Treatment of symptoms in multiple sclerosis.
The current focus regarding treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) to be on therapies that may alter the course of the disease. Some of the evidence regarding the efficacy of these treatments is based on changes in the appearance of neuroimaging studies of the brain and spinal cord and not on the effect of these treatments on clinical symptomatology. Since most of our patients with MS continue to be symptomatic despite the use of immunomodulating agents, it is important for the treating neurologist to be familiar with treatments for these symptoms, many of which are extremely disabling to the patient. Knowing how to deal with common complaints/symptoms of MS enables us to better practice the art of neurological care.
Schwendimann
Robert N
RN
Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, 71130-3932, USA. RSchwe@lsuhsc.edu