What Is Multiple Sclerosis?

How your holistic in Franklin, TN, can help you feel better when you have multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis, commonly known as MS, is an autoimmune disease which affects the central nervous system, causing a complex combination of signs and symptoms. Dr. Mehta at BrainCare ( Brain Injury and Stroke Rehab) in Franklin, TN, offers comprehensive brain injury and stroke services, including treatment of multiple sclerosis. Dr. Mehta is a physiatrist who specializes in Brain Injury Medicine, particularly in rehabilitative interventions such as physical medicine, injections.

Your nerves are covered with what is known as a myelin sheath. When this outer covering weakens, the signals from the brain to the body are affected, causing signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis, including:

• Fatigue and dizziness
• Numbness or weakness on one side of your body
• Electric shock sensations when you bend your neck forward
• Tremors, instability walking, and a lack of coordination
• Vision issues, including eye pain, double vision, blurred vision, or vision loss
• Speech issues, including slurred speech
• Loss of bowel or bladder control

Your neurologist may use several methods to diagnose multiple sclerosis, including:

• Blood tests, which are used to rule out other conditions with similar signs and symptoms
• Spinal tap, to identify whether antibodies for MS are present in spinal fluid
• MRI, to detect whether lesions are present indicating active MS

There are several ways MS can be managed and treated to reduce signs and symptoms, including:

• Corticosteroid injections to decrease nerve inflammation
• Beta interferon to reduce the severity and frequency of MS attacks
• Copaxone to prevent your immune system from attacking myelin
• Plasmapheresis, to replace plasma with a protein solution
• Physical therapy to help you maintain strength and flexibility
• Mobility aids and other devices to improve performance of daily tasks
• Dietary and lifestyle modifications to help you maintain optimal health

To discover more about multiple sclerosis and how your brain injury and stroke specialist can help, call Dr. Mehta at BrainCare ( Brain Injury and Stroke Rehab) in Franklin, TN. You can reach her in the office by calling (615) 450-6758, so call now.