Multiple Sclerosis

what is it?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, autoimmune, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and can, to varying degrees, interfere with the transmission of nerve impulses throughout the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Since identification, MS has been the subject of intense, worldwide research but still its cause and cure remain elusive. MS comes from the joining of two Greek words, ‘sclerosis’ which is a Greek word meaning “hardened tissue or scars” and ‘multiple’ meaning many, this is a very good literal translation of what happens during this disease. The disease is commonly diagnosed in people aged between 20 – 40 years of age, and commonly follows a slow progression of disability.

There are generally 4 different ways to classify MS

Relapsing Remitting MS -In this form of MS there is unpredictable relapses (exacerbations, attacks) during which new symptoms appear or existing symptoms become more severe. This can last for varying periods (days or months) and there is partial or total remission (recovery). The disease may be inactive for months or years.

Secondary Progressive MS – For some individuals who initially have relapsing-remitting MS, there is the development of progressive disability later in the course of the disease often with superimposed relapses.

Primary Progressive MS – This form of MS is characterised by a lack of distinct attacks, but with slow onset and steadily worsening symptoms. There is an accumulation of deficits and disability, which may level off at some point or continue over months and years.

Relapsing Progressive MS – This form of MS is characterised by a gradual progression of disability from the onset of the disease and is accompanied by one of more relapses.

The following diagram shows the changes to the nerve cells that happen in Multiple Sclerosis.

Natural Ways to Support Those Diagnosed With Multiple Sclerosis

Diet

Diet, often overlooked and thought in the past to have no effect on the disease, has now been proven to play an integral role in not only slowing the progression of the disease but also in improving many of the symptoms of MS, including fatigue, mobility and cognitive impairment. Emily is a qualified Wahls Protocol® Health Practitioner and integrates and tailors dietary changes into patient’s lifestyles to suit their individual needs. Those who are vegan, vegetarian or have specific dietary allergies can also adopt these dietary changes.

Stress Reduction & Mindfulness

Stress reduction and incorporating meditation and mindfulness techniques has been proven to be integral in reducing the long-term side effects of chronic stress. Meditation and mindfulness techniques improve memory and cognition and help patients better cope and integrate navigating chronic disease. Long-term practices have been shown to improve neuroplasticity as well as memory and cognitive abilities.

Nutritional and Herbal Medicine

Individual diagnostic testing is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of an individual’s nutritional deficiencies and requirements. One size does not fit all when it comes to treating chronic neurodegenerative diseases. That is why I find it imperative to determine what your body needs to support it in returning to health and vitality. I then use this information to individually tailor a treatment plan to best support your body. This might be a combination of herbal medicines and nutritional supplementation, if warranted.

Exercise

Exercise has a huge role to play in keeping those diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases healthy and mobile for as long as possible. An intervention often overlooked by natural health care practitioners, I understand the importance of staying active and keeping the deep core muscles of our bodies strong. I can advise on basic ways that you can integrate some movement and exercise at home as well as refer you to many experts in the field that I work with. As they say move it or lose it.

Signs and Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Blurred vision from optic neuritis or diplopia (double vision) due to internuclear ophthalmoplegia
Motor weakness presenting as fatigue, gait disturbances, loss of dexterity, or hyper-reflexia
Sensory disturbances such as paresthesia (tingling) or hypoesthesia (numbness)
Loss of proprioception and muscle coordination (ataxia)
Pain
Lhermitte’s sign (painful, lightning-like sensations down the back elicited by flexion of the neck),
Dysesthesia (pain from normal stimuli such as touch), or tonic seizures
Vertigo (dizziness) that appears suddenly and is severe
Intention tremor and spasticity
Heat sensitivity (Uhthoff’s phenomena), in which symptoms worsen after exposure to heat
Urinary bladder dysfunction (e.g., frequency, urgency, incontinence, retention)
Bowel incontinence
Cognitive impairment (e.g. memory loss, problem-solving difficulties)
Depression or inappropriate jocularity

How Would I Get Multiple Sclerosis?

