Andrew Sylvester, MD, director of the Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center at Atlantic Health System, says, “Yes, when we use the latest treatments and therapies, we can stop multiple sclerosis (MS) from progressing in most patients.”
He explains that when he and assistant MS director, Mark Leekoff, MD, treat MS at its early stages, they can usually stop the disease in its tracks. When they see patients with more advanced forms of the disease, they can still make an impact by halting or slowing it down.
Understanding multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that can affect the brain and spinal cord. It causes a patient’s immune system to attack the lining of the nerves, called myelin. When the myelin is stripped away, it impairs the nerve’s ability to transmit signals to other parts of the body.
These processes can eventually damage the nerves to a point where they become nonfunctional. Nerve degeneration can occur early in the disease and can slowly worsen over many years.
“In the early stages of MS, a patient often experiences neurological symptoms, which can last for weeks or months—and then resolve,” says Dr. Leekoff. “When left untreated, some patients will experience progressive neurological dysfunction over time. As MS becomes more advanced, it typically becomes more difficult to treat.”
Specialized MS care matters
Fortunately, multiple sclerosis treatment has evolved over the last decade. New therapies are helping stop the advancement of MS in most patients. The newer treatments not only tend to be more effective, but they also have fewer side effects.
“We believe that addressing a patient’s symptoms are just as important as treating their disease,” says Dr. Sylvester. “For patients who do not respond to traditional therapies, there are so many new strategies that can improve daily life.”
MS symptoms typically range in severity. Here are a few common symptoms that affect people living with MS:
- Difficulty walking
- Weakness and imbalance
- Bladder dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Spasticity
- Pain
- Cognition and mood disturbance
- Visual impairments
“We offer treatment options that can improve all of these symptoms,” says Dr. Leekoff. “For example, there are some exciting new devices to help people with walking impairments. There’s also a new device to improve hand functioning.”
A personalized plan for every patient
Drs. Sylvester and Leekoff explain how their team offers patients access to the latest innovations and personalized treatment plans, including:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Medications
- Collaboration with specialists
- Psychosocial support
- Guidance to navigate treatment
- Cutting-edge research and clinical trials (when appropriate)
“Our focus is on each individual patient,” says Dr. Sylvester. “We take time to understand the full scope of a person’s disease and how it is affecting their life, goals, and fears. We create a personalized treatment plan for each person that is designed to improve the quality of their life.”
Related articles
