Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis | Cellebration Wellness

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Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system of the patient, which includes the spinal cord and the brain. Multiple sclerosis specifically damages the myelin sheath, which is the protective coating that surrounds the nerve fibers. Damage to the myelin sheath causes a disruption in communication between the nervous system and various parts of the body.

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis can differ between patients. In some cases, patients experience mild symptoms that go away and come back. In other cases, patients may suffer from severe symptoms that worsen over time. People who have multiple sclerosis often experience numbness, muscle weakness, vision problems, balance problems, fatigue, and problems thinking and remembering. This condition is potentially disabling and can impact nearly every aspect of a patient’s life.

How Many People Have Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is considered to be a rare disease. In the United States, fewer than 200,000 cases are reported annually. However, estimates show that around 1 million people currently live with multiple sclerosis in the United States.

Across the globe, around 2.8 million people have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Based on these numbers, less than 1% of the entire population has been diagnosed with this condition or 35.9 cases per 100,000 people. The median age of diagnosis is 32 years. When it comes to diagnosis, females are more than twice as likely to have multiple sclerosis than males.

What are the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?

Patients who suffer from multiple sclerosis can experience an array of symptoms and signs. The symptoms that are experienced can vary greatly from person to person. This is generally dependent upon where the location of the affected nerve fibers. Some of the most common symptoms reported by people who suffer from multiple sclerosis include:

• Vertigo
• A lack of coordination
• Tingling
• Numbness or weakness in one or several limbs, typically on one side of the body
• Unsteady gait and/or an inability to walk
• Blurry vision
• Electric-shock sensations with neck movements
• Problems with sexual functions
• Bowel problems
• Bladder problems
• Mood disturbances
• Slurred speech
• Fatigue
• Cognitive problems
• Partial loss of vision
• Pain during the movement of the eyes

In most cases, people who suffer from MS experience relapsing and remitting disease courses. Patients will experience several periods of new symptoms or relapses of old symptoms that develop over several days or weeks. In some cases, the symptoms can partially or completely improve and relapse after a quiet period. There are instances where people can go several months or even years without experiencing any symptoms between a relapse.

What Treatment Options are Available for Multiple Sclerosis?

There is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis. However, there are several treatments that can help patients manage the symptoms that they experience and slow down the progression of the disease. In many cases, patients are prescribed medications to help manage the symptoms that they suffer.

Two of the most common treatments for multiple sclerosis attacks include corticosteroids and plasma exchange. Corticosteroids, such as oral prednisone and methylprednisolone injections, are generally used to reduce nerve inflammation in patients who are having active attacks of multiple sclerosis. Plasma exchange is another option that can help to reduce the effects of a current attack. In general, this type of treatment is provided to patients who have suffered symptoms that are new, and severe, and have not responded to other steroids.

Another type of treatment involves modifying the progression of the disease. Multiple disease-modifying therapies, or DMTs, exist to treat patients who suffer from relapsing and remitting multiple sclerosis. Aggressive treatment early on can help to lower the rate of relapses, potentially reduce any risks of suffering brain atrophy, and slowing of the formation of any new lesions. Unfortunately, many of the DMTs used for multiple sclerosis, with significant risks to the health of the patient.

Some of the injectable treatments used to address the progression of multiple sclerosis include:

• Monoclonal antibodies: These medications are used to target B cells, which are known to cause damage to the nervous system.
• Glatiramer acetate: These medications are designed to help block the immune system’s attack on the myelin sheath.
• Interferon beta medications: These drugs are generally the most prescribed for patients suffering from MS. These medications interfere with the disease that attacks the body and work to decrease inflammation in patients. Additionally, they are designed to help increase nerve growth.

There are several oral treatment options available to help patients as well. Some of the most common include:

• Fingolimod (Gilenya)
• Teriflunomide (Aubagio)
• Diroximel fumarate (Vumerity)
• Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera)
• Monomethyl fumarate (Bafiertam)
• Siponimod (Mayzent)
• Ozanimod (Zeposia)
• Ponesimod (Ponvory)
• Cladribine (Mavenclad)

Infusion treatments are another option that is provided to patients. These include the use of:

• Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus)
• Alemtuzumab (Campath, Lemtrada)
• Natalizumab (Tysabri)

More recently, doctors are turning to Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor to treat multiple sclerosis that is relapsing and remitting, as well as secondary progressive MS. We are also seeing scientific studies involving the use of -derived mesenchymal stem cells to treat multiple sclerosis inpatients. These tests surrounding stem cells have provided promising results when it comes to the future of treating this debilitating and progressive disease.

Curious about our innovative treatments? Explore the possibilities of stem cell therapy with Cellebration Wellness. Call 858-258-5090 today!