6165 Views Share