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Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis

Doctor David Rog | Megan Burgess | Doctor John Mottershead | Doctor Paul Talbot

(2013)

Additional Information

Book Details

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis is a complex and unpredictable neurological disease usually diagnosed in early adulthood. It can affect any part of the brain and spinal cord and the symptoms can vary widely in type and severity. For many people the most disabling aspect of MS is uncertainty about the future and the unpredictability of the symptoms. Accurate information is essential to help you understand this difficult condition and minimise its effect on your life.

Written by four experts, this comprehensive book answers 315 real questions asked by people with multiple sclerosis and their families. It covers the whole range of symptoms and treatments, and offers reliable and practical advice on living life with MS.

Table of Contents

Section Title Page Action Price
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Cover
Title Page iii
Copyright iv
Contents v
Foreword: Simon Gillespie x
Foreword: Chris Jones xi
Acknowledgements xii
Introduction xiii
WHERE IS OUR EVIDENCE? xiv
HOW YOU MIGHT USE THIS BOOK xiv
1: What is multiple sclerosis (MS)? 1
HOW MANY PEOPLE GET MS, AND WHO ARE THEY? 9
2: Types and course of MS 15
TYPES OF MS 15
THE COURSE OF MS 20
3: Genetic and environmental factors in MS 25
GENETICS 26
CONNECTIONS WITH OTHER DISEASES 28
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS 33
DIET 35
WHY ME? IS IT MY FAULT? 36
4: Diagnosis of MS 39
HOW WILL I KNOW? 40
TESTS 43
RECEIVING THE NEWS 55
CONDITIONS SOMETIMES CONFUSED WITH MS 58
5: Symptoms of MS 60
6: Relapses 65
MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT OF RELAPSES 72
7: Principles of management in MS 75
CARE OR CURE? 76
THE TWO-STAGE MODEL 79
MONITORING PROGRESS 81
8: Conventional disease-modifying drugs used in MS 83
THE BENEFITS OF DISEASE-MODIFYING DRUGS 84
SIDE EFFECTS 100
IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE DRUGS 104
NON-LICENSED DISEASE-MODIFYING DRUG TREATMENTS 107
9: New disease-modifying treatments used in MS 110
MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES 112
OTHER POTENTIAL DISEASE-MODIFYING DRUGS 119
POTENTIAL ORAL (TABLET) TREATMENTS 120
10: Research 124
MEDIA HYPE 124
TYPES OF RESEARCH 126
GENETICS 128
CLINICAL TRIALS 129
POTENTIAL TREATMENTS FOR SYMPTOMS 133
CANNABIS-BASED MEDICINES 135
STEM CELL THERAPY 139
11: Complementary therapies and MS 142
WHERE TO GO 143
DIFFERENT COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES 145
12: Bladder and bowels 152
MANAGING BLADDER PROBLEMS 152
PROBLEMS WITH THE BOWELS 157
13: Pain, sensations, cramps and spasticity 160
NERVE PAIN 161
ALTERED SENSATIONS 167
CRAMPS AND SPASTICITY 172
14: Fatigue, cognition and mood 174
FATIGUE 174
COGNITIVE AND MENTAL PROBLEMS 177
DEPRESSION 181
15: Mobility (including driving), balance and tremor 185
BALANCE 186
EXERCISES 187
AIDS AND EQUIPMENT TO HELP WITH MOBILITY 194
CHAIRS AND WHEELCHAIRS 199
DRIVING 200
TREMOR 202
16: Speech problems, swallowing difficulties, and diet 204
SPEECH 204
EATING AND SWALLOWING 206
DIET AND MS 208
17: Problems with eyesight and hearing 215
EYE PROBLEMS 215
PROBLEMS WITH HEARING 217
18: Sexual function 219
19: Pregnancy and childbirth 229
MS AND PREGNANCY 230
AFTER THE BIRTH 233
BREASTFEEDING 234
20: Living with MS 236
EMPLOYMENT AND MS 236
SOCIAL LIFE 240
FINANCES 243
SUPPORT 247
21: You and your family 252
RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARTNERS 252
RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHILDREN 255
BEING A CARER 264
22: Other relationships 266
RELATIONSHIPS WITH FRIENDS 267
RELATIONSHIPS WITH HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS 269
Glossary 274
Appendix 1: Useful addresses 292
Multiple sclerosis 292
Living with MS 295
Complementary therapies 300
Carers’ organisations 303
Health Service and Government Departments 304
Appendix 2: Further reading and useful resources 306
Publications from the MS Society 306
Publications from the MS Trust 307
Books 308
DVDs 310
Appendix 3: The Revised McDonald Criteria 311
Appendix 4: ABN/NICE treatment guidelines 314
Index 317