RoboLegs Developed for Stroke Patients Can Be Used for MS Therapy for Learning to Walk Again

Dutch scientists make 'RoboLegs' for stroke patients, which can also be used for MS therapy to help people with Multiple Sclerosis learn to walk again.

Scientists in the Netherlands are using robotic legs to try to improve the movement of stroke patients, which could also be used for helping Multiple Sclerosis patients learn to walk again.

The prototype device is called the Lower-extremity Powered ExoSkeleton, or LOPES, and works by training the body and mind of a patient to recover a more natural step.

The machine is also being tested on spinal injury patients who have recovered some restricted movement in their legs.

It is hoped a commercial version could be made available to rehabilitation centres around the world as early as next year.

This information was posted on September 23, 2011.

Click on the link to read more http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14823404

Leave us your comments and let us know what you think about this interesting development.

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Study Reveals MS Vitamin for reducing attacks in Multiple Sclerosis

This MS vitamin sounds promising, according to a more recent study, for helping to reduce attacks in Multiple Sclerosis.

Glucosamine-Like Supplement Suppresses Multiple Sclerosis Attacks, Study Suggests 

ScienceDaily (Sep. 30, 2011) — A glucosamine-like dietary supplement suppresses the damaging autoimmune response seen in multiple sclerosis, according to a UC Irvine study. 

UCI's Dr. Michael Demetriou, Ani Grigorian and others found that oral N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), which is similar to but more effective than the widely available glucosamine, inhibited the growth and function of abnormal T-cells that in MS incorrectly direct the immune system to attack and break down central nervous system tissue that insulates nerves. 

Study results appear online in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. 

Earlier this year, Demetriou and colleagues discovered that environmental and inherited risk factors associated with MS -- previously poorly understood and not known to be connected -- converge to affect how specific sugars are added to proteins regulating the disease. 

"This sugar-based supplement corrects a genetic defect that induces cells to attack the body in MS," said Demetriou, associate professor of neurology and microbiology & molecular genetics, "making metabolic therapy a rational approach that differs significantly from currently available treatments." 

Virtually all proteins on the surface of cells, including immune cells such as T-cells, are modified by complex sugar molecules of variable sizes and composition. Recent studies have linked changes in these sugars to T-cell hyperactivity and autoimmune disease. 

In mouse models of MS-like autoimmune disease, Demetriou and his team found that GlcNAc given orally to those with leg weakness suppressed T-cell hyperactivity and autoimmune response by increasing sugar modifications to the T-cell proteins, thereby reversing the progression to paralysis. 

The study comes on the heels of others showing the potential of GlcNAc in humans. One reported that eight of 12 children with treatment-resistant autoimmune inflammatory bowel disease improved significantly after two years of GlcNAc therapy. No serious adverse side effects were noted. 

"Together, these findings identify metabolic therapy using dietary supplements such as GlcNAc as a possible treatment for autoimmune diseases," said Demetriou, associate director of UCI's Multiple Sclerosis Research Center. "Excitement about this strategy stems from the novel mechanism for affecting T-cell function and autoimmunity -- the targeting of a molecular defect promoting disease -- and its availability and simplicity." 

He cautioned that more human studies are required to assess the full potential of the approach. GlcNAc supplements are available over the counter and differ from commercially popular glucosamine. People who purchase GlcNAc should consult with their doctors before use. 

Lindsey Araujo and Dylan Place of UCI and Nandita N. Naidu and Biswa Choudhury of UC San Diego also participated in the research, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. 

If all goes well, time with tell if this turns out to be something that can help more people with Multiple Sclerosis for reducing the number and frequency of attacks, but this may still be worth considering at a future date.

MS Circulation Problems Resulting from a Fall

When it comes to MS circulation problems, there can be more than one cause to blocked blood flow in Multiple Sclerosis.

One of the problems that may be causing blocked blood flow or poor circulation in the veins, can include a condition called Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency or CCSVI for short.

Initially, it appears that CCSVI appears to be present in approximately 50% of patients diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis around the world, but these are based on the results of the initial conclusions from the studies, which were done with MS patients, in Buffalo, NY and with other studies done so far in other countries around the world.

This statistic may change as further data is being collected to determine what may be causing the CCSVI condition and to determine where to go from here, when it comes to the process needed to be done to correct these blood flow blockages, along with the possible complications and ways to avoid them for what could be associated with the process.

CCSVi is only one of the considerations when it comes to MS circulation problems.

Other blood circulation problems for Multiple Sclerosis patients can result from a partial or total loss of the abilities to stand, balance or walk for any length of time.

One such problem can result from the inability to walk or stand much at all for a longer period of time.

This can result in reduced blood flow to the legs, which can result in:

* possible skin break down on the legs

* edema or swelling of the legs from fluid pooling in the legs

* reduced flexibility of veins in legs, ankles and feet

* reflux or poor function of the valves in the veins in the legs, especially behind the knees, lower legs and ankle regions

* blood clots can form from in the legs, ankles or feet from the inactivity

The other concern when there is reduced ability to stand, balance or walk is the possible problems that can result frequent falls from loss of balance or from knees collapsing from reduced function of the nerves in the legs, knees, ankles or feet.

Falling and landing on things, like tables and chairs, or even the floor or the ground can result in damage to the veins and reduced blood flow or even cause a more severe trauma that reduces greatly the blood flow to the muscles or nerves or can also result in blood clots forming.

Any type of reduced blood flow to the nerves in the legs, ankles or feet can result in neuropathy or nerve damage, which can be mistaken for a nerve function problem, when it is really based on a blood flow problem.

Reducing the blood flow to the nerves or the muscles can reduce the abilities of these parts of the body to function as they should.

If you are curious or want to cover the bases on determining why you have neuropathy in your legs and/or feet or if you have a reduced ability to stand or walk, or you are unable to walk, it might be worth being evaluated by your vascular doctor, especially if you have fallen at all.

