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Multiple Sclerosis – Types, Diagnosis and Management Options

Multiple sclerosis or MS is an immune-mediated inflammatory disorder that affects myelinated axons in the central nervous system. It damages the myelin and axon to varying degrees and causes major physical disability in more than 30% of individuals within 20-25 years. Multiple sclerosis is distinguished by symptomatic periods that happen months or even years apart and impact various anatomic regions.

Multiple Sclerosis – Types, Diagnosis and Management Options
It is also known to be one of the leading causes of disability among young individuals.

Types and stages of multiple sclerosis
MS is classified into four types:

Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)
This type of MS is identified by a single, initial episode with symptoms surviving around 24 hours. If another episode occurs, a doctor can identify relapse-remitting MS.

Relapse-remitting MS (RRMS)
RRMS is the most frequent type of MS, which is diagnosed in around 85 percent affected persons. It is characterized by episodes of new or growing symptoms, succeeded by periods of remission in which symptoms disappear partially or completely.

Primary progressive MS (PPMS)
PPMS is characterized by steadily worsening symptoms with no initial relapses or remissions. Some individuals may witness periods of stability when their symptoms intensify and then improve. PPMS affects about 15% of patients with MS.

Secondary progressive MS (SPMS)
SPMS people will initially undergo relapses and remissions, but the disease will begin to advance slowly.

Multiple sclerosis signs
The initial symptoms usually appear between the ages of 20 and 40. Usually, patients with MS experience episodes, often known as relapses, when their disease deteriorates substantially. They are commonly accompanied by recovery periods in which symptoms improve. In the case of others, the condition worsens with time.

Early symptoms of multiple sclerosis involve:

vision issues
numbness and tingling
aches and spasms
weariness or weakness
dizziness or issues with balance
bladder problems
sexual incapacity
cognitive issues

Multiple Sclerosis secondary symptoms
Secondary MS symptoms are not produced by the primary cause of multiple sclerosis signs (demyelination). They are the side effects of the body’s reactions to it. Numerous symptoms could emerge, including physical weakening due to lack of activity, increased tension, and emotional difficulties.

Lesser-known multiple sclerosis symptoms
These multiple sclerosis signs are less likely for those with multiple sclerosis. Various symptoms can appear during relapses or exacerbation. In addition to the symptoms listed above, multiple sclerosis can include:

loss of hearing
Seizures
uncontrolled tremor or shaking
breathing difficulties
loss of flavor

Multiple sclerosis treatment
There is no specific cure for MS, but various treatments could effectively manage and alleviate symptoms. The multiple sclerosis treatment you require will be determined by the particular symptoms and issues you are experiencing. It could include:

Relapses are treated with short courses of steroid options to expedite the healing process.
Different therapies for various MS symptoms like injectables, oral treatment options (depending on the type of MS).
Disease-modifying therapy is used to lessen the number of relapses.

Disease-modifying treatments could also assist in decreasing or lessening the general severity of disability in persons with relapsing-remitting MS and certain people with primary and secondary growing multiple sclerosis who have relapses.

Unfortunately, no cure is available to decrease the progression of primary progressive multiple sclerosis or secondary developing multiple sclerosis with no relapses. Besides, several therapies are currently being explored to treat progressive MS.

Multiple sclerosis medications
Among the other therapies that are used to cure, certain multiple sclerosis medications can slow the impact of MS symptoms or aid with nerve damage. They included beta interferon (Avonex, Betaseron, and Rebif), Cladribine (Mavenclad), among others.

Multiple sclerosis diagnosis
No particular multiple sclerosis test can diagnose the condition. The physician may use a variety of tests to examine the affected people. These could include:

Blood tests are used to rule out infections that cause symptoms similar to Lyme disease and AIDS.
Balance, coordination, eyesight, and other functions are tested to assess how well your neurons operate.
An MRI is a test that produces detailed images of the tissues in your body.
Cerebrospinal fluid (the liquid that cushions the brain and spinal cord) analysis (CSF). Specific proteins are commonly seen in the CSF of people with MS.
Evoked potentials are methods used to measure the electrical activity in the brain.
Optical coherence tomography is a technique used to identify changes in the retina that may indicate brain atrophy.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, resulting in various symptoms such as impairments with vision, arm or leg mobility, feeling, or balance. It is a chronic disorder that can sometimes lead to severe disability but can also be managed with timely treatment. The symptoms can be treated in many circumstances; however, multiple sclerosis patients have a slightly reduced average life span. However, a patient with this disorder who undergoes appropriate treatment and leads a healthy lifestyle can continue to live a couple of years as someone without MS.

