A disease of the central nervous system, where the myelin sheets covering nerves' fibres in the brain and spinal cord are gradually destroyed. There are a wide range of symptoms including tingling, pins and needles or numbness, difficult walking, foot dragging, loss of coordination, distorted sensation, blurred vision slurred speech, fatigue, and incontinence.

Treatment

Dietary

* Avoid foods high in saturated fat: meat, dairies produce, hard fats, shop brought pastries and snacks. You can make your own pastries from whole meal flour and polyunstarturated margarine.

* Increase intake of essential fatty acids, found in polyunsaturated margarine’s and oils (sunflower, saff flower, soya, sesame, cotton seed, corn, rapeseed), nuts and beans (avoid coconuts and peanuts), liver, and green leafy vegetables.

* Food sensitivities may enhance your symptoms. Milk is a common allergy in MS sufferers. Applied kinesiolgy can be useful in detecting food sensitivities.

* Avoid junk and processed foods, eat wholegrain cereals, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, avoid sugar.

* the following dietary supplements have been shown to be helpful:

• 3 capusale of 500mg of evening primrose oil 3 times daily with meals.
  
• 1,000 mg fish oil in capsules or cod liver oil supplement daily.
  
• 100 iu of vitamin E,3 times a daily.
  
• 1 vitamin B complex tablet daily.
  
• 50 mg of vitamin B6, daily.
  
• 1 mg of vitamin C, 3 times daily.
  
• 15 mg of elemental zinc daily.
  
• 50 mg of magnesuim daily.

Massage

* Regular massage increase blood circulation, prevents stiffness, enhances mobility nd improves general well being. Learn to do massage by attending a class, or exchanging treatments with a friend or family member.

Exercise

* Gentle daily swimming, dancing, walking, trampolining and gentle stretching and aerobics are all helpful in maintaining mobility. However don’t allow yourself to become fatigued by exercise.

Yoga

* Studies show that regular yoga helps prevent deterioration.

Professional Help

* Osteopathy helps to maintain mobility. Alexander Technique helps postural problems, coordination and movement.

* Homoeopathic treatment helps in some cases.

Orthodox

* Physiotherapy is very important to maintain the use of limbs. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment, where pressurized is introduced into the body, has been shown to help some people. Short courses of steroids are prescribed for acute attacks.