Depending on the damage to the veins, or if there are blockages present in the larger veins, angioplasty can be done to open up the blood flow, supplying blood to the legs, ankles and feet.

It might be worth considering, but discuss this with your vascular doctor and/or maybe even your neurologist, in case there is something else that needs to be done to help you to regain more of your abilities to stand or even walk.

Considering these type of things is all part of the process in determining what may be able to help you when it comes to MS circulation problems, compared to MS nerve function problems.

Not all nerve function problems are related to circulation problems, but when it comes to Multiple Sclerosis, determining what is going on with each separate case of MS is half the challenge in finding ways to help you to regain more of your abilities to function again.

If you have found this information helpful or if you have anything else you would like to say related to this topic, please leave us your comments.

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MS and Teeth Infections from Having A Root Canal

When it comes to MS and teeth problems, there is this disturbing trend that root canals done are all too often done improperly or not completed entirely.

Not cleaning out the root of the tooth entirely can contribute to the build up of pockets of bacterial infections in the teeth.

As a result, this can contribute to chronic health conditions, like Multiple Sclerosis, so says Bernie from DAMS International.

According to Bernie, when a root canal is done and the cavitations, or the holes left where the root of the tooth has been removed, are not cleaned out properly or if the root canal fails, this can cause anaerobic bacteria to accumulate in the tooth over time.

Tooth extraction sites can often also fail to completely heal due to failure to properly clean out the socket.

This type of problem is unfortunately more extremely common, than was thought previously.

The resulting accumulation of bacteria in the tooth can be a major factor in chronic health conditions, including cancer and degenerative neurological conditions, like Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, etc.

Mercury from mercury-containing silver amalgam fillings can also be a source of MS and teeth problems, since the silver colored amalgam fillings each contain approximately 50% of mercury in its composition.

When there are mercury containing silver colored amalgam fillings in the mouth, chewing can release the mercury, which can often result in higher levels of mercury in the saliva, in the blood or the mercury level can build up in the bone, nerves, hair and nails.

Mercury in higher concentrations in the blood can result in attacks on the nerves through out the nervous system and contribute to nerve dysfunction, similar to that of Multiple Sclerosis.

Both failed root canals or improperly done root canals, and the bacterial build up in the root canal tooth are more likely sources that can contribute to symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, as is the presence of mercury in mercury containing silver amalgam fillings.

I found this information to be worth considering to have these problems taken care of correctly to help resolve possible causes that may be contributing to chronic conditions, such as Multiple Sclerosis.

To read the full article, go to www.flcv.com/damspr11.html

If you have found this information helpful or if you would like to add anything related to this topic, please leave us your comments! We would love to hear what you think!

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Understanding What to Look for with MS Cooling Vest or Multiple Sclerosis Cooling Vest

When it comes to purchasing a MS cooling vest or Multiple Sclerosis cooling vest, what do you need to keep in mind for finding one that works for you?

Not all cooling vests work for people with Multiple Sclerosis.

There are many different cooling products available and the best one for you depends on your personal situation, activity and environment.

The main types of cooling systems are listed below, along with their advantages and limitations and on whether they can help you find relief when it comes to Multiple Sclerosis heat related problems.

* Evaporative Cooling Vest

Key Advantages: Light weight, low cost, excellent cooling in dry climates, cools for many hours

Key Limitations: Requires soaking the garment in water, poor performance in high humidity climates, lowest overall cooling energy.

NOT EFFECTIVE FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS!

* Cold Pack Cooling Vest

Key Advantage: Very high cooling energy for moderate cost, light to moderate weight, effective cooling in all climates, cools for up to 4 hours depending on environmental conditions, may be used under clothing.

Key Limitations: Requires access to a freezer and time for the packs to freeze

Helpful for Multiple Sclerosis, but requires longer time to freeze the ice packs and doesn't stay as cold as long as the phase change, since the water in the ice packs thaws out faster than the phase change ice packs, but this will work for MS cooling if you can't afford to buy the cooling vest with the phase change ice packs.

* Phase Change Cooling Packs cooling vest

Key Advantage: Controlled release of a constant temperature of 58 degrees F or 14 degrees C, packs may be recharged in ice water, no freezer required, effective cooling in all climates, but the ice packs do freeze faster and stay colder longer if placed in a freezer or a cooler with ice water in it. Can be re-cooled much quicker than water ice packs and stays colder for a longer period of time. Cools for up to 3 hours.

Key Limitations: Weight a bit higher and cost higher, than water ice packs, but is colder for longer and easier to get ice packs cold again, once they thaw out than with water ice packs.

Some health insurances will cover purchasing this type of cooling vest, but often you have to purchase the cooling vests with the ice packs first and then provide the needed documentation, with the help of your doctor, to your health insurance to justify the purchase to them so that your health insurance can reimburse you for the purchase if the cooling vest.

* Active Cooling cooling vest

Key Advantage: Most effective deep cooling, adjustable cooling, light weight vest and provides extended cooling between reservoir charges. The system will provide many hours of cooling before the ice and water needs to be recharged.

Key Limitations: High cost, tethered system that requires power and an ice water reservoir.

This type of vest makes it so that you can't move around from one location to another, since you need to plug into a power source and carrying around the reservoir makes it less useful. The other problem is that you need to periodically add more ice to the reservoir for the cooling vest to keep you cool.

This type of cooling vest will work for MS cooling, but the price is so high that most health insurances won't cover the cost of purchasing this type of cooling vest.

When it comes to purchasing a MS cooling vest or Multiple Sclerosis cooling vest, search around online first to see what is out there, and then call and ask questions to find something that will work for you.

Cooling vests for Multiple Sclerosis are effective ways to cool off and beat the heat with Multiple Sclerosis to help you to function better, in spite of the heat, but even if you are wearing a MS cooling vest, be sure to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated, since if you do not drink enough water, you can still have a problem with feeling dizzy, nauseous or feel like passing out from you getting too dehydrated.

