Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis, also known as MS, is an autoimmune disease. With MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that surrounds nerves in the brain and spinal cord. The damage to this sheath breaks up or interrupts nerve signals from your brain to other parts of the body. Multiple Sclerosis is a potentially disabling condition as nerve damage takes place.
What are the symptoms?
Signs and symptoms of MS vary from patient to patient as it depends on the amount of nerve damage that has taken place.
Symptoms include:
Vision issues - blurriness and pain in one eye
Changes in gait
Loss of balance or coordination
Muscle spasms
Muscle weakness
Tingling or numbness in your arms or legs
Some people with severe MS may lose the ability to walk at all, while others may experience long periods of remission without any new symptoms.
Causes
Unfortunately, it is still unknown to medical and scientific experts why Multiple Sclerosis occurs. Research is ongoing to help identify what the causes are. There are a couple of factors that may trigger MS, they include:
Exposure to strains of bacteria - research suggests that some infections (the Epstein-Barr virus for example) can trigger MS later on in life.
Environment - Certain parts of the world have a much higher rate of the MS disease than others. As a general rule, areas further from the equator have higher rates of MS, due to receiving lower levels of vitamin D due to lower sun levels.
The functioning of your immune system.
Genetics - having a family member with the condition does increase your risk.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing MS is complex because there is no single test that can reliably detect or positively diagnose MS. This disease can also present very similar symptoms to those of other diseases and autoimmunities making diagnosis more tricky. It is usually diagnosed using what we call differential diagnosis which is where other possible diseases or disorders are ruled out, eventually leaving MS as the most likely cause of your symptoms. Some techniques for diagnosis will involve MRI, neurological examinations, blood tests and lumbar puncture. You will not be diagnosed with MS unless you have experienced at least two episodes or attacks.
How it is treated conventionally?
There's no cure for multiple sclerosis. However, treatments can help speed recovery from attacks, modify the course of the disease and manage symptoms.
How does Surrey Centre for Nutrition work with Multiple Sclerosis?
A functional medicine approach to MS will involve uncovering the underlying triggers and causative factors in the development of MS. We will build up a functional medicine timeline as a starting point along with completion and analysis of your current diet to begin to understand the triggers specific to yourself. From there we will usually recommend specific lab tests which can dig deep and uncover what we can’t see including food reactivities, chemical and toxic load and exposure, and pathogenic reactivity or underlying latent infection. All or any of the above may be implicated in the onset and mediation of your MS and we will personalise a dietary, supplement and lifestyle plan for you to target what we identify. In addition, we will often recommend stool testing to assess the health of the gut which is key in immune modulation. The diagnosis may be the same for each person with MS however the causes will be different for each person and this is where our personalised approach is essential.
Are you ready to work with us to reach your health goals?
If you or someone you know is suffering from the symptoms or conditions listed above, Surrey Centre for Nutrition may be able to help. We typically work with clients for 3-6 months depending on your health concerns. Are you interested in working with us?
Book a discovery call to see how the Surrey Centre for Nutrition can help
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