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Before being officially diagnosed with MS, patients usually experience a first neurologic event suggestive of MS, defined as Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS). It lasts for at least 24 hours with symptoms and signs indicating either a single lesion (monofocal) or more than one lesion (multifocal) within the central nervous system.1
There are 4 types of MS. They're named according to the way the disease acts on the body over time.2
If you are diagnosed with MS or a first-time MS event, you should consider talking about starting treatment as soon as possible with your healthcare team. Researchers have found that MS often causes more damage in the first year than in later years.3
Learn more about the symptoms and diagnosis of MS.
Currently, there is no cure for MS. However there are two main ways that therapies can treat MS: immunomodulation and immunosuppression.
Immunomodulating therapies
Although it is not completely clear how these therapies exactly work, it is believed that they have predominantly immunomodulating properties. With MS, immune cells—cells that play crucial roles in our natural defense system to fight infectious agents—can malfunction and start attacking our own healthy nerve cells. The immunomodulating properties of these therapies lead to a reduction of malfunctioning immune cells by regulating their activation. Additionally, the natural barrier between the blood circulation and the brain, the so-called “blood-brain barrier,” is believed to become less permeable. The barrier lets fewer immune cells pass into the brain where they could cause harm by attacking the healthy nerve tissue.
Immunosuppressive therapies
Although there is no universally accepted definition, these agents are generally associated with a decrease in the number of circulating immune cells. Immune cells—cells that play crucial roles in our natural defense system to fight infectious agents—can malfunction in MS and start attacking our own healthy nerve cells. The immunosuppressant properties of these therapies lead to a reduction of the malfunctioning immune cells in the blood circulation that potentially could cause harm to nerve cells. As a downside, the number of well-functioning immune cells is reduced as well. These cells are important to protect the body from the potentially harmful influences of infectious agents.
MS Treatment Options
There are various MS treatment options available today that have been shown to decrease the frequency of relapses and to delay disease progression. Some treatments use an injection—either subcutaneous (under the skin) or intramuscular (into the muscle)—while others are given intravenously4 (via an infusion) or orally.
MS is a chronic disease which requires treatment for a long period of time. Carefully outlining factors of treatment that are important to you is therefore essential. Don’t hesitate to ask your physician any questions you have about your therapy and which treatment option may be right for you.
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Thank you for visiting www.multiplesclerosis.com.
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. is not solely responsible for the content presented by the MY MS My Way website, including any advertising claims, special offers, illustrations, names or endorsements.
Thank you for visiting www.multiplesclerosis.com.