Wearing a cooling vest doesn't mean that you still shouldn't drink cold water, during hot weather.

Click on the link if you would like more information about natural ways that we have found to help calm down more of the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis -- MS natural

If you have found this information to be helpful or if you would like to add any other information, related to this topic, please leave us your comments! We would love to hear from you!

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MS Cooling: Tips for Beating the Heat!

Hot weather can be unbearable for people with Multiple Sclerosis.

Finding ways for MS cooling is vital for reducing the effects of heat on aggravating your symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis.

Overheating with Multiple Sclerosis can make you feel like any of the following:

* lightheadedness or dizziness

* nauseousness or throwing up, when more severely overheated.

* trouble catching your breath

* fainting spells

* trouble cooling off

Overheating can aggravate MS symptoms including:

* nerve pain

* numbness

* reduce balance or abilities to stand and/or walk

* increase fatigue

* increase vision problems

* increase number of infections, with increasing running fevers

* increase possibility of MS attacks or relapses

What can help you with cooling off with Multiple Sclerosis, when the weather gets too hot for you to handle it?

Click on the link to read more -- MS cooling

Leave us your comments, if you have found this information helpful or if you want to add anything else about this topic. Your comments are important to us!

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MS and Coffee or Multiple Sclerosis and Coffee

Is MS and coffee or Multiple Sclerosis and coffee drinking a good idea?

After you have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, could drinking coffee or eating foods containing coffee, as an ingredient, cause problems with aggravating the symptoms of MS?

There are pros and cons, when it comes to drinking coffee or eating foods that contain coffee, as an ingredient, after you have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

Not all caffeine is the same. Coffee metabolizes differently, than the caffeine in chocolate or tea or other foods or drink, but there are a few things that drinking coffee can aggravate, when it comes to also having Multiple Sclerosis.

Drinking coffee or eating other foods that contain coffee can cause some MS symptoms to become worse, especially if coffee is something that you drink most days of the week.

Click on the link to read more -- MS and coffee

If you have found this information to be helpful, or if you would like to add anything else about this topic, please leave us your comments! We would love to hear what you think!

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MS News and MS CCSVI What Next?

At this point, there is still much talk about the MS news or MS CCSVI connection.

The initial study of Dr. Paolo Zamboni, released the results of a 2 year study in 2009, which suggested that there may be a link between MS and CCSVI, a condition where there are blockages in the veins of the neck or the upper chest, which prevent the blood draining away from the brain in people, diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

Dr. Zamboni's initial study, in combination with the results from the Buffalo, NY study of 2010 of MS patients revealed that people, diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, have a much higher incident rate for the presence of CCSVI, than people who weren't diagnosed with MS.

How does any of this apply to you, who have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis?

Does this idea about the potential MS CCSVI link apply to the majority of people, diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis?

According to the MS CCSVI study performed in Buffalo, NY in 2010, there appears 50% of the people with MS in the study appeared to have the condition of CCSVI.

But further studies need to be done to confirm these preliminary findings, in the exploration into the theory of the possible link between MS and CCSVI.

Click on the link to read more -- MS news

If you have found this information to be helpful, or if you would like to leave a comment related to Multiple Sclerosis, please leave us your comments! We would love to hear from you!

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Reversing Multiple Sclerosis Neuropathy or MS Nerve Damage Using Vitamin B12?

When it comes to Multiple Sclerosis neuropathy or MS nerve damage
is there anything natural or alternative that can help to reverse the
damage to the nerves, or at least reduce the problems with the
nerves functioning?

That is one of the big questions, when it comes to Multiple Sclerosis.

I have been searching for something myself, when it comes to
reversing or at least reducing the peripheral neuropathy or nerve
damage or nerve function problems, which my doctor has told
me for several years that I have had a major problem with,
since I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

I am excited to say that I think I found something that is
helping to reduce the nerve function problems in my legs,
feet, hands, and arms in many ways.

What is it that can help??

Vitamin B12 is a natural way to help repair nerve damage...at least
that is what information I found, while doing my own research for me.

I am so excited to let you know about what I am finding
that taking extra of vitamin B12 is helping with, when it
comes to Multiple Sclerosis neuropathy or MS nerve damage.

I'm not totally sure that taking the higher doses of B12 will reverse
the nerve damage totally or the peripheral neuropathy, just yet, since
I have only been taking extra vitamin B12 myself for 2 weeks, but
since I started taking the extra B12, I have already found that my
legs and feet and hands are functioning so much
better than they have for years.

If you are at least curious as to how I have found that taking
the extra B12 is helping me with nerve function, then...

Click on either link to find out more -- Multiple Sclerosis neuropathy or MS nerve damage

If you have found this information to be helpful to you, or if you have anything else that you would like to add, about this topic, leave us your comments and let us know! We would love to hear what you think about this topic!

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B12 and MS: What form of B12 Helps Reverse MS Nerve Damage?

When it comes to B12 and MS, can taking B12 help to reduce or even reverse MS nerve damage?

I am so excited to tell you about what I am finding with taking higher doses of vitamin B12, how it is helping with reducing, or maybe even reversing MS nerve damage and increasing how well my nerves are functioning with Multiple Sclerosis.

I have had several problems with my nerves not functioning as they should because of the more severe effects of Multiple Sclerosis attacks on my body, which taking the higher dosage of vitamin B12 has been helping to reduce.

Taking a higher dose of vitamin B12 has been helping in several ways, but taking the B12 only helps if you take it in certain forms and in combination with B complex.

Click on the link to read more -- B12 and MS

If you have found this information helpful or if you would like to add anything further, leave us your comments! We would love to hear what you think about this topic!

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MS CCSVI: Dr. Hubbard connects Multiple Sclerosis to CCSVI theory

Check out this video about a neurologist's point of view of Multiple Sclerosis and MS CCSVI, after his son is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

This video discusses another way of doing a "study" for people, diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in connecton with the blood flow blockages to the veins in the the neck or the upper chest that has been called chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency or CCSVI.

