title: Uses of complementary and alternative medicine in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, disabling, recurrent demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS). It could affect different regions in the brain and spinal cord, and according to the domain which is affected, it could cause different symptoms such as motor, sensory, or visual impairment; fatigue; bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction; cognitive impairment; and depression. MS patients also face reduced quality of life. Drugs that are used in MS are not fully efficient and patients suffer from many symptoms and adverse effects. Today there is an increasing trend of using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). People are more likely to use this type of treatment. Using appropriate lifestyle and CAM therapy can subside some of the symptoms and could improve the quality of life in these patients. Many people with MS explore CAM therapies for their symptoms. This review is aimed to introduce CAM therapies that could be used in MS patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Marine Natural Pharmaceutical Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Foroogh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Namjooyan
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Rahil
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ghanavati
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Nastaran
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Majdinasab
authors.affiliation: Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Arvand International Branch, Abadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Shiva
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jokari
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Janbozorgi
keywords: Complementary and alternative medicine; Multiple sclerosis; Natural cure; Phytotherapy