Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Is a complex neurodegenerative disease that is currently incurable. The disease can cause problems with balance, muscle control, vision and other basic bodily functions. MS is thought to be an inflammatory autoimmune disease in which the body attacks myelin, a critical component of the nervous system. Myelin forms fatty sheaths around nerves, which protects your nerves and facilitates rapid transmission of information throughout your brain. When this myelin is damaged in MS, it can cause mild to significant physical disabilities(1). The hallmark of MS is symptomatic episodes that occur months or years apart (relapses) followed by times of recovery (remission).
Current approaches to treatment include: 1) prevention of disease progression and reduction in relapse rate 2) treatment of acute exacerbations and 3) treatment of chronic symptoms. FDA approved treatments target neuroinflammation by modulating the immune system but not without significant risks(2). Despite new treatments and technologies, therapies to control inflammation and physical symptoms remain ineffective(2).
Extivita Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis:
Extivita Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis Recovery:
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Neurofeedback
Supplements
Nutritional IV Therapy
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy
Listen to Sofia’s experience with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis:
Despite these studies, HBOT is still the mainstay treatment for MS in the United Kingdom as it has shown great potential in decreasing neuroinflammation(2).
HBOT Benefits for MS:
- Modifies Progression of Disease
- Reduces Relapse Rate
- May Restore Acute Blood Brain Barrier Disruption
- Improves Bladder Function
- Increases Energy
Effects of HBOT on Multiple Sclerosis:
Decreased Inflammation
Increased Stem Cell Activity
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy mobilizes stem progenitor cells (SPCs) from the bone marrow, creating the opportunity for tissue regeneration.
New Blood Vessel Formation
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy stimulates the formation of new blood vessels, healing injured tissues that were unable to get nutrients and oxygen.
Neurofeedback for Multiple Sclerosis:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects every individual differently, but research has revealed that a significant percentage of people with MS experience mental health issues in addition to physical impairment. The most common issues are fatigue, depression, and cognitive impairment all of which can have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life(3). Research has shown that using neurofeedback (NF) to reduce the activity of theta and alpha brain waves and increase the activity of beta brain waves effectively reduces ratings of depression and fatigue in people with MS. The NF training is done at the left frontal lobe, and the improvements in depression and fatigue have been shown to persist 2 months after NF training is completed(4). This suggests that NF has the potential to alleviate depression and fatigue in individuals with MS, thus providing these individuals with a higher quality of life.
IV Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis:
Ascorbic acid, or Vitamin C, is a vital antioxidant and a co- factor for biological processes in the body. The highest concentrations of Vitamin C are found in brain tissues and plays a significant role in neuroprotection(5). Clinical studies suggest that neurological diseases are associated with increased free radical generation and subsequent inflammation. Ascorbic acid levels in individuals with MS are significantly lower compared to patients without MS. Because studies have shown that oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to neurological decline, Vitamin C can play a significant role in alleviating progression via pathological mechanisms implicated in MS(6). Extivita offers IV Vitamin C via Myers cocktail, which significantly increases serum levels of ascorbic acid compared to oral or liposomal supplementation.
How IV Vitamin C Can Help:
- Neutralize free radicals/decrease oxidative stress
- Modulate immune system by reducing protein aggregates, improving cognitive/ motor impairments
- Collagen synthesis to promote myelin sheath formation
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis:
By improving local blood flow, oxygen supply and nutrition can be delivered to depleted tissues which can lead to decrease inflammation. Study participants have reported significant changes in fatigue level, bladder control, cognitive, mobility, spasticity and vision(7).
News & Research for Multiple Sclerosis:
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for multiple sclerosis.
Abstract: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, recurrent and progressive illness with no cure. On the basis of speculative pathophysiology, it has been suggested that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) may slow or reverse the progress of the disease. The object of this...
Mini-forum on multiple sclerosis (MS) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
MS is a disease in which manifestations wax and wane, and which is not immediately fatal (and sometimes not at all), and proving or disproving the therapeutic worth of an intervention can be frustratingly difficult. The response of multiple sclerosis (MS) to hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy falls into this category. The letter of James and Perrins [see page 236] takes the pro- HBO2 point of view in direct opposition to a recent editorial by Dr. Jacoby in the Journal (1). The dispute has unaccountably become both polarized and emotional, reminiscent of other medical debates, which were finally resolved by carefully designed outcome studies. If, on the basis of current evidence, HBO2 therapy for MS can be neither accepted nor dismissed out of hand, there are two time-tested ways of approaching the truth. One is to perform comprehensive reviews of all available data, which has been done by Bennett and Heard (2). Although the authors failed to find an effect of HBO2, they left open the possibility that HBO2 might be effective for some subsets of patients, perhaps using prolonged treatment.
Multiple sclerosis presenting as neurological decompression sickness in a U.S. navy diver.
Abstract: A case of clinically definite multiple sclerosis presenting as neurological decompression sickness is presented. A 23-yr-old U.S. Navy diver experienced onset of hypesthesia of the left upper trunk approximately 19 h after making two SCUBA dives. She did not...
References
- Bennett, M. and Heard, R. (2010). Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis. CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, 16: 115-124. doi:10.1111/j.1755-5949.2009.00129.x
- Perrins, D. and James, P (2005). Long-term hyperbaric oxygenation retards progression in multiple sclerosis patients. IJNN ; 2 (1): 45 – 48
- Siegert, R. J., and D. A. Abernethy. “Depression in Multiple Sclerosis: A Review.” Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, vol. 76, no. 4, BMJ Publishing Group Ltd, Apr. 2005, pp. 469–75. jnnp.bmj.com, doi:10.1136/jnnp.2004.054635.
- Choobforoushzadeh, Azadeh, et al. “Effect of Neurofeedback Training on Depression and Fatigue in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.” Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, vol. 40, no. 1, Mar. 2015, pp. 1–8. PubMed, doi:10.1007/s10484-014-9267-4
- Kocot, Joanna et al. “Does Vitamin C Influence Neurodegenerative Diseases and Psychiatric Disorders?.” Nutrients vol. 9,7 659. 27 Jun. 2017, doi:10.3390/nu9070659
- Moretti, Morgana et al. “Preventive and therapeutic potential of ascorbic acid in neurodegenerative diseases.” CNS neuroscience & therapeutics vol. 23,12 (2017): 921-929. doi:10.1111/cns.12767
- Piatkowski, Joachim & Kern, Simone & Ziemssen, Tjalf. (2009). Effect of BEMER Magnetic Field Therapy on the Level of Fatigue in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Trial. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). 15. 507-11. 10.1089/acm.2008.0501.