While there's currently no cure for multiple sclerosis, a lot of new treatment options have become available—many in just the last few years. There are pills and capsules taken daily or even a few times a year, injections you can give yourself at home or intravenous infusions given monthly or biannually. These therapies can reduce relapses, prevent permanent damage and manage symptoms.
But along with medical treatment , simple diet and lifestyle changes can improve symptoms and help slow the progression of MS for many patients. MS is an inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, and managing it can get more complicated if you have other conditions, like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These issues can also cause MS to progress more quickly, leading to disabilities.
Taking steps to reduce inflammation and control other conditions can make a big difference in managing MS. That's where making healthy changes in your life can help. Adrienne Castillo, an advanced practice registered nurse at the Rush Multiple Sclerosis Brain Health Center, educates MS patients on how they can improve their brain health and helps them manage their condition.
"Together, patients and I identify areas they're motivated to change," she says. "We make smart goals and develop individualized treatment plans." Along with treatment, understanding how diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes affect MS can empower you to take positive ste.