Multiple sclerosis is a non-curable neurological disease. Although the multiple sclerosis (MS) course is chronic, most persons with MS can lead a life with few restrictions in many respects for a long time. Sports activity is even recommended in multiple sclerosis and most affected persons remain ambulatory and physically as well as mentally resilient for many years or decades. Side effects of MS such as chronic fatigue. Depression should always be treated as well. Thus, the quality of life of MS patients increases significantly.
If you are suffering from MS or have relatives with MS, you can inform yourself about the multiple sclerosis course and the consequences of the MS diagnosis with us. We explain which sports activities are suitable for MS patients and which methods can improve the course of MS in addition to the classic conventional medical therapy.
Progressive forms of MS
In the RRMS form, there is MS relapses with different intensity and frequency. Between the relapses there are no or only slight symptoms, especially in the first years of the disease.
After about twenty years or more, relapsing-remitting MS usually progresses to a Secondary progressive form over (SPMS). In this form, the symptoms remain at least partially after a relapse and increase continuously. Occasionally, additional relapsing-remitting deterioration of the MS Symptoms come.
Only about every tenth person with MS is affected from the beginning (primarily) by a chronic-progressive course (PPMS) affected. In this case, no clear relapses can be distinguished, but there is an continuous worsening of symptoms. Occasionally, similar phases can occur after a relapse. This form is the only form of MS in which Women and men equally often affected are. All other forms affect significantly more women than men.
Multiple Sclerosis Progression and Life Expectancy
Although life expectancy does not decrease significantly, many people with MS will experience at least partial disability as the disease progresses in need of care.
More than 60 percent However, even after more than 25 years of living with MS, patients may still experience walking independently. However, after so many years of the disease, a similar number of sufferers experience no longer able to work. After all one in ten patients experienced no or only slight Restrictions even after a long course of the disease.
Certain factors speak for an favorable course and a higher life expectancy in MS: The prognosis is better for those affected who live in the Age under 35 develop MS symptoms for the first time. It is also favorable if the first Symptoms only affect sensitivity and not the motor function. Short relapses, in which the symptoms regress completely, are also prognostically favorable. In addition, studies have shown that the later the progression of MS, the better the outcome and life expectancy Conspicuousness in the MRI images or the nerve conduction velocity become visible.
All these indications are natural statistical values and the individual course may differ. Every affected person experiences their own history of the disease and reacts differently to therapies. It can help very much, if affected persons in MS support groups together and tell their stories. Many patients experience new hope and strategies in dealing with the MS disease this way.
If you yourself or a relative are affected by MS, we recommend contacting a self-help group in your area.
Improvement of a multiple sclerosis course
In MS, the Relapse therapy and the course-modifying therapy differentiated. The course-modifying therapy is intended to reduce the frequency and intensity of relapses and thus slow down the overall progression of the disease.
The course-modifying therapy is carried out with Immunomodulators or Immunosuppressants. This prevents the immune system from mistakenly attacking the body's own cells. Although MS is not curable, However, with the course therapy, a good quality of life can be made possible over a longer period of time in many cases.
Therapy for MS is complicated and there are many different medications that are used depending on the severity of the disease and individual conditions. It may be that you do not tolerate the first drug well and it takes a while until you, together with the treating physician, find a drug against MS that is suitable for you. It is usually worthwhile not to give up and to find the best possible therapy for you in the long term.