Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressively debilitating disease that is believed to be caused by the body’s immune system attacking its own nerve cells (neurons). The resulting damage prevents communication between the brain and nerve cells, and may lead to weakness, vision loss, spasticity and paralysis.

Treatment of MS focuses on maintaining the patient’s mobility and independence for as long as possible. It does this by slowing or temporarily halting the progress of the disease, reducing the frequency and severity of attacks, and treating the symptoms when they occur. There is no cure for MS.

Many of the medications used to treat MS are called disease modifying medications (or immunosuppressants), which act to reduce the immune system’s attacks on the nerve cells. Interferon beta-1b and interferon beta-1a are some of the most frequently prescribed MS medications. They slow the progression of the disease and reduce the length of relapses.

Glatiramer acetate is a MS medication that blocks the destruction of myelin, a fatty substance that helps conduct nerve signals. Mitoxantrone is typically used for the treatment of cancer, but it also reduces the number of relapses that some MS patients experience. It may cause severe side effects and it is usually only used for two to three years.

In 2006, monoclonal antibodies were re-approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of MS. They help block the nerve damage caused by the disease, but have also been associated with the occurrence of a rare brain disease.

Additional medications are available to treat the symptoms of MS. Corticosteroids reduce nerve inflammation during relapses, limiting their length and severity. Medications may also be prescribed to treat individual symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, tremors and urinary tract infections.

When medications are unable to treat the symptoms of MS, surgery may be necessary. There are several devices that may be implanted into the body that provide relief from symptoms. Symptoms that can be improved with implanted devices include tremors, spasticity, incontinence and urine retention. Having the devices may help patients regain some degree of control over many body functions.

Patients with MS may also go through rehabilitation to regain and maintain mobility and independence. Physical therapy helps patients maintain strength and flexibility and reduces fatigue, pain and spasticity. Occupational therapy aims to improve MS patients’ fine motor skills so they can perform daily activities like dressing and bathing. MS patients and their loved ones may also benefit from counseling and education to help them cope with the disease and the changes in lifestyle it causes.