Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Treatments for multiple sclerosis and role of generic baclofen in it

Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease that involves an inflammation of the protective covering of the nerve cells. The disease causes dysfunctions of the body's nervous cells (neurons), due to destruction of myelin, a substance that surrounds the neurons. Myelin is vital for the proper activity of the nervous system, as it facilitates the transmission of information between neurons. When the nervous cells' myelin-containing membrane is damaged, the innervated tissues of the entire body can be seriously affected. Due to destruction of myelin, multiple sclerosis can cause dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal, sensorial and cognitive systems. Sometimes, the disease can also affect the activity of the internal organs such as kidneys, gastrointestinal tract. People who suffer from multiple sclerosis can in time develop neuropsychological conditions, such as depression, mania or dementia. Inflammation of the myelin sheath also causes some other spinal cord diseases.

Multiple sclerosis is a frustrating disease because the current treatments are few and at present, there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, but the available drugs can slow the disease course. Synthetic forms of beta interferon (a natural immunomodulator that regulates the immune response) reduce the frequency and severity of relapses and decrease the degree of disability over time. There are treatments for specific symptoms, such as steroids (which are usually given in high doses intravenously for a few days, between 3 and 5), which can shorten the duration of an attack. Some drugs can alleviate spasticity, fatigue and disorders of micturition. People with multiple sclerosis tend to verify that non-pharmacological treatments such as regular exercise and adequate rest can help them maintain a more active life. Muscle spasm causes no movement of hands and feet. Physical therapy and exercise can help strengthen the weakened muscles and improve coordination. Occupational therapy can improve the skills to teach everyday people how to cope with multiple sclerosis with a reduced capacity of movement and speech therapy can improve the difficulties in speaking and swallowing. Another novelty in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis is the use of electromagnetic fields. This is very important to clarify that the electromagnetic fields that are used in this case are low intensity, extremely low frequencies and carefully controlled. These applications are extra-cranial and are 20 minutes once a week. The results are variable and more research is needed to refine this form of treatment.

Along with the treatment options stated above, oral medications also helpful in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other spinal cord diseases. Amongst all the oral drugs used in the treatments for multiple sclerosis, generic baclofen is of great help. Muscle spasm causes stiffness in muscles and joints that makes any kind of movement almost impossible. Generic Lioresal (Baclofen) has similar action like GABA blocks the activity of the nerves within the part of the brain that controls the contraction and relaxation of skeletal muscles thus it helps in reducing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Baclofen 10mg is the standard starting dose of the treatments for multiple sclerosis. Like all medicines generic baclofen also has some mild side effects that disappears as you body gets used to the drug. Baclofen side effect includes constipation, nausea, dizziness, low blood pressure which vanishes in couple of days.

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