5 foods that can help manage multiple sclerosis

5 foods that can help manage multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, impacting mind-body coordination. While no nutrition plan can cure MS, studies show that certain foods like turmeric and avocadoes can help manage the symptoms. Most of these foods have anti-inflammatory properties, and researchers say that reducing inflammation in the body can help. Here are five foods that MS patients must eat, along with a few pills for relapsing MS.

Salmon
Salmon is one of the best foods for people with MS. It is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, healthy fats that help fight inflammation and potentially help improve MS symptoms. Moreover, salmon is rich in vitamin D, a nutrient that many MS patients lack.

Turmeric
Turmeric is a fragrant, yellow spice that has long been used for treating various ailments. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which can help protect nerve cells and boost the immune system. Curcumin also has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and can fight inflammation that contributes to MS.

Avocado
Avocados are loaded with various nutrients that can combat inflammation, such as monounsaturated fats, lutein, glutathione, vitamin E, and phenolic antioxidants. Plus, it contains phytosterols, or plant sterols, that help stave off inflammation. Patients can eat raw avocados every day or enjoy guacamole, an avocado-based dip.

Whole grains
Whole grains, such as oats, brown rice, quinoa, are packed with fiber and other nutrients. Fiber is essential for maintaining digestive health and relieving constipation, a common symptom of MS. Whole grains also help stabilize blood sugar and reduce fatigue in MS patients.

Walnuts
Walnuts may benefit people with MS because they are full of plant-based omega-3s and other healthy unsaturated fats. They also contain lots of other nutrients that can regulate inflammation. Moreover, studies have found that walnuts can reduce specific inflammatory markers in the body.

One should be aware about another illness that is quite similar to MS. It is known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Both these conditions may have similar symptoms, including scarring of the nerve cells, muscle weakness, among others. However, both of them are quite different. In addition to changing one’s food habits, one should visit a healthcare expert for a suitable treatment plan. 

Besides these foods, MS patients may need certain medications to control the symptoms, such as those mentioned here:

GILENYA® (fingolimod)
GILENYA® is an oral pill that contains a medication called fingolimod. It is a pill for relapsing MS (also known as RRMS), where the disease keeps reoccurring after intervals of recovery.

AUBAGIO® (teriflunomide)
Teriflunomide, commonly sold under the brand name AUBAGIO®, is a once-daily pill for relapsing MS.

TECFIDERA ®  (dimethyl fumarate)
Marketed as TECFIDERA ® , dimethyl fumarate is yet another pill for treating relapsing forms of MS. It should be used two times a day as per the doctor’s instructions.

OCREVUS® (ocrelizumab)
Classified as a monoclonal antibody, OCREVUS® is used in the treatment of primary progressive MS and relapsing forms of the condition. It is a type of infusion treatment, and can be administered through IV for up to three times during a patient’s first year depending on the symptoms’ severity. OCREVUS® can cause serious side effects. Hence, it is crucial to consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.

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Coping with urges that can trigger a relapse post treatment

Addictions when left untreated can turn into crippling conditions. One can be addicted to smoking, binge drinking, or even shopping. Once addicted, one willfully submits to urges, despite having satisfied them before. However, addictions can be managed and to a great extent treated to full recovery. But, the post-recovery phase is crucial where both the mind and body are put to test and can trigger a relapse. Continue reading to know more about the most common triggers for addictions and how to deal with them.Stress Stress is commonly the root cause of many problems and addictions, both physical and psychological. One can become an addict as a way to manage the stress that may stem from strained relationships or priorities. The best way to avoid a relapse during recovery is to make lifestyle changes that don’t trigger a return to addictions amidst a stressful situation. One can practice mindfulness, engage in relaxation techniques, manage one’s time to avoid stressful situations, and imbibe healthy eating habits and exercise in their daily routine. EmotionsThere is an umpteen number of triggers that invoke a positive or negative emotional response. However, the stress associated with dealing with emotions daily can trigger urges without one even realizing. Often, one turns to a glass of alcohol or relies on prescription medications to put the mind at ease. It is not a permanent solution and prolonged use of these substances can cause more harm in the long run. One must learn and explore productive ways of controlling emotions better to avoid a relapse during recovery. For example, writing and maintaining a journal that contains one’s feelings and thoughts can act as a healthy outlet. Similarly, there are other healthy ways to channel one’s energy and manage emotional responses.Positive conditioningPeople who have addictions such as smoking or drinking may often find themselves in situations where a lit cigarette or a glass of wine can trigger a relapse. This is understandable considering these substances were the primary source of comfort and relaxation. However, with positive reinforcement and reconditioning one can train the mind and curb such urges. Relaxation doesn’t always mean techniques like yoga or meditation, it can also be pursuing your hobby. Counseling for group gatheringsBirthdays, parties, New Year’s events, and any celebration in general call for alcohol consumption and smoking. At times, these could be the very addictions one is recovering from, and in a social gathering, such temptations can be strong. However, a recovering addict should refrain from indulging in any of these as even a taste can turn into a relapse. For instance, a recovering alcoholic must avoid having a single drink as that could put him/her on a slippery slope to relapse. Here, one-on-one counseling can help prepare the mind to resist the urge. It is never healthy for a recovering addict to simply avoid socializing fearing a relapse.

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Foods to avoid for pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a lung disease that can affect the pulmonary arteries. The rare but severe condition can cause high blood pressure in the lungs and increase the risk of suffering right heart failure. Though there is no cure for (PH) the U.S. FDA has approved treatments to help cope with the condition. Further, patients are also advised to avoid certain foods during treatment to speed up their recovery. Foods to avoid Avoid these foods in order to reduce the risk of pulmonary hypertension: Coffee Coffee is great to drink when you want to stay up to work late hours, but it can affect your health too. Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant that can result in a spike in blood pressure levels. So you must avoid coffee if you wish to contain your blood pressure levels. You might want to try chicory as a substitute for coffee in the morning. Processed and red meats Processed meat and red meat might be delicious but must be avoided if you wish to reduce the risk of pulmonary hypertension. These meats are loaded with sodium as part of the curing, seasoning, and preservation process. You must also avoid foods like bread, pickles, and cheese as they also contain high sodium levels. Sugar Sugar or sugar-based foods such as desserts and other sweet foods should also be excluded from your daily meals. Based on research, sugar-based products can lead to an increase in weight in adults and children. Being overweight can put one at a greater risk of having high blood pressure. Therefore, a person affected by pulmonary hypertension should reduce or avoid the consumption of sugar. Frozen pizza A pizza is a great fast food to enjoy eating over the weekend. However, the food is high in sugars, sodium, and saturated fat. Two slices of American cheese contain about 512 mg of sodium. Instead of frozen pizza, you should try using low sodium cheese, homemade dough to make the base, and top the pizza with healthy veggies. Doing so will help improve your condition and reduce the risk of increased blood pressure. Salt Salt is often used to enhance the flavor of the food, but it can do some serious damage. A doctor will always advise patients to reduce their sodium intake if they are subject to pulmonary hypertension. Salt is a sodium-based food present in several canned, packaged, and pickled foods. By reducing your salt intake, the symptoms of PH may reduce significantly. You can always substitute salt with other spices like cumin, garlic, and herbs. Treatments Adempas (riociguat) Adempas (riociguat) is a prescription used to treat adults with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension who continue to have high pulmonary blood pressure even after surgery. It is also used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. It reduces blood pressure in the lungs and helps the heart pump blood more efficiently.

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