SYMPTOMATIC THERAPY OF MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

Despite decades of aggressive research into the cause and cure of mult iple sclerosis (MS), a direct management strategy remains lacking. As research continues, patients who strive for an improved quality of lif e may attain it through the improved management of symptoms. Symptoms occur in MS as a consequence of loss of myelin (primary symptoms), as the result of primary symptoms (secondary symptoms), and because of ps ychological dysfunction associated with MS (tertiary symptoms). This p aper emphasizes the recent developments in the management of primary s ymptoms including visual loss, weakness, spasticity, urinary and sexua l dysfunction, and fatigue. The adjective multiple emphasizes the nume rous potential symptoms of MS. It is through their management that peo ple with MS may lead happier, more productive lives until a cause and cure are found.