If you live in a state that allows for medical marijuana use, you might want to talk with your doctor about how it can help with your Multiple Sclerosis symptoms.

Specifically, it was recently reported the LA Times from an an article published in the journal BMC Neurology, Shaheen E. Lakhan and Marie Rowland of the Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation in Los Angelesthat the THC in marijuana may reduce spasticity and improve mobility. The authors looked at a number of medical marijuana studies to find these results. They note that while the drug is generally well tolerated, optimal dosages do require some work.

Of course, this news is only helpful to you if you live in a state that allows the use and disbursement of medical marijuana, and if your doctor agrees that the drug might be helpful. Even where it’s legal, the law can be murky, so you’ll need to do your research on what is lawful and available for your own situation.

In other news:

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• Tony Newman: Montel Williams to Receive Award for Medical Marijuana Advocacy (huffingtonpost.com)

A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis means that you must take a look at how you are going to make the necessary adjustments. There is a lot of help for that.

Adjusting To Living With Multiple Sclerosis

People with multiple sclerosis may feel that their disease has cost them their independence. This is not true. There are simple modifications that you can make to your home and workplace that will allow you to live a fairly normal life.

The first thing that you need to do is consult your physician and groups that provide multiple sclerosis support for ideas and information. In this article, we’ve got some helpful advice on living with multiple sclerosis that will help you make your life easier.

All MS treatments can have some side effects and all people with multiple sclerosis respond differently to different medications. Some injected MS treatments may cause flu-like side effects, such as fever, chills, muscle aches and tiredness. For many people, the flu-like side effects lessen or go away over time.

If you receive an injected MS treatment, then change the time of day that you take your injection. Many people choose bedtime so they can sleep through many of the side effects. Take over-the-counter pain medications. They can help reduce pain or fever. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have an allergic reaction to a multiple sclerosis drug.

One of the most difficult parts of living with MS is coping with the mental and physical fatigue. It’s one of the symptoms of MS, but it can also be caused by some medications. Depending on the type of fatigue, your doctor may recommend aerobic exercise, physical therapy or occupational therapy.

Prioritizing your responsibilities, pacing yourself, and delegating work to others will help to conserve your energy. Depression is common and it is managed the same way as depression that occurs without the medicine: an antidepressant medication and/or counseling.

Living with multiple sclerosis will mean making changes to your living environment. Making specific changes around the home can significantly reduce injuries or mitigate high-risk situations, such as falling or getting a burn.

For the sake of safety, you should have hand rails and other supports installed in the bathtub. You should also use the microwave instead of a traditional stove and kettle. If you do use a stove, then select a model with controls located at the front, use the back burners whenever possible, and use a stove guard which fits around the side or front of the appliance. Buy a kettle and iron with an automatic switch-off.

Living with multiple sclerosis means that you have to take the appropriate home safety measures. Doing things such as making sure that you maintain well-lighted areas in and around the home, keeping floors free of obstacles, fastening loose rugs to the floor and wearing well-fitted shoes with good traction are all simple things you can do that will keep you safe. Taking these little steps will make living with MS easier for both you and your family.

By: Michael Selvon

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Enrich your knowledge further about living with multiple sclerosis from Mike Selvon portal. We appreciate your feedback at our muscular dystrophy blog where a free gift awaits you.

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Trying to maintain a healthy diet is a good thing for everyone, and it can’t do anything but good for folks suffering from multiple sclerosis.

Multiple Sclerosis And Diet

Healthy eating is important for everyone, but it is particularly important if you have a chronic illness, such as multiple sclerosis. Good nutrition, especially adequate calories and protein, helps maintain your body’s store of protein, provide energy, heal wounds, and fight infection.

A good Multiple Sclerosis diet is believed to help control and possibly eliminate many of the symptoms that come along with the disease. This can help slow the progression of the disease. While you should check with a doctor for specific suggestions or guidelines, there are some basic tips to a good MS diet.

Preparing fresh food can be a hassle,the health benefits to anyone are obvious but for us with MS its an even bigger benefit,I will explain.If we use our precious energy digesting unhealthy and rich foods like cheeseburgers and other naughty food(you know the stuff I mean we all watch TV) then we feel heavy bloated and downright lousy! So what I do is make double portions of healthy food when I feel good and stick it in the freezer for days when Im not so good then I wont be tempted to order take aways.Once you get into the habit its easy to do.Have a look at the recipe page (I do actually have a degree in Food and Beverage and I used to be a chef so they taste good! ) Im always adding to it as I love experimenting with food so keep your eye on it and please email me any recipes you have and Ill try them and then put on my site.