This video discusses another way to classify studies for MS and CCSVI, as data collection, that focuses more on the venous insufficiency rather than the Multiple Sclerosis.

This way of viewing the blood flow blockages appears to allow for legitimate funding for the study, that is being done, while making it possible for more of the costs of testing and having the procedure done to open up blood flow blockages to be covered by insurance, rather than making it so the the MS patients have to cover the cost of the testing and the procedure.

This is the first study that is being conducted in this way with MS patients and the venous blood flow blockages, but there is the potential for this type of study to become a way of doing more studies throughout the USA, making it possible for doctors to collect more data, scientifically, while allowing MS patients to be able to be tested and evaluated for CCSVI, as well as actually having the procedure done too.

Click on the link below to watch the video for more details.

http://www.komonews.com/home/video/106175483.html?tab=video

Interesting, but only available in San Diego, CA area at this point.

Have you heard about this, yet?

Please leave your comments, as to what you think about this video or if you know anything else about this.

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Multiple Sclerosis Bladder Control Problems and MS Bladder Infections

Multiple Sclerosis bladder control problems and MS bladder infections can create many problems for people, diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

MS bladder control problems can include:

* Bladder Not Draining

* Bladder Leaking

* Night time Incontinence

* Stress Incontinence

* More Frequent Bladder Infections

There are alternative and natural ways to help combat bladder infections with MS.

Click on the link to read more -- Multiple Sclerosis bladder

If you have found this information to be helpful or if you would like to add any other comment related to Multiple Sclerosis, please leave us your comments, so that we can better assist you.

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MS Sleep Apnea Pillow To Aid With Full Face CPAP Mask

The MS sleep apnea combination and the use of a continuous positive airway pressue or CPAP mask can take some getting used to.

Although there are many different kinds of CPAP masks and machines on the market, there are 2 main types of CPAP masks.

One covers just the nose and uses a chin strap to keep the mouth closed, so that the person wearing the mask breathes through their mouth, while they sleep.

The second kind covers both the mouth and the nose, so that if the mouth is kept open while you sleep, the CPAP mask still works at helping to keep the airway open, while the person sleeps.

The CPAP mask that cover just the nose is typically tried first, by the sleep clinics to see if it is helpful to the wearer of the mask, but the problem is that if the mouth is not kept closed while you are sleeping, then the CPAP mask is not effective in keeping the airway open during sleep.

The CPAP mask that covers both the nose and the mouth is used for people who sleep with their mouth open while they sleep or for people with allergies, which cause sinus congestion, which can restrict the person from breathing through their nose only while they sleep.

The nose only CPAP mask is easier to keep sealed while moving around while you sleep, especially if you move around while you sleep.

The nose and mouth CPAP mask doesn't seal very well, if you move around more when you sleep.

Because I tend to get more violent leg spasm, because of the effects of Multiple Sclerosis, whenever I try to roll over when I am sleeping, I have trained myself not to roll over while I sleep.

Adding teh MS sleep apnea combo, and sleeping with the sleep apnea mask and machine, and getting comfortable, while you are sleeping becomes even more of a challenge

In spite of the fact that I don't roll over in my sleep, I do tend to move my head from side to side, while I am sleeping.

If you tend to sleep on your side or if you tend to move your head from side to side, while you are sleeping, this can shift the full face mask enough that the mask doesn't seal as it should, or it can blow air in your eyes, which can wake you up many times a night.

There are adjustable straps on the CPAP masks to loosen or tighten to make a better seal with the mask to prevent major leaking to help the mask work better.

One of the problems you can have with tightening the straps is if you make them too tight so that you either get frequent headaches in the morning or you end up with marks on your face from the mask being too tight.

One of the things that I have found, that helps, if you were a full face CPAP mask (the mask that covers the nose and mouth) is to use a CPAP neck pillow.

The neck support CPAP pillow, that I found that works very well at supporting the neck and allowing moving your head from side to side or for sleeping on your side when you sleep with a full face CPAP mask was one I found online.

Once you go to the website for the CPAP neck pillow, scroll to the right of the screen.

If you are interested in finding out more about the CPAP neck pillow or where to purchase one for yourself that I found that works --

Click on the link -- sleep apnea CPAP neck pillow

If sealing the CPAP mask becomes more of a challenge, as far as keeping the positive pressure air from blowing into your eyes, there is a small additional comfort piece of soft plastic or rubber that can be purchased to help reduce this problem.

To find out more about this or to purchase one for yourself --

Click on the link -- CPAP comfort Pad

Click on the link to find out more about -- MS sleep apnea

Note: I do not gain anything from you going to or purchasing from these sites, I merely want to help you who have MS sleep apnea to find ways to reduce the problems, which tend to accompany wearing a CPAP mask, for alleviating the problems often associated with sleep apnea.

If you have found this information to be helpful or if you would like to add anything else, please leave us your comments.

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Reducing Multiple Sclerosis Infections Using MS Diet Changes?

Multiple Sclerosis is known for weakening the immune system, but can using MS diet changes help to greatly reduce the infections, the majority of Multiple Sclerosis patients tend to struggle with?

Alkalizing the pH of the body can help in a big way for reducing the severity and frequency of the majority of infections when it comes to Multiple Sclerosis.

To read more click on the link -- MS diet

We would love to hear from you, please leave us your comments or tell us about your concerns with Multiple Sclerosis!

We are here to help you to find out more about MS and to help you find ways for you to find relief to the effects of Multiple Sclerosis!

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Reducing Spasticy Multiple Sclerosis Can Include As MS Symptom

Spasticity Multiple Sclerosis patients tend to experience can include what is called spasms, tremors, twitching, or tics.

But what is Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity or MS Tremors, MS Spasms or
MS Twitching anyway?

Spasms, tremors, twitching or tics are different names for the uncontrollable movement of the arms, legs, hands or feet, which are often a big problem for the majority of people, who are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis each year, in many different countries around the world.