The short answer is that science is yet to definitively answer that question. There are many factors that may increase your risks of getting MS, these may include:

First-degree relatives with MS
Head trauma in adolescence increases the risk of developing MS by 22%
Lyme disease and its co infections can cause many of the symptoms of MS and may cause de-myelination of the central nervous system
Vitamin D Deficiency
Dairy allergy
Gluten allergy
B12 deficiency can mimic many of the symptoms of MS
Specific gene mutations in the methylation and detoxification pathways may make you more prone to the disease

Prolonged Stress
Exposure to the EBV virus (Glandular Fever)
Exposure to the herpes virus
MS is more common in cooler climates: the patterns of MS that occur around the world reveal that the further a population is from the equator, the higher is the incidence of MS within that population
Possession of immune response genes (e.g., HLA-DR2)
It affects more women than men, in a ratio of about 3:1
Caucasians are affected more than any other racial group

The following diagram is my theory of how MS may develop in an individual

Potential Risk Factors and Triggers for the Onset of Multiple Sclerosis

Pathology Testing

After I take a detailed history I will discuss specific diagnostic testing that will help me to determine the driver(s) of the disease specific to you. Some of these tests may include the following:

Vitamin D levels
Lyme Disease and co infection PCR testing
CD 57 count – determines the immune load from bacterial infections
Red Cell B12 & Folate Levels
Red Blood Cell Magnesium Levels – a common deficiency in MS and causes muscle spasms and cramping
Cortisol Levels – To test for pathological levels of stress
Saliva Hormone Testing
Genetic Testing
MTHFR Gene Mutations
Candida Antibody Testing
hsCRP – This is a marker of inflammation
ESR – Another marker of inflammation levels
Food Sensitivity Testing
Live Blood Analysis
Essential Fatty Acid Membrane profile
Coeliac Disease Testing
Hair Mineral Analysis – check for Mercury levels
Homocysteine levels – indicates poor methylation and folate deficiencies
Cytokine panel – this test looks at inflammation in the body and probable causes and treatments to reduce inflammation
Nutrival Testing
White Cell Count

MS Treatment

How Can Emily Help Me If I Have MS?

I take a thorough and holistic case history to access and treat the following factors that may attribute to the onset of MS:

Stress and Stress management
Reducing systemic inflammation
Bacterial infections such as Lyme disease and co-infection treatment
Vitamin D levels and Vitamin D receptor site imbalances
Support and balance of the immune system
Support of healthy essential fatty acid metabolism
Health promoting diet specific in the treatment of MS
Reduction of oxidative damage if present
Reduce latent viral load if present
Improve and restore a healthy microbiome
Reduce food antigens in the diet
Treat sinus infections if present
Support healthy mitochondrial function
Address specific nutritional deficiencies that may be present
Improve cerebral blood flow
Address heavy metal toxicity if present

I will then discuss your options for treatment and support. I can tailor programs for those taking disease modifying medications, or those just wanting to try a natural alternative. What ever you decide personally to do with your treatment I will support you.

Treatment is likely to include a combination of dietary and lifestyle changes, exercise, meditation and mindfulness, nutritional and herbal medicine and counselling or EFT.

We work as a team to make sure that every aspect of your wellbeing is supported in a journey that promotes health and vitality.

Multiple Sclerosis does not have to be as scary as your neurologist may have you believe. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by even making the simplest of changes. So call now to make an appointment.

Emily is a certified Wahls Protocol® Health Practitioner, a holistic and scientifically researched program to help those diagnosed with MS find and treat the cause and drivers of the disease.

Modern medicine has neglected some of the simplest and most proven ways to manage MS and provide adequate Multiple Sclerosis treatments. MS treatment may include dietary changes, addressing specific nutritional deficiencies and stress management. There are now a growing number of studies suggesting that natural medicine is far more effective and safe in the early management of Multiple Sclerosis.

Emily will work with you to find the driving factor(s) that contributed to the onset of the MS disease and then we work together to implement a plan that reduces these driving factors to slow and even halt the progression of the disease.