As the diet may contain high levels of polyunsaturates, a good intake of vitamin E, vitamin B6, zinc and vitamin C is needed. Vitamin E is the main antioxidant that helps prevent peroxidation of polyunsaturates and vitamin C helps to protect vitamin E. Zinc and vitamin B6 are part of the enzyme delta-6-desaturase which is involved in conversion of linoleic acid (found in polyunsaturated fat and oils) to its longer chain derivatives.

It is important to have a balance between the two types of polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturates). Polyunsaturated margarines, fats and oils (eg, sunflower or soya spread, and sunflower, corn, safflower and soya oils) are a good source of omega-6 polyunsaturates.

You should increase the amount of fresh vegetables and fruits in your MS diet. Try to always eat freshly cooked food when you must cook it. This will increase the amount of vitamins and minerals your body absorbs. This will help to make up for some of the nutrients you lose by cutting certain things from your diet. Vitamin supplements may also be beneficial or even necessary for your Multiple Sclerosis, but you should consult a doctor to make sure you take the right vitamins.

Obviously, any foods you are allergic to should be cut from your diet. If you are unsure of allergies, try consulting a doctor or allergy specialist. You may also try eliminating all of the most common problem foods from your diet, and after two weeks bring them back one at a time. If you have a bad reaction to any food, then you should probably eliminate it from your multiple sclerosis diet.

Dairy products make your body more acidic and susceptible to disease. You can get your necessary vitamins and minerals from vegetables and supplements instead of dairy.

By: Corwin Brown

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Read about Herbal Remedies, Natural Cure, Natural Supplements, Home Remedy. Also read about Breast Enlargement and Breast Enhancement and Health Questions Answers Discussion Forum

How’s Your MS Today? – Life with Multiple Sclerosis

I absolutely believe (and practise) that a healthy diet and healthy lifetsyle help MS sypmtoms reduce significantly, but…as yet…there is NO CURE for this disease and I hope that people will stop getting sucked in by hype.

Are autoimmune disorders triggered by a virus?

I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis seven years ago. At that time, physicians were divided about what triggers this autoimmune disorder. While most researchers believed in some kind of an “environmental trigger” for MS as well as … I follow a mostly SWANK DIET (check this out too)for MSers cos it can’t hurt and it’s a good, healthy diet; and other CAMs such as supplements and meditiation. I choose to nourish my body

October recipe success for MS: Using flax seeds

I have resorted to looking at healthy eating and to food as my “medicine” for my health to return to something better than it was. Flaxseeds have been an important part of what I have been into for a few years now and it is actually helping . … Trevis Gleason was diagnosed with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis. He is a volunteer for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, a food journalist, and was an award-winning chef and culinary instructor. 

Cholesterol Miracle Breakthrough Review

By cutting out the "danger substances" from our diets, we achieve a lot of other health benefits like:. Prevent diseases like Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis and even Cancer… by having a clean, healthy body 

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Parenting is a challenge for most of us without the added stress of dealing with multiple sclerosis. However, a diagnosis of MS certainly should not mean you can’t plan your family. You just have to plan a bit differently.

Parenting And Multiple Sclerosis

In the past when a woman is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the physician will counsel against setting up a family. But the advance of science and medications as well as better acceptance of multiple sclerosis let many in the medical profession to acknowledge that a person with the illness can bear children and deal with the debilitating disease.

Even with multiple sclerosis, you raise more than one child but for that, it is necessary to take a inner look at yourself and how you are coping with multiple sclerosis. There is definitely a necessity to prepare well and sort out your life to deal with the growth and health of the children.

Don’t take it as a challenge all by yourself as raising a family can be trying even for parents without multiple sclerosis. Planning your time wisely is important and as looking after children can be draining, tries to ration your energy so that you can experience the day without feeling worn out. When you are energetic, allot some time to play with your children but at other times, when you feel tired, have quiet activities with your child.

Children are very observant and when the time is right, explain to them your condition as they are young and very receptive. As multiple sclerosis set in, at times there is a need to enlighten your children that you need time to deal with it and may affect whatever plans you have with them. Activities can be postponed but seek their acceptance and perhaps set aside the time for other more sedate activities such as reading, etc. When you take the opportunity to explain to your child, it can be helpful and not lead to misunderstanding.