Twitching, spasms or tremors are like a knee jerk reaction, when the doctor hits your knee with a small hammer to test your reflexes, but in the majority of the cases of Multiple Sclerosis the spasticity is more out of control and more random and can occur too frequently.

Spasticity Multiple Sclerosis patients may experience can be mild to severe and can be more frequent or only occur every so often.

The spasticity can be so severe that it can almost throw you on the floor when it happens, if you don't hang on to something.

What can help to reduce the spasticity MS patients can experience?

Click on the link to read more -- spasticity Multiple Sclerosis

We would love to hear if you have found this information helpful to you.

Leave us your comments!

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Dirty Electricity or Electromagnetic Radiation Causes Multiple Sclerosis?

When it comes to what causes Multiple Sclerosis, there is much
speculation, as to its causes.

But, when it comes to studies and researches over the last
several years into the effects of electrical disturbances and
the effects of dirty electricity on Multiple Sclerosis there
are a few reports, which actually appear to verify their
more drastic effects on causing the symptoms of
Multiple Sclerosis to become much worse.

Click on the link below to find out more about how
dirty electricity and other electromagnetic
frequencies can affect Multiple Sclerosis
or be some of the sources for what causes Multiple Sclerosis

We would love hear from you!

Please leave us your comments, questions or concerns.

We want to help you to find more of the information
about Multiple Sclerosis and other related topics.

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MS Grief and MS Stress, After the Loss of A Loved One

When it comes to MS grief, the death of a loved one, relative or even close friend can be very traumatic.

After the initial shock has set in...now what?

Often the death of a relative or someone, who you live with, can mean drastic changes in your living arrangements or in how you are going to survive after the traumatic event itself.

It is tough enough dealing with the stress that the death of a loved one, relative or someone, whom we were close to, can bring but other stresses can also present themselves by the worry and stress that may also follow by you having to move or having to change drastically what you are able to physically do from day to day, which can increase the stress and its effects on actually setting you up for more MS attacks, excitations or relapses.

Stress along can aggravate or even cause more MS attacks or relapses to appear, which can set back your recovery from previous relapses, but to have too many of the typical stressors that can enter our lives to occur way too closes together...

...this can even be more than your body can handle all at once when Multiple Sclerosis is present.

But what can you do to reduce the internal and external stress that you feel, if this is happening to you?

The following tips can help you to minimize the stress and survive the tougher times in life that are closer to a traumatic experience, like the death of a loved one, a relative or close friend.

Tips on surviving MS grief and the stress of your life changing after the death of a loved one can include:

* Admit it yourself and maybe even others around you that you don't like the changes going on in your life, while it happening.

All too often we can either deny how we feel or act like we have to be strong and just accept it.

Just because things sometimes happen to us, which are out of our control, doesn't mean that we have to like it.

* Do what you feel that you need to do for you to get through it all.

Sometimes we need to sort through physical objects or things that belonged to the person that died and that can be a tough job.

This is especially harder to do, if you have a shorter period of time or a deadline that you need to meet by when you need to be done doing this.

But sometimes, just getting it done and working through the grief later can cause us to stress out much less than if we think about every little thing as we have to do it.

* Allow yourself to grieve, when the stress starts to build up to be too much for you to handle.

Crying is a good outlet of our emotions, when the stress becomes too much for us to handle.

Allow yourself some time to think through things...as in re-evaluate where you need to or want to go from here.

The death of someone close to us can make us re-evaluate our lives.

That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but we need to figure out what is really important to us in our lives.

Death has a way of helping to clarify what is important to us in our lives.

* Find a support network, support group or other friends that you can talk to about the feelings that you are going through, who will be supportive and let you "talk it out".

Find an MS support group or a grief counselling group to help you to work through the MS grief.

* Do what you can to help improve your situation in some way.

Sometimes this is easier said than done, but doing something, even if it seems small can help to relieve the internal stress or even the external stress that you are feeling, while going through moving or changing something in your daily life, after the death of a loved one, relative or close friend.

Clean if you need to.

Sort through things if you need to.

Throw things out or give things away if you need to.

Prepare to move if you need to.

Do whatever you need to do for you to get more order back in your life.

* Be thankful for who is still in your life, who is supporting you and helping you through this stressful time for you.

Sometimes, it helps to change your perspective, when you make an effort to be thankful for those who help you through the trying and stressful times in your life.

It may seem difficult at first to be thankful, when you are going through MS grief, but the attitude of gratitude can make all of the difference in you making through the stress, without you suffering more major MS attacks or relapses.

* Don't sit and drive yourself crazy over analyzing things or thinking through things over and over without doing something.

It's okay to think about things...we all need to do this from time to time in our lives, but don't set yourself up for major depression to set in by driving yourself crazy about everything that is stressing you out.

I'm not suggesting not to grieve, for it's part of the healing process, but allowing yourself to focus on becoming upset about everything that is changing in your life after the death of a loved one, relative or close friend will just set you up for more MS relapses or attacks to occur.

When you internalize the stress rather than finding ways to work through it and find ways to go on living life again, this increases the adverse effects on your body by causing your nervous system to short circuit even more than the Multiple Sclerosis can cause by itself.

I'm not suggesting that you forget the person that has died, but to the contrary...

...for the sake of the person that you were close to, who has died, find a way to go on living as a tribute to how much they loved you and how much you loved them.

Your mind has a strong connection to your physical body.

You can use your thoughts and/or your emotions to help guard your body from more harm, because of the effects of MS grief on your body, or you can use focus your thoughts and your feelings for a prolonged period of time in a negative way, which can greatly impact how severe the MS relapses and attacks can become.

We would love to hear what you think!

If you have found this to be helpful or if you have any other comments, leave us your comments.

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Coping With MS Grief, and Stress After Death of Loved One

The added stress from the death of a loved one is tough enough to deal with, when you don't have Multiple Sclerosis added to the mix, but when it comes to MS grief it is so much tougher on your body, since the added stress can cause much more severe MS attacks, if you don't find a way to cope with it.

