Multiple Sclerosis is a horrible disease of the central nervous system. It attacks a substance called myelin which sheaths the nerves. There is interference with messages and signals between the brain and the body. This results in a wide variety of symptoms depending on the nerves effected. Often the symptoms become such that the patient becomes confined to a wheel chair due to loss of balance and motor control. Loss of bladder and bowel control contributes to the emotional sense of helplessness and depression in the patients. There is no cure for Multiple Sclerosis at this time, nor is there any absolute certainty as to its cause.
Interestingly, Multiple Sclerosis was virtually unknown in China until 30 years ago. Around that time, cases began to appear in some of the larger cities. Early studies attributed the cause of the disease to the stress of modern living and the pollution common in larger cities. A careful review of available clinical studies and papers concerning Traditional Chinese Medicine's view of the causation, prognosis, and treatment of Multiple Sclerosis, reveals that there is still some disagreement. It is clear, however, Chinese Medicine offers no claims of being able to cure the disease.
The use of acupuncture in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis is geared toward two goals. The first is to bring as much relief of the symptoms as possible. The second goal is to enable the patient to be able to manage the disease in a way that allows them to fully experience the joy and splendor of human existence. There are many indications that these goals have a good chance of success through a combined approach of acupuncture, diet restriction, and mild exercise.
Acupuncture treatments for Multiple Sclerosis have had much success in reducing pain and decreasing spasticity. Another area of success is improved bladder and bowel control. The reduction of stress and the improved feeling of well being contribute to an improvement in quality of life. The acupuncture treatments must be given frequently in order to maintain the improvements of symptoms, but Multiple Sclerosis is known for its cycles of remission. During periods of remission, the frequency of the acupuncture treatments can be reduced.
The reaction of Western medical practitioners to the use of acupuncture in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis is mixed. Some recognize that acupuncture tends to release endorphins and peptides that modulate the transmission of sensory information through the central nervous system. The clinical results of many patients have shown control of symptoms and stress reduction and a positive outlook are seen as important to the overall treatment. Many doctors have admitted that, at the very least, acupuncture does reduce stress and improve the sense of well being. A very few in the Western medical field stubbornly refuse to admit that acupuncture can be helpful and cite dangers from infection and the transmission of HIV through the use of needles. These concerns are extremely minimal in acupuncture when a qualified and certified acupuncturist is involved.
Heredity is the first of the known risk factors for Multiple Sclerosis. If no one has Multiple Sclerosis in your family, then your chances of having MS are only 1 in 750. Having a parent or sibling with MS increases the odds to 1 in 100. If you have an identical twin with MS, your chances are 1 in 4, although both twins do not always have MS. For this reason, many researchers believe that Multiple Sclerosis is not just a genetic disease, although heredity does affect the chances you will have it.
Environmental factors are the second risk factor for Multiple Sclerosis. Research shows that bacteria and viruses, especially at certain ages, can increase your chances of having MS. Alone these infections should not cause MS, but when combined with other risk factors for Multiple Sclerosis, especially heredity, they can greatly increase the odds of having it. The infections that could be related to MS are measles, herpes, chickenpox, rubella, mononucleosis, chlamydia, and some types of flu. These may have the most risk when they are contracted as a teenager.
Geography is the third risk factor in Multiple Sclerosis. For some unknown reason, MS is more common in temperate climates such as Europe, southern Canada, northern United States, and southeastern Australia. This geographical factor seems to be most important during puberty.
Gender is the fourth risk factor for Multiple Sclerosis. Women are 2 to 3 times more likely than men to have MS. This is believed to be due to hormonal differences. Men who smoke are twice as likely as men who do not smoke to be diagnosed with MS.
Age is the fifth risk factor for Multiple Sclerosis. Usually MS is diagnosed to people between 20 and 50. It is possible to be diagnosed during childhood or after the age of 50, but this age range seems to be the most critical.
The sixth risk factor in Multiple Sclerosis is giving cow's milk to babies. This is a newly discovered risk, and the reasons are not yet known. It may be proven in the future to be in no way linked to MS. Pediatrician's advise against cow milk for infants under one year of age, anyway, so it would be best to be careful. Breast milk is believed to be the best food for infants because it helps the brain develop faster and more fully. This may be the link between cow's milk and MS, since the brain would not be as developed.
Heredity is probably the only risk factor for Multiple Sclerosis that may cause the disease on its own, but combining several of these factors together may greatly increase your odds. Since many of these things are beyond your control, if you meet several of these risk factors for Multiple Sclerosis, you may want to consult a doctor. At the least watch for any symptoms related to the disease. Anything you can due to reduce your chances or your loved one's chances of meeting these risk factors for Multiple Sclerosis would be worth the effort.
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