Alcohol's Effect on Symptoms of MS However, the same research suggests that long-term alcohol abuse or heavy drinking may impair the immune system, and could increase the inflammatory response characteristic of MS.
Alcohol can exacerbate some symptoms of MS, such as those related to urinary frequency, depression, thinking, and balance. Alcohol can also interact with medications, affecting how they work or increasing the risk of adverse effects, such as liver damage.
A Belgian study published in the European Journal of Neurology found that people with MS who included coffee in their diet had a slower progression of disability. However, other studies have found caffeine has no impact on the development of MS-related disabilities.
Alcohol's effect on multiple sclerosis is not fully understood, but most studies suggest that low to moderate alcohol intake helps slow the progression of MS. Researchers attribute this potential benefit to alcohol's anti-inflammatory effects on the immune system.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) triggers that worsen symptoms or cause a relapse can include stress, heart disease and smoking.
A small study found that MS patients who drink more sugar-sweetened beverages like soda tend to have more severe disease. High sugar intake also is linked with a higher risk of other conditions, like diabetes and heart disease, that may exacerbate the symptoms of MS.
Alcohol's Effect on Symptoms of MS
In people with MS, alcohol consumption has been shown to reduce symptoms in certain instances. Some research suggests that short-term alcohol use may affect the immune system in beneficial ways, such as by dampening the immune response that can lead to inflammation.
The general advice is to drink around one and a half to two litres, or six to eight glasses, of liquid per day. If plain water seems too boring, you could try sparkling water instead or add a slice of lemon or lime. Many people enjoy caffeinated drinks such as coca cola, coffee and tea.
Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus).
This treatment reduces the relapse rate and the risk of disabling progression in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. It also slows the progression of the primary-progressive form of multiple sclerosis.
Heat. MS affects the part of your brain that controls your body's temperature. So it's easy to get overheated. Even a small rise in body temperature can make fatigue and other symptoms worse.
As expected fatigue was a significant symptom for the people with MS in the studies included, it was commonly experienced and often affected those people severely. Daytime sleepiness was observed less often than fatigue and was usually less severe, but it had a significant impact on the people it did affect.
Among the many health tips we hear, staying hydrated is a common theme. For people with multiple sclerosis, it's particularly important. Staying hydrated helps control bladder and bowel symptoms, and may help decrease injection site reactions and medication side effects.
Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) is a clinical syndrome seen following aggressive correction of severe hyponatremia. Chronic alcohol use, malnutrition, and electrolyte derangement are additional risk factors promoting the demyelination in ODS.
Experiencing some low-level stress isn't always bad for you, but long-term or excessive stress can affect your health. It may make your symptoms of MS, such as pain, fatigue and depression, seem worse. Learning to manage your stress is an important part of taking control of your condition.
In MS, the nerves that control these muscles can become damaged causing weakness and incoordination that can provoke swallowing problems. In addition, numbness of the mouth and throat can occur that can make chewing and swallowing difficult.
The cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown. It's considered an immune mediated disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. In the case of MS , this immune system malfunction destroys the fatty substance that coats and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord (myelin).
The 'MS hug' is symptom of MS that feels like an uncomfortable, sometimes painful feeling of tightness or pressure, usually around your stomach or chest. The pain or tightness can stretch all around the chest or stomach, or it can be just on one side. The MS hug can feel different from one person to another.
The researchers found that over the past 25 years, life expectancy for people with MS has increased. However, they also found that the median age of survival of people with MS was 76 years, versus 83 years for the matched population.
FAQs about MS prognosis and life expectancy
Multiple sclerosis itself is not usually lethal, but it can increase the risk of long-term complications, such as infections or trouble swallowing, that can potentially shorten survival. On average, longevity is about five to 10 years shorter in people with MS.
Smoking with MS is clearly a no-no. But the research on alcohol is a bit less clear. Studies haven't found a link between drinking a reasonable amount of alcohol and MS.
Don't Overdo It. “For most people with MS, the answer is to use alcohol in moderation,” says Jennifer Graves, MD, PhD, associate professor of neurosciences and director of the Neuroimmunology Research Program at the University of California, San Diego.
Given the potential risks for people with MS of consuming dairy products, despite a lack of conclusive evidence, Overcoming MS recommends avoiding cow's milk products as part of the Overcoming MS program.
These foods are thought to drive chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation that could affect the course of MS. The study found an anti-inflammatory diet can help patients prevent flare ups. An anti-inflammatory diet includes consuming foods high in fiber, and other nutrients including turmeric and beta-carotene.