That means that it is so much more important for you to allow yourself to grieve for a period of time, since that is definitely a needed thing, but then you have to find ways to cope with the grief and the added stressors, to allow yourself to heal from the inside out -- including body, mind, soul, and spirit.

That is one of the things that need to be kept in mind that you allow yourself to heal and grieve as is needed to prevent bottling up your emotions and all of the stress that you feel on the inside.

Because if you do bottle it all up inside, this will make you become much sicker because of the way that Multiple Sclerosis and the effects of stress over stimulate the nervous system and actually cause the nervous system to short circuit.

Death is a part of the circle of life, but the added stress experienced after the death of a loved one is even worse for people, who are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

If you don't find a way to deal with the stress, the added stress can set you up for a more severe MS attacks.

MS grief can aggravate the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis and cause them to become much worse.

But what can help with reducing the effects of grief on Multiple Sclerosis, when there is a death in your family or of someone that you were close to emotionally?
Even though there is no easy answer for this one, don't despair about you being able to work through the grief and cope with it for you.

Facing working through grief is something that all of us have to deal with in life, whether we have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis or not, after all death is part of the cycle of life.

There is a time to be born, a time to live and a time to die.

It's part of being human.

It's just that when it comes to Multiple Sclerosis, it's much more vital that you find ways to work through the grieving period without it impacting the Multiple Sclerosis in a way that can set you up for more severe MS attacks or relapses.

Although there is no "one size fits all" answer for dealing with grief, I do think that the tips listed below can help to some degree.

For tips on coping with the stress that grief can cause, which can aggravate MS attacks, if left uncheck...

Click on the link to read more -- MS grief

Leave us your comments, if you found this post helpful or if you would like to add more to the topic of discussion. We would love to hear from you.

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Tips For MS Cooling and Beating Effects of Heat on MS Symptoms

When it comes to MS cooling and the effects of heat on aggravating the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, hot weather can become unbearable or even down right dangerous for those of us diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

Finding ways to reduce how overheated you can become with Multiple Sclerosis is vital for reducing the MS symptoms that are aggravated by the effects of heat on your nervous system.

But what can help you with cooling off?

Well...I myself have also been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and when a heat wave strikes (where the temperature outside soars to above 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above 32 degrees Celsius for at least 3 days in a row) --

...then it is very difficult for me too to cool off to reduce the problems that do tend to occur from the effects of heat on aggravating the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis.

If you don't have a pool or can't get in a pool or you can't drive or for some other reason you can't find something to help you with finding relief to the heat, then what can you do?

What can help you with cooling off with Multiple Sclerosis, when the weather gets too hot for you to handle it?

Click on the link to read more -- MS cooling

If you have found this blog post to be helpful to you, or if you have anything else you would like to add, please leave us you comments, since we would love to hear from you!

Remember -- KEEP COOL, my friends!

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What Is MS and How Does CCSVI Blockages Relate to MS?

What is MS or what is Multiple Sclerosis?

This question is often one of the first questions that is asked, after someone is newly diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

Currently, Multiple Sclerosis or MS is still classified as an autoimmune disorder, where the body becomes confused and attacks itself, as if it is a foreign invader, that it needs to protect itself from.

Multiple Sclerosis is known for attacking the nervous system, especially the spinal cord and/or the brain, which often results in scarring that interferes with the nerves being able to function as they should.

But there was a recent breakthrough discovery announced towards the end of 2009, where Dr. Paolo Zamboni of Ferrara, Italy announced his findings of 2 year study that was conducted with 120 MS patients in Ferraro, Italy.

Dr. Paolo Zamboni, a vascular surgeon, conducted a study, in conjunction with a neurologist, where 120 MS patients were evaluated and found to have at least partial blockages to the veins, which drain the blood away from away from the brain.

Dr. Zamboni's results and conclusions from the study brought up the idea that MS may include a problem with a blockage to the blood flow away from the brain, through partially blocked veins in the neck (jugular veins) or addition veins near the shoulder blades and arm pit regions, which help to drain the blood away from the veins on the side of the neck.

Dr. Paolo Zamboni found that the majority of patients in the 2 year study had blockages of veins in the neck (one or both of the jugular veins, as well as veins that help the jugular veins to drain), which restricted blood flow from leaving the brain as it should.

This resulted in high iron levels in the brains of most of the MS patients and could possibly be contributing to the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, which the patients were experiencing.

Dr. Zamboni developed a surgical procedure he called chronic cerebral venous insufficiency or CCSVI, where a thin a catheter was inserted in the blocked veins and after the restriction was removed, the majority of the MS patients that under went the surgical procedure showed improvement.

Other studies have been done in the USA and a few other countries around the world to try to duplicate what Dr. Zamboni did with the patients in his study, but a much lower percentage of patients in the USA were shown to have the blockages. Not all of the MS patients, who underwent the same type of procedure as the patients in Dr. Zamboni's study, showed such remarkable improvements or results at such a high percentage., as the MS patients did, who were in Dr. Paolo Zamboni's study group.

In spite of all of the skepticism that resulted after further studies were performed in the USA and in other countries, which had mixed results that were not easy to draw good conclusions from, the CCSVI surgery seems to have many of the patients, who were found to have the restricted blood flow, who underwent the surgery, similar to the procedure that Dr. Zamboni developed for MS patients, have experienced some improvements in their MS symptoms from removing the restriction to the blood flow leaving the brain.

When it comes down to the studies that were done on MS patients in the USA and the other studies that were done in other countries around the world there are 2 things that should be noted about all of this.

First of all, the overall medical community has not fully accepted Dr. Zamboni's findings or conclusions, based on the results of the MS patients that were in the 2 year study that was conducted in Ferrara, Italy.

Especially when it comes to the majority of doctors in the USA. This breakthrough in MS research hasn't changed the definition as to what medical doctors overall are defining the answer to the question "What is MS?"

