Multiple sclerosis : a guide for the newly diagnosed

Cover
Title
Copyright
Contents
Preface
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Share Multiple Sclerosis: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed, Fifth Edition
Chapter 1: The History of Multiple Sclerosis
	Before MS Had a Name
	Early Cases of Multiple Sclerosis
	The Description by Charcot
	Early Therapies of Neurological Diseases
	Advances in the Twentieth Century
	The Modern Era
	The Era of Clinical Trials
	The Modern Era of Therapy
	Changing Ideas
	The Future
Chapter 2: What Is Multiple Sclerosis and How Is It Diagnosed?
	What Happens in Attacks of MS?
	The Course of MS
	Remissions in MS
	The Diagnosis of MS
	Clinical Examination
		History
		Examination
		Tests
	Watchful Waiting
	The Outcome
Chapter 3: What Is the Cause of Multiple Sclerosis?
	Theories About the Cause of MS
	Tissue Abnormalities, Infections, and the Environment: Links to an MS Cause?
	The Underlying Immune System Problems in MS
	The Role of Genetics in MS
	So, What Is the Cause of MS?
Chapter 4: What Treatment Is Available?
	Resources
	Types of Treatment
		Management of Acute Attacks
	Treatment of the Underlying Disease
		When to Begin Therapy?
		The Objective of Therapy
		Disease-Modifying Therapies
	Experimental Drugs
	Sequencing of Drug Therapy
	Vitamin D
		Stem Cell Transplantation
		Biomarkers
		Management of Symptoms
	Summary
Chapter 5: Unconventional Medicines Used for Multiple Sclerosis
	Definitions
	Evidence for the Safety and Effectiveness of Therapies
	Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine
	Unconventional Therapies Relevant to MS
		Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
		Marijuana (Cannabis)
		Chiropractic Medicine
		Cooling Therapy
		Dental Amalgam Removal
	Dietary Supplements
		Antioxidants
		Cranberry and Other Supplements Used for Urinary Tract Infections
		Echinacea and Other “Immune-Stimulating” Supplements
		Ginkgo Biloba
		St. John’s Wort
		Valerian
		Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin, Cyanocobalamin)
		Vitamin D and Calcium
	Diets
		The Swank Diet
		Supplementation with Omega-6 Fatty Acids
		Supplementation with Omega-3 Fatty Acids
	Other Types of Therapy
		Feldenkrais
		Guided Imagery and Relaxation
		Hyperbaric Oxygen
		Magnetic Field Therapy (Electromagnetic Therapy)
		Massage
		Reflexology
		Tai Chi
		Yoga
		Angioplasty of Neck Veins
Chapter 6: Practical Guidelines for Living with Multiple Sclerosis
	Where Can I Learn More About MS?
	What Should Others Know About MS?
	Who Can Answer My Questions?
	What Can I Learn from Other People Who Have MS?
	When Is Information Not Helpful?
	What About My Activities?
	What About Exercise?
	Can I Overdo It?
	How Much Should I Rest?
	What About Stress?
	Can I Develop Better Coping Skills?
	How Can I Maintain a Positive Attitude?
	What About My Relationships?
	Should I Tell People I Have MS?
	What Happens When It Is Hot?
	Should I Change My Diet?
	Should I Sleep More?
	What If I Need Surgery?
	Is Pregnancy a Risk?
	Will MS Affect My Sex Life?
	What About Driving?
	Should I Move?
	Will I Be Different?
	What About Other Questions I May Have?
Chapter 7: Coping with Multiple Sclerosis
	The Crisis of Diagnosis
	The Adjustment Process
	Resilience
	Coping Strategies
		Denial
		Intellectualization
	Educate Yourself About MS
	Choosing Your Health Care Providers
	Support Networks
	Wellness Orientation
	Children with MS
	Cultural Sensitivity
	Parting Thoughts
Chapter 8: Employment Issues and Multiple Sclerosis
	Myths About MS
	Disclosure
	Resources
Chapter 9: Financial and Life Planning
	Getting Organized
	Professional Advisors
	Taking a Financial Inventory
	Using a Health-Expense Spreadsheet
	Reviewing Your Health Care Plan
	Health-Expense Spreadsheet
		Copayment
		Deductible
		Coinsurance
		Covered Expenses
		Pre-existing Condition Exclusion Period
		Lifetime Maximums
		Prescription Drugs
	Family and Medical Leave Act
	Short-Term Disability Insurance
	Job Changes and Health Care
	Taking Control of Finances
		Developing a Spending Plan
		Looking at Investments
		Hiring a Financial Professional
		Setting Aside Money for Unexpected Expenses
Chapter 10: Research in Multiple Sclerosis: The Link to Treatments
	Research in Immunology—Uncovering the Root of the Disease
	Animal Model of MS: Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis (EAE)
		Hormones
	Genetic Research—Links to Susceptibility, Course, and Causation
	Microbiome – How Bacteria in the Gut Affect the Immune System
	Infectious Disease Research—Clues to Triggers, Causes, and Possibly Treatments
	Glial Cell Research—What Is Damaged? What Can Be Repaired?
	Regeneration and Repair
	Stem Cell Research
	Clinical Research—Treating the Whole Patient
Chapter 11: What Works and What Doesn’t: The “Ins” and “Outs” of Clinical Trials
	The Randomized Clinical Trial
	The Special Problems of MS Trials
		Placebo Effects
		The Natural Disease Variability of MS
		Understanding the Predicted Drug Effect
	Availability of Safe and Useful Therapies
	Comparison of New Treatments Against Available Therapies
	Steps in MS Clinical Trials
		Scientific Rationale
		“Preliminary” or Phase 1 Studies
		“Pilot” or Phase 2 Clinical Trials
		“Definitive” or Phase 3 Clinical Trials
		“Postmarketing” or Phase 4 Studies
	Financing Clinical Trials
	Who Participates in Clinical Trials?
	Why Can’t Some Patients Participate in Clinical Trials?
	Where Can I Learn About Ongoing Clinical Trials?
Chapter 12: How Multiple Sclerosis Organizations Can Help
	The National Multiple Sclerosis Society
	Philosophy of NMSS Programs
	Who Does the NMSS Serve?
	Quality of Life Goals
		Knowledge
		Health
		Independence
	The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
		Client Services
		Awareness Activities
		Government Relations/Social Action
		Fund Raising
		History
		MS Clinics
		The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America
		Vital Programs and Services
		The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
		The Consortium of MS Centers
		The International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses
		Can Do MS
	The MS Coalition
Glossary
Additional Reading
Resources
	Information Sources
	Agencies and Organizations
	Electronic Information Sources
Index
About the Author