Upcoming EventsThe most common question people newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) ask is whether there’s a diet that can help fight the disease, says Jennifer Reardon, NP, Certified Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroscience Registered Nurse at the Madlyn Borelli Multiple Sclerosis Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. While there is no proven “MS Diet,” there are many treatments including drugs and lifestyle changes that can help slow down the disease and keep patients as healthy as possible, she says.
“We have a variety of disease-modifying therapies that slow down MS,” Reardon says. “They don’t fix the symptoms you already have, but they prevent the disease from getting worse. With so much research going on today in MS, our goal is to keep patients as healthy as we can until a cure is found.”
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is thought to be an autoimmune disease, meaning the body, through its immune system, attacks its own tissues. In people with MS, the immune system attacks myelin coating around the nerve fibers in the central nervous system. This interferes with the transmission of nerve signals between the brain, spinal cord and the rest of the body, causing symptoms that often include muscle weakness in arms and legs and difficulty with coordination and balance. Most people with MS also have feelings of fatigue, as well as numbness, prickling or “pins and needles” sensations.
The cause of MS is unknown. In some people, MS can be relatively benign, while in others it is somewhat or severely disabling. MS often first appears between the ages of 20 and 40.
Diagnosing MS can be tricky. “It is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning we have to rule out other diseases with similar symptoms,” Reardon explains. “There are about 100 diseases that can have similar symptoms, including rheumatoid arthritis and Lyme disease.” The doctor may order an MRI to look for lesions on the brain or spinal cord where the myelin has been damaged.
Treating Multiple Sclerosis
Some people with MS do not need therapy. For those who do need treatment, there are a number of therapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration. There are many methods of administering MS drugs, including oral tablets, IV infusions and subcutaneous and intramuscular injections. Some medications have serious side effects, Reardon noted. “Some of these drugs partially suppress the immune system, so we have to balance their benefits with the risk of infection,” she says.
In addition to medication, there are important lifestyle modifications patients should make to improve their quality of life, Reardon says. “Reducing fatigue is very important, and there are steps patients can take that will give them more energy.”Sometimes fatigue is caused by a patient getting up multiple times during the night to urinate, which interferes with sleep. “If that’s the case, we recommend not drinking fluids in the hour or two before bedtime to get a good night’s sleep.”
If stress is interfering with sleep, Reardon recommends writing down concerns in a journal before bedtime, or writing a to-do list for the next day. She tells patients to make a realistic plan about how much they can accomplish in a day. “Everyone has a peak energy period, and for most people that’s in the morning,” she says. “I recommend that people do tasks that require a lot of thought and energy in the morning, and don’t try to cram everything into one day. If you can, take a nap during the day to combat your fatigue.”
Exercise is very important for people with MS, she notes. “We encourage people to find something to do that keeps them moving, such as swimming, yoga or Pilates.” Montefiore Nyack Hospital hosts a “Yoga for MS Patients” class on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. “It’s an adaptive class—it can be done even if you’re in a wheelchair,” Reardon says.
Although there is no proven diet to reduce symptoms of MS, Reardon recommends a heart-healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. “A protein-rich lunch is great to stimulate the mind and keep your energy going,” she says.
Treating the Body and Mind
“It’s very important to make sure patients’ mental health is as good as their physical health,” Reardon says. She notes as with many chronic illnesses, MS can lead to depression and anxiety. “We have a social worker on staff who provides counseling and connects patients and their families to support and educational programs.”
The Future of MS Treatment
Researchers are pursuing many avenues to understand what causes MS and how to find better treatments and prevention. They are investigating how the body’s gut bacteria may influence MS severity and how to protect the nervous system from MS damage. One area of research patients often ask about is stem cells, Reardon says. “It’s still very experimental, and not developed yet,” she notes. Reardon says much more research is needed before cell-based therapies become a MS treatment option. “Until then, people with MS can be greatly helped by existing disease-modifying therapies,” she says. “Together with your health care team, you can work to slow the disease, manage symptoms and maintain your quality of life.”
For more information about the services provided at The Madlyn Borelli Multiple Sclerosis Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital—designated a Comprehensive Center for MS Care through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Partners in MS Care program (link is external)—call 845-348-8880 or visit nyackhospital.org/multiple-sclerosis.