Medical doctors, generally in the USA, think of Dr. Zamboni's findings as being very speculative, at best and not proven by rigorous medical standards of double blind placebo studies and the like.

Secondly, the results and conclusions, which Dr. Zamboni received with the study that he participated in with 120 MS patients had an very high percentage of MS patients who had the blockages to blood flow present and had the CCSVI procedure done,

were not able to be duplicated with similar results for the same kind of percentage results of the number MS patients that were found to have the blockages, compared to those who did not have the blockages and with the same or similar percentages of the number of MS patients that under went the procedure that had positive results from having the CCSVI procedure done that helped to reduce their MS symptoms and

But there are doctors scattered about in the USA, who will at least work with you to help evaluate you to help you to find out if you do have the blockages that Dr. Zamboni found in the majority of the patients of the 120 MS patients, that were in the Ferraro, Italy study.

After keeping up on the continuing developments of Dr. Zamboni's continuing work, I think that the blockages that he found in MS patients are at least a consideration for each of us, diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, depending on our symptoms of Ms.

Since I was having big problems with passing out or fainting spells, my doctors thought that it was a good idea for me to be evaluated, since this could have been a potential explanation for me passing out so frequently over a period of more than 2 years.

But it was found, after running ultra sound tests, that I didn't appear to have any of the type of blockages that Dr. Zamboni saw in the study he was involved in.

So it still stands, when you ask a doctor "What is MS", that the prevailing theory still is that Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder, which appears to be even more of a mystery to doctors across the board.

Multiple Sclerosis attacks the nerves through out the nervous system, as well as the membranes that line certain parts of the body, like the membrane called the Blood Brain Barrier, which surrounds and protects the brain.

MS is known for attacking and causing damage to the spinal cord and/or the brain.

Scarring can result from the MS attacks and depending where the scarring ends up being, this can cause a whole list of symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis.

To learn more, click on the link -- what is MS ?

If you found this information to be helpful, or if you would like to leave any comments, we would be happy to hear what you think.

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Finding Ways To Help Reduce MS Nervous System Effects

Reducing MS nervous system effects can be a challenge, since Multiple Sclerosis is not well understood as to what causes it and what can help to reverse its effects on the nervous system.

Multiple Sclerosis is known to attack the central nervous system and cause damage to either the spinal cord or the brain or both, as well as attack other nerves throughout the body.

Repairing nerves or reversing nerve damage is not very well understood either, but medical research within the last 10 years is finding out more and more that the nerves can be retrained by exercising the muscles that are attached to them.

It is like retraining the nerves and stimulating them at the same time, so that when the exercises are done consistently over a period of time, the nerves are gradually retrain and actually redeveloped, where they were once damage.

Exercise isn't the only thing that can help to regenerate and repair the MS nervous system damage, but exercise along with dietary changes, reducing stress, getting more rest and using other natural and alternative ways to work with the body can help the body to recover more of its abilities to function again, after the effects of the MS attacks have cause damage to different parts of the nervous system.

Natural and alternative ways don't fight against the body, like using prescription drugs do, and they don't result in the side effects that are typically associated with prescription drugs either.

Natural and alternative ways do take some time to work though and they are not a quick fix, but at least, most of the time, they do help more for coaxing the body into healing itself from the effects of Multiple Sclerosis, at least that has been our experience.

Depending on what the effects of Multiple Sclerosis on the nervous system that you are dealing with, not all natural and alternative ways work for every one with MS, since the alternative and natural ways are not cure-alls or anything like that.

But to the favor of natural and alternative ways, more doctors are turning to more complimentary ways of helping their MS patients to find relief to their symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis.

This means that more doctors are considering using natural and/or alternative ways either by themselves or in combination with using the prescription drugs, which are often prescribed for Multiple Sclerosis patients.

As a result, more MS patients are finding relief to more of their symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, in addition to finding that more of the effects of MS are also beginning to be reversed.

Maybe natural and alternative ways are at least worth considering for reducing the effects of Multiple Sclerosis on your nervous system to help you to find relief from MS.

To read more click on the link -- MS nervous system

If you found this information to be helpful, or if you would like to leave us your comments, we would be happy to have you leave your comments.

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Challenges of Using A CPAP Sleep Mask For Reducing Problems with MS Sleep Apnea

It can be challenging to wear a continuous positive airway pressure sleep apnea masks and machines or CPAP machine for taming the problems associated with MS sleep apnea.

There is more than one type of sleep apnea. Depending on which type of sleep apnea that you have, there are quite a few different kinds of CPAP sleep masks that can be used for reducing the effects of the sleep apnea or for even getting the sleep apnea under control.

When it comes to the CPAP mask and machines, which help the person with sleep apnea to breathe better while they are sleeping, there are many different ways that the masks and machines are made.

But basically the majority of CPAP masks fall into 2 general types of masks.

One type of CPAP mask covers the nose, but not the mouth and the other type is considered a full face mask, where it covers both the nose and the mouth.

When we sleep, breathing through our noses helps us to get more oxygen to our brains and into our blood while we sleep.

Those of us, who tend to breathe more through our mouths, when we are sleeping, tend to have a much lower level of oxygen being supplied to our brains and to the rest of our bodies from the oxygen levels in our blood, which circulates through out our bodies.

The reduced levels of oxygen in our bodies and our brains can greatly reduce the abilities of our brains and our bodies to function as they should normally.

Often the CPAP mask that covers only the nose is tried first, during the overnight CPAP sleep study to see if it helps us to be able to get adequate levels of oxygen while we are sleeping.

At times, the CPAP mask that covers the nose only does not help enough, since if allergies are present or if you tend to breathe through your mouth while sleeping, the full face mask is needed to boost the oxygen levels back to the level that is needed to help your bran and your body to function as they should.

Mouth breathers often have an obstruction in the nose, throat or some other part of the airway or they can have a problem with congestion from allergies, which can prevent them from being able to breathe through their noses only.

