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For clinical
trials and research into possible new treatments
for MS, please
see Research.
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MS can be treated
in a variety of ways. First, there are treatments (disease
modifying therapies) that impact the underlying disease. Second, there
are medications (steroid-type therapies) that decrease
the severity of a relapse.
Third, there are therapies that help ease many
MS related symptoms. Progressive
MS is more difficult to treat but some approaches are helpful.
The types
of MS in which relapses (attacks) are still happening
can often be treated by one of the disease modifying therapies.
They are also known as immune modulating therapies. At times,
it may also be useful to treat MS relapses while they are
occurring using steroid-type therapies.
In addition, many MS
symptoms can be helped through a combination of medication
and attention to a healthy lifestyle including exercise and
a balanced diet. The availability of new treatments is increasing
steadily thanks to continuing research in Canada and throughout
the world. See the Research
section for more information.
Select from the links below to find
out more about each type of therapy:
Disease modifying therapies
Health Canada has approved five therapies
that reduce the frequency and severity of MS relapses and
have a positive impact on the development of disability.
They are:
For more information about each
therapy, please see:
Novantrone
(mitoxantrone) is sometimes used as a disease modifying therapy
although it is not specifically approved in Canada to treat
MS.
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Treating Progressive MS
While there are treatments for relapsing-remitting
MS, the development of treatments for primary and secondary-progressive
MS has been slower. It is more difficult for investigators
to show that a therapy is actually effective in slowing the
progression of the disease. However, research is making headway.
Novantrone® (mitoxantrone)
is sometimes used to treat people with worsening relapsing-remitting
MS, people with secondary-progressive MS and people with progressive-relapsing
MS. People with the progressive forms of MS also benefit from
managing MS symptoms
and attention to a healthy
lifestyle.
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Treating MS Relapses
Relapses (also called exacerbations
or attacks) are often treated with steroid-type drugs such
as ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), prednisone or intravenous
methylprednisolone to reduce the severity of an individual
attack of MS particularly in the earlier stages of the disease.
They are of no value during progressive stages and may even
produce harmful side effects. Long-term use should be avoided.
For more information see MS
Attacks: What they are and what you can do about them.
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Managing MS symptoms
Symptoms of MS are unpredictable
and vary greatly from person to person and from time to time
in the same person. Symptoms develop depending upon which
part of the brain and spinal cord MS is affecting. Visit
MS symptoms and how to manage them under Multiple Sclerosis.
In addition, please see the section on symptoms in Multiple
Sclerosis: Its effects on you and those you love.
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Healthy living with MS
Healthy living is much more than treatment
of the disease. It also means staying as healthy as possible
by paying attention to diet and exercise, developing a strong
support network of family and friends, satisfying work and
leisure activities, contributing to the community and paying
heed to individual spiritual needs.
For more information on a healthy approach to life with MS,
visit Tips
for living with MS under Multiple Sclerosis.
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Complementary and alternative therapies
Some people with MS turn to complementary
and alternative medicine (CAM) to help them manage the effects
of multiple sclerosis. There may be risks associated with
different types of CAM, including negative interactions with
MS therapies. It is important that people with MS let their
doctors know they are using other kinds of medications or
health products. To learn more, visit our section on Complementary
and alternative medicine (CAM).
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