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A habitual process, mediation helps to train the mind to be more focussed by redirecting thoughts. Many people use meditation techniques to increase self-awareness. Some people use mediation as a way to alleviate stress and increase concentration levels. Whatever be the purpose of mediation, the process comes with a lot of benefits. Here are some of the well-known benefits of mediation and how it affects the brain. Improves sleep cycle Nearly everyone suffers from insomnia once in a while. Some experience a persistent lack of sleep. The reasons for a disrupted sleep cycle can be severe stress, anxiety, and worrying. Often racing thoughts and severe emotional distress can also cause insomnia. Medication helps in dealing with insomnia. However, by focusing all thoughts, meditation can be beneficial in controlling racing and runaway thoughts. Moreover, it will release the tension and help the mind and body relax, leading to improved sleep quality. Those who meditate often have better REM sleep and tend to fall asleep in a shorter time. Reduced perception of pain Everyone’s brain perceives pain with different intensities. However, when one is extremely stressed out or anxious, one’s perception of pain may be higher than usual. Pain receptors are directly linked to the emotional state of mind. When one incorporates regular meditation in their everyday routines, it can be effective in controlling pain sensations. With mindfulness meditation, pain can be alleviated. Moreover, the quality of life also improves. Those who suffer from chronic pain may find meditation useful as it lowers the risk of depression. Those who meditate have been known to develop higher tolerance towards physical pain. Improved concentration levels Mindfulness meditation increases the ability to focus on the present. It is similar to weight-lifting, but for the brain. This can improve concentration levels required for the other tasks in everyday life. According to research, mindfulness is linked to one’s ability to process new information. It gives a boost to emotional regulation, memory, and learning ability. Moreover, this can help in reversing patterns of worrying and wandering minds. All of this can give more clarity, allowing greater decision-making capability. Meta-awareness and attention can be trained through mindfulness meditation and focused-attention meditation. Lower risk of age-associated memory loss With meditation, there is improvement in attention. In addition, there is improved clarity of thought. A form of meditation that involves repeating a chant or mantra has been known to improve neuropsychological performance. Along with chanting, the meditating process also involves repetitive motions of the fingers. This helps to focus thoughts. Moreover, different forms of meditation have been known to boost memory, attention, and mental agility, especially in older adults. Along with slowing down age-related memory loss, meditating can help to control stress that is often a major contributor to memory loss. Better management of depression and anxiety Dwelling on anxious thoughts is one of the major factors contributing to depression. With mindfulness meditation, the mind can be trained to focus on the present. Practicing mindfulness over a longer duration can alleviate anxiety. It also helps in easing symptoms of depression. In many cases, meditation is often a part of comprehensive mental health treatment plans. From correcting troubled sleeping patterns, appetite loss, and moodiness, mindfulness-based mediation can go a long way in making it easier to manage anxiety and depression. Better self-esteem Mindfulness and meditation encourage a person to slow down. These practices help to follow deeper self-reflection. Along the way, a person gains the ability to discover positive attributes about themselves. A person is able to examine their feelings, emotions, and thoughts without any judgment. This boosts self-awareness. It also helps in improving social anxiety symptoms. All of these help in gaining a better sense of self-esteem.
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Tibetan prayer beads

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If you have been practicing meditation or yoga for a long time, you probably have come across prayer beads. You can find these Buddhist beads, alternatively referred to as Tibetan prayer beads, in sculptures or paintings of Buddha where he is seen holding these beads. Although it is quite a common sight, few actually know about Tibetan prayer beads. This article elucidates on some important points related to prayer beads. Prayer beads have been used across the globe for thousands of years. They play a vital role in various cultures and countries for meditation purposes. Some records claim that beads were first noticed in Nepal and India. They have been used across different religions, such as Catholicism and Hinduism, among others. Advantages of prayer beads Prayer beads can help you with various aspects of meditation, a practice that provides numerous health benefits. Meditation can contribute to lowering blood pressure, improving sleep, and reducing stress levels. However, many people face difficulties while meditating, particularly at the start. This is when prayer beads prove to be useful, as they keep you focused while meditating. The constant movement of your fingers around the beads helps in grounding you. When you touch each bead, you say a chant so you can keep a count of the number of times you have repeated the chant. Composition of prayer beads Traditionally, they consist of 108 beads along with a guru bead, which has a tassel and is bigger than all the other beads. How significant is the number of beads Usually, traditional Tibetan prayer beads have 108 beads. This number is considered sacred in Buddhism and Hinduism. However, if you feel that 108 is a lot, you can purchase a necklace with 27 or 54 beads. Some necklaces have beads of different shapes after the 27 th bead. So, you can keep track of your repetitions efficiently. Such prayer beads also allow for shorter meditation periods. How can you use prayer beads for meditation? Breath control and repetition of the chant are two key starting points while using prayer beads during meditation. It is advisable to focus on your breathing while meditating. You can use prayer beads for managing your breath by: Holding the prayer beads in one hand Allowing the beads to drape around your fingers so that you may move them with ease Inhaling and exhaling one full breath Moving the fingers to the next bead; breath in and out once for each bead Concluding at the guru bead to finish 108 breaths Moving your fingers in the other direction until you again reach the guru bead if you wish to do another round. While following these steps, you may repeat a chant, which can be a sound, word, or phrase to be aware of during meditation.
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Buy bean bag chairs to relax in style

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Natural Remedies for Depression

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