If sleep apnea is suspected, an over night sleep study is done with you to determine if sleep apnea is present.

Multiple Sclerosis can set us up for sleep apnea to develop, since MS is known to attack the nervous system and cause many parts of our bodies and our brains not to function as they should.

Once it is determined that sleep apnea is the problem that you are having problems with, another overnight sleep study is done to determine which type of CPAP sleep mask will work for your particular type of sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is basically where for one reason or another, the person stops breathing temporarily several to many times a night, while they are sleeping.

Most often the breathing problems occur while the person is lying down to sleep, but sleeping while sitting up in a chair can sometimes cause the restricting of the airway too that can cause breathing problems while sleeping.

Difficulties, which can present more problems with MS sleep apnea, while you are trying to get used to sleeping with a CPAP sleep mask can include:

Allergies can cause congestion

Congestion can make it difficult to breathe through your nose.

To use a sleep mask that covers only the nose, you need to be able to sleep with your mouth closed. This can present a problem when allergies are present.

Chin straps can be used to help to keep the mouth closed when using a sleep mask that only covers the nose, but the congestion can cause a problem that can prevent being able to drain the congestion enough for you to be able to breathe through your nose and not your mouth.

We unconsciously breathe through our mouths when we are congested.

Sleep masks do have filters on them, but some only come with 1 filter and some have 2 filters.

The sleep masks with 2 filters work better for those who have allergic reactions, since 1 filter removes dust and other particles from the air and the second one removes molds and other airborne pathogens, which can help reduce allergic reactions while sleeping.

It is best if you can clean up the room that you sleep in to remove as much dust, mold and clutter to minimize clogging the filters on the masks and to help reduce possible allergens in the room that you sleep in.

When it comes to MS sleep apnea, getting used to wearing a CPAP sleep mask when sleeping can be difficult.

Typically, problems encountered when getting used to sleeping with a sleep apnea CPAP mask can include:

* Difficulty getting used to sleeping with the mask on your face

We can unconsciously find it uncomfortable at first, when we first start wearing a CPAP mask to sleep at night to help us to breathe better when we sleep at night, especially if you have never had to wear a mask on your face before..

* Claustrophobia

This is the fear of not being able to breathe with the mask on your face or fear of the feeling of being closed in or too restricted.

This can be more of a problem if you need to wear a full face sleep mask, since there are also ones that just cover the nose and not the mouth.

* Sinus congestion or problems with Allergies

This can make it difficult for you to breathe through your nose when sleeping.

We get much more oxygen to our brains and into our bloodstream, when we breathe through our nose and not through our mouths, while we are sleeping.

But this problem can also make it so that we can't use the type of sleep apnea mask that covers the nose only. This can make it so that we need to use a full face CPAP or sleep mask.

* Difficulty breathing more deeply and more regularly

Sleep apnea already comes with the characteristic where we stop breathing temporarily a few to several times when we are sleeping at night.

This can just add to the sleep apnea problem or it can be a major contributing factor to the sleep apnea problem to start with.

This type of problem with holding your breath is more of a problem where learned responses of holding your breath when you feel under stress can make it where you are not getting enough oxygen to the brain and the rest of the body.

This can be a learned response from past traumatic events in your life, where you tend to hold your breathe more often when you feel stressed out.

Finding ways to relax and de-stress the nervous system can help reduce this problem, as well as learning to breathe more deeply and more regularly.

We can retrain ourselves, while we are awake to help us to learn to breathe more deeply and regularly and then carry this over to helping retrain ourselves to do the deeper breathing, where we slow down our breathing and make it more regular to help relax our nervous system, our bodies and our minds before we go to sleep after we put on the CPAP mask.

At times, we may have difficulties retraining ourselves to breathe more regularly and more deeply while we are wearing a sleep mask, simply because we are so used to our old habits of not breathing regularly like we should be doing.

These and other problems that learning to sleep with a CPAP or sleep apnea mask can be overcome, but it does take some retraining ourselves and with changing our habits from what we did previously and it can often take a few weeks up to 1 or 2 months to get used to sleeping with wearing a CPAP sleep mask.

When sleep apnea is present, especially for more prolonged periods of time (we are talking often we can have sleep apnea problems for years before we are diagnosed), it can take time to convince ourselves that we are actually allowed to be able to get a good night of sleep every night.

This can be part of the problem too with sleep apnea

We need to give ourselves permission for us to be able to work with our bodies to allow them to relax and find sleep to be an enjoyable experience again, instead of us feeling like we are being tortured almost every night.

Getting used to sleeping with a sleep mask or CPAP mask and machine can be a challenge, but I have found that in my case of multiple sclerosis sleep apnea, that sleeping with a CPAP mask does help me most nights with with being able to actually get a very good restful night of sleep each night.

It isn't as intimidating as it may seem at first to get used to sleeping with a sleep apnea CPAP mask.

Although sleeping with a CPAP sleep apnea sleep mask is not necessarily the only solution for your case of sleep apnea to get it under control, it can help a lot with allowing you to finally get a good night sleep.

Sleeping with a CPAP mask may not be the only solution, since sometimes undergoing surgery to correct any physical obstructions, that may be creating much of the problems that contribute to sleep apnea, can sometimes help to correct the sleep apnea, so sleeping with a CPAP mask may not be needed after the surgery.

Going for surgery doesn't always fix the physical obstructions with sleep apnea either, but this may be a consideration, if using a CPAP mask doesn't seem to be helping you to sleep better at night.

If you want to at least consider if surgery can help to correct the problem you are having with sleep apnea, you can get additional opinions by visiting an ear, nose and throat doctor to see if there is a deviated septum, a problem with the tonsils or a problem with the adenoids, which could be contributing to the problem that you are having with sleep apnea.

Click on the link to read more about -- ms sleep apnea

If you find this information to be helpful or if you have any other comments or suggestions, we would be happy for you to leave us a comment.

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