Helping Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Oct. 25, 2010 - PRLog -- Introduction
Multiple Sclerosis (MS), also known as disseminated sclerosis or encephalomyelitis disseminate is a neurological disorder, in which a human body loses its ability to communicate the neural signals from the brain to the spinal cord.
A patient suffering from MS can experience varied symptoms, which vary from loss in sensitivity, muscle weakness, trembling, and difficulties in ambulation, chronic pain or even visual problems.
There are various types of MS. However, there are three types that have been observed most commonly, viz., Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) – most common form of MS in which the patient tends to experience series of attacks followed by complete or partial remission; Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS) – starts with RRMS, with progressive attacks and no real periods of remission or recovery from symptoms; and Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS) – most commonly found in men, with no real periods of remission and the condition deteriorates with time.
MS has not yet been proven as a genetic disorder. However, a number of genetic variations have shown increasing propensity towards developing MS. Other risk factors include decreased Vitamin D production due to lack of sunlight exposure, mainly in areas far away from equator; severe stress; smoking; and other environmental abnormalities.
In scientific terms, MS is an inflammatory disease in which the body’s immune system eats away the protective sheath that covers the nerves. This interferes with the communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Ultimately, this may result in deterioration of the nerves themselves, a process that's not reversible, in majority of cases.
Presently, there is no treatment protocol approved for MS. Experimental trials of procedures such as Liberation Treatment and Plasma Exchange have shown positive results in patients suffering from MS. There are medications (mostly anti-cancer) that are also prescribed in the preliminary stage of MS. However, most doctors believe that these medications are symptomatic drugs and in some cases, can also lead to adverse effects or be poorly tolerated.
Drugs prescribed to slow down MS progression
1.   Beta interferons: Mainly prescribed to a patient who suffers one attack per year of a relapsing form of MS or don’t recover well from neurological attacks. It is also recommended in cases where a patient develops new lesions or shows increasing tendency towards severe symptoms
2.   Glatiramer: Mainly prescribed in cases of RRMS
3.   Natalizumad: Prescribed as monthly treatments to subside the frequency of MS attacks
4.   Mitoxantrone: Prescribed to patients suffering from aggressive RRMS or SPMS
Liberation Treatment
According to a whitepaper – “Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) Statement, Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI)”, MSIF – recent experiments have shown that a phenomenon called as Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) has shown a reported abnormality in blood drainage from the brain and the spinal cord. CCSVI is believed to contribute to the nervous system deterioration leading to damage causing MS. The risks and benefits of procedures to treat CCSVI have not been established by properly controlled clinical trials. A recent study, by Dr. Paolo Zamboni from the University of Ferrara in Italy, on 65 people with different types of MS, reported abnormal venous flow in 100% cases. The researchers also noted that patterns of venous obstruction differed between people at different stages and courses of MS although there was no clear relationship between severity of MS and extent of venous obstruction. However, further studies are still underway in order to conclusively establish a relationship between CCSVI and MS.
Liberation Treatment – a surgical procedure for treating CCSVI – has also shown positive results in a small number of patients suffering from MS. In this procedure, a balloon dilation is used to open up obstructed veins or insertion of stents into veins to help keep them open (endovascular surgery). Liberation Treatment, just like other endovascular procedures, also carries risks, such as elastic recoil, rupture of the vein and blood clots, etc. However, that does not mean that these procedures wouldn’t be established as potentially safe and effective treatment.
Plasma Exchange
According to an article – “Plasma Exchange, HealthNow New York Inc.”, Plasma exchange (PE) is a procedure in which the plasma is isolated, then discarded and replaced with a substitution fluid such as albumin. Plasma exchange is a nonspecific therapy, since the entire plasma is discarded. PE has been used in a wide variety of conditions including the treatment of neurological diseases. Laboratory abnormalities suggest that MS is an immune-mediated disease. PE has been used primarily as a technique to either shorten the duration of an acute attack or to reduce the number of acute attacks in patients suffering from MS. In plasma exchange, doctors remove the blood and mechanically separate the blood cells from the plasma (fluid). The blood cells are then mixed with a replacement solution, typically albumin or a synthetic fluid with properties of plasma, and are returned with the blood cells in the body.
Treatment of MS in India
The New Delhi Center for CCSVI Testing & Liberation Treatment is located at Medanta Medicity. They have performed more than 100 cases of MS in the past one year, with high rates of success. In addition Dr. Sumit Singh, Head – Senior Consultant, Neurology and Dr. Vipul Gupta, Head – Interventional Neuroradiology, perform Plasma Exchange treatment successfully.
In addition to Medanta Medicity, Liberation Treatment is successfully accomplished at Apollo Hospitals and Fortis Hospitals. In June 2010, A team of doctors led by Dr. Vikas Gupta, Sr. Consultant, Stroke & Endovascular Neuro-Surgery, Fortis Hospital Noida used ‘Liberation Treatment’ to cure a 60-year old patient, who was suffering from MS symptoms for the past 11 years.
Project Prayaas
Currently, in addition to assisting patients receive medical care in India, AADI MediTour India is also emphasizing on providing medical education to patients who are interested in knowing about the various surgical procedures. This article is in continuation of this series of providing medical education. We plan to provide all relevant information about other medical areas in the forthcoming articles.

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AADI MediTour India is a Delhi-based medical tourism company that provides end-to-end solutions to patients who want to travel for receiving medical treatment. It is dedicated to service not only the ‘in-bound’ patients who come to India, but also the ‘intra-bound’ patients who travel within India.
The company has been associated with the best hospitals in the country to offer the best doctors for the best treatment. The organization is well equipped to fulfill all the medical needs either through its in-house medical care center – CHIKITSA MULTISPECIALTY HOSPITAL – or through its associated partners located in the National Capital Region, including Apollo Hospitals, Artemis Health Institute, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Batra Hospital & Medical Research Center, Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare, Medanta Medicity, Paras Hospital, Rockland Hospital, QRG Central Hospital & Research Center, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to name a few.