Working With Multiple Sclerosis
Have you or someone you know been having chronic slurred speech, tremors or dizziness/blurred vision. If so, you may want to make an appointment with a neurologist because these are the classic early signs of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In this week’s blog, we continue our journey discussing different conditions that chiropractors can help manage. Today, we give a brief synopsis of MS, the symptoms, tips for working with Multiple Sclerosis, and how we can help.
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
MS is an autoimmune condition that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) caused by your immune system attacking the protective layer of your nerves resulting in permanent damage. As a result, this damage prevents the brain not being able to send signals throughout the body correctly. There is no definite reason why individuals develop MS but some risk factors that have been linked to the disease are women, genetics, smokers, viral infections, mono, and low Vitamin D.
Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
As we have discussed in past times, the nervous system controls everything that we do in life. When there is permanent damage to the nervous system, we are going to see deterioration in both motor and bodily functions over time. 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. The most common symptoms of MS include:
- 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
How Can We Help?
Just like last week’s topic on Cerebral Palsy and other neurological conditions that we will talk about in the future, MS is not a curable condition at this time, but it can be managed with a chiropractor and other health professionals. Just like any other condition, chiropractic adjustments will help influence the nervous system and will increase the signals from the brain to the body and back to the brain.
Other health professionals that help manage MS cases include a neurologist, physical/occupational therapist, speech therapist, psychologist/neuropsychologist, dietitian and urologist. Of the professionals listed, two we want to go over briefly are the dietitian and the psychologist/neuropsychologist.
As crazy as it sounds, nutrition is one of the biggest keys on keeping the nervous system running at optimal levels. At our office, we now offer a top of the line nutrition service that helps with many severe conditions such as MS. Contact us today if you have any questions about working with Multiple Sclerosis.
A psychologist/neuropsychologist is important to have, because MS is a debilitating disease and it is okay to have a little guidance and confidence booster. Just like we discussed in last week’s blog and future blogs to come, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU WANT! DON’T LET SOMETHING STOP YOU FROM DOING THE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO! STAY STRONG AND WORK FOR YOUR GOALS!