Natural therapies for related MS symptoms

Certainly a primary focus of treatment is geared at the disease itself, but accumulative symptoms from Multiple Sclerosis can tremendously affect one’s quality of life. Of the common chronic symptoms, fatigue ranks the highest. In general, safe exercise, gradual endurance training, a healthy diet, a normal body weight and a good attitude will go a long way in curbing this complex symptom. In addition, there are some herbal compounds that tend to enhance endurance and strength. These can include Ginseng, Arctic Rose, Cordyceps, and Yohimbe. Likewise, Echinacea modulates the immune response warding off common colds and viruses which may be beneficial in preventing MS attacks.

Other chronic symptoms can include depression, as well as erectile dysfunction. St. John’s Wort has been used for mild to moderate depression with some success, and it also seems to act as an anti-viral agent. Kava Kava is another mood elevating compound. There are many natural herbal remedies for erectile dysfunction including Gingko Biloba, Wild Oats, Potency Wood, Maca Root, and Catuaba Bark, among others. These natural herbal remedies offer the body a natural way at ameliorating some of the more nagging symptoms of MS.

Regarding exercise, there are some general rules for those with Multiple Sclerosis. Because the cause of fatigue is related to injury to the nervous system and not the musculoskeletal or cardiovascular systems, it is important to use fatigue as a guide. If you exercise to the point of exhaustion, this can actually worsen Multiple Sclerosis and lead to more frequent attacks and decline. Therefore, allow for a gradual period of warm-up and cool down before and after your exercise, and start slow and build-up endurance gradually. The other main precaution is that hot environments should be avoided as extreme heat can also exacerbate the disease. Try to exercise in the cooler portions of the day, and preferentially, water exercise may offer the best environment overall. Always drink plenty of fluids, and if disabilities already exist, make sure your exercise environment is safe. With proper safety precautions, exercise can significantly improve the degree of physical endurance one has.