Library Articles
Getting the Most Out of Your Medical Visit
By: David Rintell, EdD & Lynn Stazzone, RN, BSN, MSN, NP
Stay healthier by becoming an active member of your own healthcare team! Multiple sclerosis is a complex neurological disease which often changes over time. There are now many treatments which can modify the disease, called DMTs or disease modifying treatments. There are also many treatments which help to improve or alleviate symptoms. Although the new treatment options are hopeful, understanding all of the potential benefits and risks to these treatments can sometimes be overwhelming.
Continue ReadingCommunication is a Two-Way Street
By: Beth Bullard, OTR & Rosalind Kalb, PhD
Healthy productive communication abilities are not inherent. They are learned and developed. Our life experiences frame the foundation for how we perceive each other and form relationships. Healthy relationships depend on good communication, mutual respect and trust. Communication is far more than the words we speak. The way we say the words and how they are received impact the success of the message. When we are able to communicate effectively, we connect, and these connections establish and strengthen our relationships.
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For Women With MS: Making Decisions About Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & More
By: Elizabeth Salas, MPH, Teratology Information Specialist, MotherToBaby California
If you have Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and are currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy, where do you go when you have questions about MS or MS treatments? In this day and age, the first place you might go is the Internet. With no shortage of information at our fingertips, it may seem the answers to all of our questions are just a web search away. But when it comes to chronic conditions and treatments in pregnancy, reliable and accurate information isn’t always easy to find, and the answers may not be so simple. So let’s try a different approach, shall we? First, let’s start with the facts!
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Healthy Eating & Multiple Sclerosis
By: Aliza Ben-Zacharia, ANP, DNP, MS
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease which affects the function of the brain, spinal cord and/or the nerves to the eyes. Many patients who suffer from MS look for ways to improve and increase their quality of lives. Good nutrition is among the cornerstones of health-promotion activities. Maintaining a balanced diet and exercising regularly are essential for promoting wellness and well-being and enhancing quality of life.
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Update Your Outlook on Progressive MS
By: Rosalind Kalb, PhD & Patricia Kennedy, RN, CNP, MSCN
The words “progressive MS” can set off alarm bells. No one wants to hear that his or her MS is, or has become, progressive. The term “progressive MS” applies to different aspects of the disease, and it helps to know how it is being used. Approximately 85% of people are initially diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting MS. At some point in their disease course, typically after 10-15 years, relapses become less frequent or stop occurring completely, the disease progresses more consistently but not necessarily more rapidly, and changes in function become more pronounced.
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Pain: A Common and Complex Symptom
By: Deborah Miller, PhD, LISW
Pain is a common and complex symptom for people living with multiple sclerosis. Creating and maintaining strategies for managing pain is an important component of wellness.
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