Multiple sclerosis needs not be a disabling as there are still many things you can do as long as you learn to prioritize. Your time with your children is very precious and for other tasks that can be put aside to a later date, learns to do it and spend your time wisely. Allocate your time to run errands and other essential tasks but do not overexert. When you are occupied with energy sapping task, do a simpler and less energy draining one next so that you can conserve and not excessively fatigued.

Always instill in your child the need to be thoughtful and accepting of those with disabilities. Children with multiple sclerosis parents tend to grow up to be more responsible, loving and caring adults.

By: Jhye

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Jhye is an author who read widely about health and article on multiple sclerosis is his contribution. Take a look at www.managingmultiplesclerosis.com

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Even though difficult, patients who exercise find their multiple sclerosis symptoms can be lessened.

Inactivity in people with or without MS can result in numerous risk factors associated with coronary heart disease. In addition, it can lead to weakness of muscles, decreased bone density with an increased risk of fracture, and shallow, inefficient breathing.

When you’re numb, exhausted, or dragging a leg, it’s hard to fathom getting up and moving. Moreover, not everyone was a sports nut before MS arrived. In fact, a large number of us agree with the wag who said, When I get the urge to exercise, I lie down until it goes away! But research suggests that exercise can do more than enhance overall health. It can actually reduce MS symptoms.

In the past 10 years that studies have shown exactly how workouts can help people with MS. Research indicates that exercise can decrease fatigue, improve walking speed and balance, and build endurance, strength, and cardiovascular health. It can also off set depression, anxiety, and anger.

There are a few special benefits in MS. For example, some research has shown that exercise and medication together reduce spasticity more effectively than either treatment alone. The three big reasons to get moving:

Better general health.
By improving immunity and general well-being, exercise can help protect people from illnesses such as cardiovascular disease.

Improved performance.
Though for many people ‘improved performance’ might mean a faster time running the 5K, for people with MS, one can also think of it as better function: improved walking, strength, and other skills.

Enhanced quality of life.
Exercise is energizing, so people can enjoy doing more. Simply put, You are able to do daily activities more easily.

An exercise program needs to be appropriate to the capabilities and limitations of the individual, and may need to be adjusted as changes occur in MS symptoms. A physical therapist experienced with the unique and varied symptoms of MS can be helpful in designing, supervising and revising a well-balanced exercise program. Any person with MS who is initiating a new exercise program should also consult with his or her physician before starting.

Periods of exercise should be carefully timed to avoid the hotter periods of the day and prevent excessive fatigue. With some guidelines, a good exercise program can help to develop the maximum potential of muscle, bone and respiration, thereby avoiding secondary complications and gaining the benefits of good health and well-being.

The Exercise Tip Sheet
Check with your health-care provider before starting something new.
Consult a physical therapist about what’s most effective and best for you.
Create some personal incentives rewards, social time, short-term goals, whatever works.

And avoid these errors:
Not warming up: Muscles need time to adjust to new demands. Start slowly and increase intensity gradually.
Pushing yourself: Increase exercise time gradually. Doing a little every day is better than a blowout once a weekso go for frequency.
Not drinking enough water: Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Keep water at hand.
Not cooling down afterwards: Plan for rest time! If MS symptoms (especially prickling, numbness, or blurred vision) have increased, they may be heat-related. Use cool water on wrists, neck, and temples. And give yourself time to cool down.

By: Neil MacLeod

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 Medicotech Ltd is the UK sole distributor for the Thera-Trainers Active/Passive Therapy Exercise Equipment. If you would like information on this excellent range of Therapy Exercise Equipment for people with MS, please contact us on:

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Even patients with Multiple Sclerosis often don’t have all the information about the disease.

Multiple Sclerosis Facts You May Not Know

Many people may know a little bit about multiple sclerosis (MS) but it’s surprising how even those who have the disease or know someone very close to them with it have a misunderstanding about what it is, what it is not, and how to deal with the symptoms of the condition.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is an organization dedicated to informing patients and family members about this disease and usually has some of the most up to date information available, much of which is very surprising even to its patients.

For one thing, multiple sclerosis is a disease that attacks the central nervous system. This system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. This is different from muscular dystrophy, which is a group of diseases that actually attack the muscles themselves. In MS sufferers, their muscles are fine but the nerves cannot signal them to move and function properly. In muscular dystrophy, the nerves are fine but the muscles cannot function as they should. While the patients of both may have similar symptoms they are actually two very different diseases.

