I’m going to finish up this month’s different Autoimmune Disorders by talking about Multiple Sclerosis.
Now, if you haven’t seen the prior week’s posts, you might be asking, what exactly is an autoimmune disorder?
This is what we use to describe when your body's immune system mistakenly attacks your own tissues due to a breakdown in your body's normal functioning. Basically, your body is fighting against itself and expending its valuable energy on something that doesn’t serve you.
This week I’ll be sharing more with you about what Multiple Sclerosis is and how to help to treat it.
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis also known as just MS is a disease involving the brain, spinal cord, and central nervous system where the body's immune system attacks the protective myelin sheaths that cover important nerve fibers. This can result in permanent nerve damage and poor communication between your body and brain. (Article 1.)
Currently, there isn’t a cure for multiple sclerosis, but treatments can help manage symptoms, speed recovery, and reduce pain.
What can cause or exacerbate Multiple Sclerosis?
Information referenced from the Mayo Clinic website (Article 1.)
Right now, it is believed that genetics and environmental factors can cause and exacerbate MS, but there is no clear reason as to why it develops in certain individuals.
Here are some different factors that may increase the risk of developing MS:
Age - onset usually occurs around 20 and 40 years of age.
Sex - Women are more than two to three times as likely as men are to have relapsing-remitting MS.
Family history
Race - White people, particularly those of Northern European descent, are at highest risk of developing MS.
Climate- MS is far more common in countries with temperate climates, including Canada, the northern United States, New Zealand, southeastern Australia and Europe.
Vitamin D - Having low levels of vitamin D/low exposure to sunlight is associated with a greater risk.
Certain infections - A variety of viruses have been linked to MS, including Epstein-Barr.
Certain autoimmune diseases. You have a slightly higher risk of developing MS if you have other autoimmune disorders such as thyroid disease, pernicious anemia, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.
Smoking
What are some of the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?
Information referenced from the Mayo Clinic’s website (Article 1.)
The most common symptoms are:
Numbness or weakness in one or more limbs that typically occurs on one side of your body at a time, or your legs and core
Electric-shock sensations that occur with certain neck movements, especially bending the neck forward
Tremor, lack of coordination, or unsteady gait
Slurred speech
Fatigue
Dizziness
Problems with sexual, bowel and bladder function
Vision problems are also common, including:
Partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye at a time, often with pain during eye movement
Prolonged double vision
Blurry vision
Why it’s important to address Multiple Sclerosis as soon as possible:
As with many of the autoimmune disorders we’ve talked about, most people with MS experience the disease with periods of relapse followed by uncertain periods of remission. They experience periods of new symptoms or relapses that develop over days or weeks and usually improve partially or completely. These relapses are followed by quiet periods of disease remission that can last months or even years. (Article 1.)
This is why it’s so important to address this health concern as soon as possible. You want to take action to prevent worse symptoms and side-effects down the road. Being aware of your body is essential for living long & well. Make sure you consult with your doctor if you think any of this may be what you are experiencing.
How does light therapy help with Multiple Sclerosis?
Light therapy is a powerful tool to help reduce inflammation and allow your body to naturally heal itself as a compliment to anything that your doctor may recommend. Empower your health with a focus on tools that will help you heal.
Here are two core things that happen during a Low-Level Light Therapy session that help with Multiple Sclerosis:
When your body absorbs red/near-infrared light energy, it simulates a photochemical reaction within your mitochondria that increases ATP production and cell signaling. Basically it gives your body the energy it needs to regulate itself and focus its efforts on healing and repairing the damage that occurs by your body fighting itself. This really helps with MS which commonly makes people feel low on energy.
It reduces inflammation within your body, allowing it to clear out toxins, remove built-up cellular waste, and infection to allow for your body to naturally circulate as it needs to. It also supports healthy blood flow to areas of your body, like your immune system and skin, to remove waste and to stimulate healing, increase tissue oxygenation, and increase antioxidants.
Now, what does science say?
There’s a lot of research out there on the positive impact of light therapy with MS, but what’s really cool is that there are many more studies that are in the works which means that LLLT is gaining greater awareness. So good!
It’s been shown that LT (light therapy is safe, feasible, and well-tolerated in people with MS-associated fatigue. (Article 3.) This means that it helps people with MS get back that much needed energy for their lives and continued healing.
There was a study about the interaction of light therapy that showed that light therapy wavelengths can stimulate Vitamin D levels to provide immunomodulation in a select group of MS individuals. (Article 2.)
Exploring how we can care for our body is essential, especially when our bodies are showing the outward signs of an internal autoimmune struggle. See how light therapy can help your body & brain!
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Here are the articles I've referenced above:
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