Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory neurological disease that can
generate a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms. Multiple
sclerosis involves the deterioration of myelin, a substance that
surrounds the body’s nervous cells. Myelin has a very important role in
the transmission of nervous impulses, and if this substance is
affected, the entire activity of the nervous system is seriously
compromised. Although the actual causes of multiple sclerosis remain
unknown, there are several hypotheses that present genetic
abnormalities as the main factors responsible for causing the disease.
Medical scientists believe that multiple sclerosis occurs on the
background of inherited genetic predispositions, and environmental
factors are suspected to be triggers of the disease. Some hypotheses
also introduce viral infections in this scenario, although infections
with viruses don’t seem to contribute to the development of the
disease.
Multiple sclerosis can affect the body on different levels. The
majority of people with multiple sclerosis suffer from dysfunctions of
the muscular system, while others also develop neuropsychological
dysfunctions. Multiple sclerosis usually generates a wide range of
symptoms: body weakness, pronounced fatigue, muscle numbness, poorly
coordinated moves, poor balance. People affected by multiple sclerosis
can in time experience decreased visual acuity, mental states of
confusion and even short-term memory loss. People with multiple
sclerosis can also suffer from depression, which is common in more than
80 percent of patients with the disease.
Although there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, most medical
treatments can alleviate the symptoms generated by the disease, also
preventing their recurrence. However, the majority of medications
prescribed in long-term multiple sclerosis treatments (beta interferon,
corticosteroids) can generate many side-effects, causing additional
damage to the body. Hence, it is best to avoid following long-term
treatments with potentially-harmful drugs. In many cases, multiple
sclerosis therapies can ameliorate physical symptoms just as well,
without using any drugs. Considering the fact that most symptoms
generated by the disease are linked to the musculoskeletal system, the
majority of multiple sclerosis therapies are focused on improving
muscular mobility and tonus through physical exercise. Multiple
sclerosis therapy through exercise can help patients regain their
strength, coordination and balance, alleviating muscular pain, numbness
and stiffness.
The majority of multiple sclerosis therapies involve recuperative
physical exercises and medical gymnastics. Other forms of multiple
sclerosis therapies include recreational physical activities, such as
swimming, jogging or the practice of different sports. Most people who
have followed such multiple sclerosis therapies have experienced an
amelioration of their physical symptoms and have improved their overall
health condition. Although medical treatments are required for most
patients, people who follow multiple sclerosis therapy need smaller
doses of medications. Combined with an appropriate diet and a healthy
lifestyle, multiple sclerosis therapy through exercise can be very
benefic.