Many people assume that those with multiple sclerosis will die at a young age but this just isn’t true at all. Most patients with this condition have a normal life expectancy. It’s also thought that it is an inherent disease; while the gene responsible for the condition can be found in families it is not directly inherent. Most with MS will see it skip a generation or two, or will find that there are patients in their extended family (aunts and uncles, distant cousins, etc.) rather than having the gene passed on from parent to child.

It’s interesting also that most persons with multiple sclerosis do not become severely disabled. They may have certain problems or limitations that they will need to accommodate; many have issues with coordination and balance, or have trouble walking that means assistance with a cane, walker, or occasional wheelchair, but the vast majority of MS patients are able to have careers and families and function normally with only minor inconveniences.

Typically just knowing that you have the disease or condition will help tremendously in being able to make accommodations around the house and place of employment; many patients with multiple sclerosis simply ask to be relocated to a desk or work station nearer the restroom so they have less distance to walk; they may request to be able to phone in to conferences and meetings rather than travel or even walk to the conference room, and of course they become quite adept at email and instant messaging so they don’t need to get to a coworker’s desk either! These minor accommodations are usually happily provided by an employer.

Those with MS usually experience quite a different set of symptoms than another patient or sufferer with MS. It’s important to be in contact with your doctor as well because there are always new medications and treatment options being developed for MS that may not be able to cure the disease outright but that can make the symptoms that much more bearable.

A New Treatment Theory

Dr. Paul Goldberg has advanced the theory that a plentiful year round supply of the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which trigger the production of vitamin D in human skin, is the reason why multiple sclerosis is almost non-existent in tropical regions. He argues that in temperate climates the disease strikes those who inherit an unfulfilled need for the high levels of vitamin D that the sun bestows on tropical humans. If his theory proves correct then multiple sclerosis should be easy to prevent but unfortunately not cure. Multiple Sclerosis is primarily in adults between the ages of 20 and 40.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

By: David Cowley

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 David Cowley has created numerous articles about the relationship between diseases and vitamins. Visit Health Related Articles

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How you live with and manage your MS means feeling your way through your own particular symptoms and difficulties.

How To Manage With Multiple Sclerosis

Being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis might make you feel confused, scared, concerned. There is no cure for multiple sclerosis yet but the existing treatments and possibilities are a good way of reducing symptoms.

Multiple sclerosis is quite difficult to be diagnosed because its symptoms vary according with its stages. In young people multiple sclerosis occurs with the following symptoms: blurred vision, suddenly double vision and movement problems and abnormal sensations in scattered parts of the body.

AIDS, lupus, arteritis, hereditary ataxias, Guillain-Barr syndrome, Lyme disease, a cyst in the spinal cord are the diseases with which differential diagnosis must be done so as to clarify the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. To perform various tests samples of cerebrospinal fluid are needed. In multiple sclerosis the antibodies concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid is high, the white blood cell count and protein content of the fluid may be higher. MRI or magnetic resonance imaging is the best procedure to detect multiple sclerosis and confirms the diagnosis, helps detecting the areas of active inflammation and demyelination.

In multiple sclerosis the brain’s response to the stimuli such as: flashing lights and other sensory stimuli are slow because of the interrupted conduction through demyelinated nerve fibers.

Treatment

Early treatment is very important because the brain is not damaged entirely and physical disability can be slowed in its progression. Learn from your doctor about optional therapies and any possible ways of getting your life improved.

The most used treatment in multiple sclerosis were corticosteroids, for example Meticorten. But they do not stop the progression of the disability. For people who have affected the optic nerve corticosteroids are given intravenously. If used for a long time corticosteroids have many side effects such as: ulcers, weight gain, diabetes, fatigue, decreased bone density. Other treatments are: interferon-beta Betaseron injections, Rebif, Avonex that reduce the frequency relapses and help prevent the later disability.

There are available the following products: acetate injections Copaxone, Novantrone which can reduce the relapses and the progression of the disease. Interferons and gamma globulins interviene in the distruction of the myelin and destroy the abnormal antibodies. For relieving the pain propanolol is used. To reduce the tremor doctors prescribe Inderal, Symmetrel to relieve the fatigue, to treat depression Endep, Elavil and Zoloft.

It is important to maintain an active lifestyle with physical exercises such as: riding a stationary bicycle, swimming, walking, stretching that reduces spasticity and maintain a muscular, cardiovascular, psychologic health. Do not expose yourself at high temperatures and do not have hot baths or showers. In choosing a multiple sclerosis treatment one should consider effectiveness, side effects and convenience because multiple sclerosis is a long life disease. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits your treatment provides you safety, side effects, ease of use.

Changes in your life style have great effect, in treating multiple sclerosis, exercise, diet. Infusion therapy is an option for some of the patients with multiple sclerosis, because it prevents inflammation and further damage.

By: Groshan Fabiola

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We recommend you clicking this site www.multiple-sclerosis-center.com for more multiple sclerosis subjects like multiple sclerosis treatment or symptoms of multiple sclerosis

Living with Multiple Sclerosis

Living with Multiple Sclerosis. Saturday, February 14. *. video. Here’s my Annie, playing with her favorite toy. I use this to train her to "pull". 

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Diagnosing And Living With Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is possibly the most difficult disease to diagnose. The symptoms are vague and widespread, mimicing other diseases. The cause of MS is unknown and there is no cure. If you exhibit any of the symptoms from my last article, you need to see your Doctor!

There are several Tests for Multiple Sclerosis. No 2 people experience the same symptoms, nor do they share the exact same test results. The Tests for MS include:
1) MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of the Brain and Spine
2) Spinal Tap
3) Sed Rate (Lab work to show Inflammation)
4) Nerve Conduction tests (Done in your Neurologists’ Office)

Your History of symptoms and Physical exam are also considered. You will be checked for strength, coordination, response to stimuli and how you walk.

Once your diagnosis is confirmed you will be set up for a personalized treatment plan. Physical Therapy helps keep your muscles from atrophy (shrinkage) and stiffness. Steroid infusions help with inflammation from the damaged nerves. There is new medication that helps to stabilize your symptoms. You won’t get better, but the progression is reduced.

The biggest keys in fighting this disease are Determination and Stubborness. Luckily, I have both! It took some time for these to surface, but when they did I took the bull by the horns and fought the good fight!

After my first 6 years of undiagnosed symptoms I developed difficulty swallowing. That, with my other symptoms, finally triggered my doctor to test for MS. When the results were positive, I was actually relieved. I thought I was just going crazy! I then began treatment. It helped some, but it made me sick.

About a year and a half ago I was eating Macaroni and Cheese. Something felt funny in my neck and it hurt to swallow or breath. My feet started swelling and I developed a cough. I layed down one night and the next thing I remember I woke up in ICU tied down to a bed with something taped to my nose. I thought I died and went to Hell! I was TERRIFIED!!

I soon learned that I had aspirated the Macaroni and Cheese and developed a life threatening case of Pneumonia. I had been in a coma and on a Lung Respirator for 13 days. The first 5 days of this my doctor told my family to start making funeral arrangements for me. I can only imagine what they were going through!

My aunt held a prayer ritual for me at her church, and miraculously I started improving on the 6th day!! This experience completely changed my insight on life. Hold it dear to your heart because one night you might go to sleep and never wake up.

My boys and I were already close, but this tightened the bond between us. They are the reason I fight to stay on this earth. Fortunately, my stubborness to stay alive is effective. I also was told by my boys that I drove the nurses crazy while I was in the coma. I kept coughing up the tube! The nurses had to wrap tape around my head to hold the tube in, and tie me down so I would’nt pull it out!

I deal with MS one day at a time. My new insight taught me that things could be much worse! I do try to do more than I should, resulting in falls. I never was graceful, anyway, but I reached a new level of clumsiness. We laugh about it when I fall or drop things. Laughter is a great cure. Now if one of my boys shows signs of clumsiness, they say "Oops! I pulled a Lou"!

To sum it up, no matter what life throws at you, you CAN make the best of it. Being alive is something we take for granted. It can go away in the blink of an eye!

By: Lou Stella Barron

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 I’ve been a single mom of two wonderful boys since 1994. I had to end my cherished 25 year career in the Radiology Profession due to Multiple Sclerosis. My boys have always been my greatest inspiration to keep me fighting and never giving up! I now, proudly, work from home! www.stellagothergroove.com www.stellagothergroove.com/theberrytree

Hope and Change for People with Multiple Sclorosis
We are connected through multiple sclerosis. Some of us are patients, some family members, friends, caregivers, and health professionals. No matter what our economic status, profession, or political leanings, MS impacts our lives in profound ways. MS is what it is. … Living With It. Multiple Sclerosis Patient Advocate, MS Blogger, Musician. Lisa Emrich is a professional musician. 

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