how Multiple Sclerosis works/attacks the body. Also what the medication does to help. I’ve been diagnosed with it and it’s a lot to take on when info comes at you in medical jargon.

Question

And before anyone says – yes I know I need to speak to my doctors etc, but I just need a starting point so I can go from there.

In: Biology

Answer 1

OP, sorry to hear of your diagnosis, I know it must be daunting right now, and good on you for getting better educated about your condition and prospects!

In essence, like any autoimmune disorder, MS is a condition where the body mistakenly attacks parts of itself – here, the covering (myelin sheath) of your nerve cells.

Others can speak more to current medical protocol so I will just throw in some other lifestyle components, ie, things you can do to help limit what is essentially a stress and inflammatory response on your body:

– Limit stress

– Limit heat (both via climate and overheating via exercise)

– There is some good evidence that in conjuction with standard protocol, an anti-inflammatory diet can be helpful in limiting flare-ups. (Note I am *not* saying to do this instead of clinical support but rather together with it!) In general this usually equates to “mostly vegan, some oily fish”, but you might wish to look into it yourself. The impact of the gut biota on many inflammatory responses, from the immune system to mood disorders, is a really exciting realm of research we’re only at the beginning of exploring.

– Obviously proactive things like good sleep, work/life balance, meditation or other stress-reducing activities are helpful in managing any chronic condition as well!