Natural Treatment For MS Sufferers

By Jerri Perry


One of the most potentially debilitating central nervous system diseases is multiple sclerosis (MS). Characterized by structures known as plaques in the brain and spinal cord, visible on an MRI scan, are diagnostic of the disease. Symptoms include numbness and tingling of the extremeties, blurred vision and weakness. As the disease progresses, urinary problems come into play. While the condition remains incurable, a number of natural treatment for MS can control symptoms and hold back relapses.

MS is regarded as an autoimmune disorder because T-cells of the immune system attack the body's own myelin. Myelin is a substance in the brain and spinal cord that surrounds and insulates neural cells, thereby increasing the speed of nerve conduction over what it would be in the absence of myelin. There is a pronounced regional distribution of the disease, with cases clustering closer to the poles and away from the equatorial region.

Scientists used to think that multiple sclerosis was restricted to the white matter in the brain and spinal cord. Now, it appears that the grey matter is affected as well, which explains the diffuse damage that gives rise to cognitive problems or "brain fog." Epidemiologists are now trying to understand the geographical distribution of the disease. Interestingly, people who are born in "MS-free" zones and migrate into a zone where the disease is prevalent are prone to the disease.

George Jelinek, a professor of Emergency Medicine in Australia, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 45. He keeps his condition under control using a few simple lifestyle rules and runs a 5-day retreat at the Gawler Foundation in Australia for patients with multiple sclerosis. He also runs retreats in New Zealand.

Jelinek has five simple rules: Learn how to meditate, exercise regularly, take high doses of vitamin D and completely avoid trans fats, apart from those that occur naturally in vegetables. Conventional medications are permitted. In fact, Professor Jelinek himself takes glatiramer, an immunomodulator.

Ann Romney, married to the 2012 Republican candidate for president, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after she reported the disturbing brain fog. Diagnosed in 1998, she finds that riding horses helps to fight off her symptoms. She may well observe some of Jelinek's other rules. It is unclear whether she has been to one of his retreats. When a television news reader scoffed at her for making this public, Neil Cavuto, a senior executive at Fox News, tore the anchor a new one for making fun of Mrs Romney. It turns out that he, too, has multiple sclerosis.

Jack Osbourne, son of Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, has also been stricken with the disease. He was diagnosed in 2012 after suffering from impaired vision. He had just turned 26 and had also just become a father for the first time. His symptoms are responding to healthy diet and lifestyle changes. Other celebrities affected by multiple sclerosis include country singer Donna Fargo, Annette Funicello, a former mousketeer and star of 60s beach movies, and two of the Osmonds, Alan and David.

There is a promising natural treatment for MS in Europe. It consists of an extract of two compounds found in marijuana called cannabinoids. The drug is available as an oral spray, similar to breath freshener, and it is used to combat the spasticity that is associated with multiple sclerosis.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment