Close to 1 million adults live with MS1 in the US. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling chronic autoimmune neurological disease that mainly affects young adults. With the assistance of new treatments, researchers and scientists have made living your best life with ( MS) a possibility. MS is a chronic disease affecting the central nervous system. With a wide range of symptoms varying from person to person. An individualized treatment plan is required to give the best possible outcome depending on which type of MS you have been diagnosed with.
There is no cure for multiple sclerosis (MS), but there are many ways to successfully treat it with new therapies in progress. New immune-modulating treatments that help reduce both relapses and progression of disability are being FDA approved right now. The use of stem cell transplantations is currently being evaluated to see how the immune system can be "reset" when stem cells are transplanted in some people with MS. Stem cells are an exciting area of research offering thrilling opportunities for those living with MS.
Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are the most commonly used to date medications. DMTs reduce the frequency and severity of MS attacks. DMTs can also slow the progression of disability and the loss of brain volume mass. Ibudilast is an anti-inflammatory medication that lowers inflammation and reduces brain atrophy. Ibudilast is also said to inhibit immune system actions behind the nerve cell damage that occurs in the brain in MS patients.
Lifestyle factors are also heavily considered when developing treatment plans for people diagnosed with MS. Quitting smoking, losing weight, and taking vitamin D have all been identified to help curb potential MS triggers. MS treatments and management techniques have come a long way and are continuing their progression, giving people more options than ever. There is no way to halt MS progression completely, but there are treatments that have been shown to slow it significantly. Finding an MS specialist to guide you on your health journey is crucial for your wellbeing.
Dr. Maryana Liedke is board-certified in Neurology and fellowship-trained in Multiple Sclerosis. Dr. Liedke's area of interest and expertise is to help people with MS by providing patients with the latest treatment options backed by research and emerging science. For more information or appointments, please call (631) 346-9119 or visit www.northsuffolkneurology.com.
North Suffolk Neurology is a full-service Neurology, Headache Medicine, and Sleep Medicine practice. Our neurologists are board certified with a commitment to help patients and their families maintain and improve health.
