What helps manage flare-ups and brain fog in MS?

Question

Hello doctor,

My friend was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a few years ago, and lately, she has been experiencing more frequent flare-ups.

Is this a sign that her condition is worsening?
Could it be triggered by external factors like stress or weather changes?
She has also been feeling a lot of brain fog and memory issues. Are these common with multiple sclerosis, and what can she do to manage them?
She is currently on medication such as Interferon Beta-1a and Dimethyl Fumarate, but she is wondering if there are alternative treatments or supplements that might help.
How can she balance staying active without overexerting herself?
And are there any warning signs she should watch for that indicate a need to adjust her treatment plan?

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understood your concern.

Multiple sclerosis is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. It cannot currently be cured, but treatment can often help manage it.

There are many possible symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Everyone with the condition is affected differently. Some of the most common symptoms include:

Feeling extremely tired (fatigue).

Problems with your eyes or your vision, such as blurred vision or eye pain.
Numbness or a tingling feeling in different parts of the body.
Feeling off balance, dizzy, or clumsy (uncoordinated).
Muscle cramps, spasms, and stiffness.
Problems with memory and concentration.
Erectile problems.

Symptoms may come (called "flare-ups" or "relapses") and go (called "remissions"), and may get worse over time.

Tests include:

Checks on your movement, coordination, vision, balance, and reflexes.
Blood tests.
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan to see if there is damage to the nerves in your brain or spinal cord.
Taking a small sample of spinal fluid from your lower back using a needle (lumbar puncture).
Tests that use small sensors attached to your skin to measure how quickly messages from your eyes or ears travel to your brain.

Treatments include:

Steroid medicine to reduce swelling and help nerves work better.
Medicines called disease-modifying therapies are used to reduce the number of relapses you have and how serious they are.
Muscle relaxant medicine to help relieve muscle spasms, cramps, or stiffness.
Medicine to treat pain, vision problems, and other symptoms.
Treatment and support of symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
You will also be offered treatment and support for the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Every person's needs will be different depending on their symptoms.

Support includes:

Advice about how to manage tiredness (fatigue).
Physiotherapy and exercises to help with movement problems and muscle pain.
Mobility equipment (including walking sticks, frames, and wheelchairs) and home adaptations (such as stair lifts or railings) to help you with day-to-day activities.
Cognitive behavioral therapy to help with anxiety, depression, and fatigue.
Activities to improve your memory, concentration, thinking, and mood (cognitive rehabilitation).
Advice, exercises, and medicines to help with bowel or bladder problems.

I hope that this answers your query.

Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.