Multiple Sclerosis

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If you or someone you know has multiple sclerosis, the impact of the disease can be challenging for everyone involved. Your neurologist can help. The neurologists at Knight Neurology in Rockledge, FL, offer a wide range of neurology services, including diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis, or MS.

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How MS Can Affect Family and Relationships

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MS is an autoimmune disease affecting the nervous system. The protective covering of nerves, known as the myelin sheath, becomes damaged. Nerve signals to the brain can be slowed or not function correctly, resulting in:

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• Numbness or weakness, typically on one side of the body

• Feelings of electric shock when bending the neck

• Dizziness, tremors, and fatigue

• Difficulty walking and problems with coordination

• Eye pain, double vision, blurred vision, or loss of vision

• Difficulty with speech, including slurred speech

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

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All of these signs and symptoms can result in difficulty completing daily tasks. Family and friends may need to perform daily tasks for the person with MS. Caregiving may become part of daily life for family or friends. A person with MS may need help with:

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• Transportation

• Cooking meals

• Bathing and grooming

• Putting on or taking off clothing

• Finances and correspondence

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The limitations involved with MS can result in depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues for the person with MS, family, and friends.

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Visiting the neurologist can help with the treatment and management of MS, as well as counseling for loved ones who care for the patient. The neurologist may advise a variety of treatments to minimize signs and symptoms of MS, including:

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• Corticosteroid injections

• Beta interferon

• Medications to suppress the immune system

• Plasmapheresis

• Physical therapy

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It’s important for a person with MS and those caring for the person to do everything possible to maintain good health. A healthy lifestyle for an MS patient, family, and caregivers includes:

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• Daily exercise of at least 30 minutes on most days of the week

• A healthy diet of lean proteins, healthy fats, and nutrients

• Adequate, good-quality sleep

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Want To Know More About MS?

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To find out more about how MS can affect family and relationships, talk with the experts. Call the neurologists at Knight Neurology in Rockledge, FL. You can reach them in the office by calling (321) 345-6331, so call today.