HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Correspondence: Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Correspondence are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Crayton, H. Articles by Rossman, H. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Crayton, H. Articles by Rossman, H. S.

Neurology supplements are not peer-reviewed. Information contained in Neurology supplements represent the opinions of the authors and are not endorsed by nor do they reflect the views of the American Academy of Neurology, Editor-in-Chief, or Associate Editors of Neurology.

A multimodal approach to managing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis

From the Georgetown University Multiple Sclerosis Center, Washington DC (Dr. Crayton); the Multiple Sclerosis Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Dr. Heyman); and the Multiple Sclerosis Center, Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders, Farmington Hills, Michigan (Dr. Rossman).

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Heidi Crayton, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Georgetown University Multiple Sclerosis Center, Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington, DC 20007; e-mail: craytonh{at}georgetown.edu

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the CNS with a challenging clinical course characterized by heterogeneous symptoms related to inflammation and demyelination. Disease-modifying agents (DMAs) are used to treat the related neuronal degradation. Certain symptoms occur regularly, although with variable frequency, regardless of treatment with DMAs. Because there is no cure for MS at this time, symptom management is critically important to quality of life. Symptoms commonly seen are spasticity, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, bladder dysfunction, pain, and cognitive dysfunction. Other symptoms include depression, bowel dysfunction, paroxysmal symptoms, and weakness. The symptom management model that provides optimal results for patients with MS is a multimodal approach using effective communication, patient education, physical modalities and activities, occupational and other therapies, and pharmacologic interventions. Individualizing treatment for each patient involves gaining control of symptoms as early as possible to prevent cycles of symptoms from developing.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. C. Hobart, A. Riazi, A. J. Thompson, I. M. Styles, W. Ingram, P. J. Vickery, M. Warner, P. J. Fox, and J. P. Zajicek Getting the measure of spasticity in multiple sclerosis: the Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity Scale (MSSS-88) Brain, January 1, 2006; 129(1): 224 - 234. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Dahl, K. -M. Myhr, A. K. Daltveit, J. M. Hoff, and N. E. Gilhus Pregnancy, delivery, and birth outcome in women with multiple sclerosis Neurology, December 27, 2005; 65(12): 1961 - 1963. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. D. Abbott, G. W. Ross, L. R. White, C. M. Tanner, K. H. Masaki, J. S. Nelson, J. D. Curb, and H. Petrovitch Excessive daytime sleepiness and subsequent development of Parkinson disease Neurology, November 8, 2005; 65(9): 1442 - 1446. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]