Multiple sclerosis related
complications
Multiple
sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive, degenerative disease of the
central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). MS is
demonstrated as a loss of myelin (a protective sheet of protein and
lipids covering the nerve fibers) leading to improper distribution of
nerve signals which can cause: tremor (shaking), extreme weakness,
numbness, paralysis, in-coordination, visual impairment, bowel and
bladder dysfunction.
There have been reports of successful use of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO)
therapy to alleviate the consequences of MS.
HBO in nervous system problems:
- Reduces muscle spasticity
- Relieves numbness (improves
regeneration of peripheral nerves) and allows better sensitivity
- Increases energy level and exercise
capacity (helps in better outcome of physical therapy)
- Reduces fatigue and tremor
- Improves mobility and coordination
HBO in bladder and bowel problems:
- Reduces bladder spasticity (muscle
tension), urinary urgency and frequency
- Increases bladder capacity, muscle strength and improves
bladder
emptying (coordination in relaxation and contraction of the muscle)
- Increases bowel movement by
strengthening and regulating rectal sphincter control
- Prevents infection to occur by generally strengthening
immune system
and increasing capacity to fight infection by enhancing antibiotics
activity, directly killing bacteria or indirectly helping in leukocyte
killing mechanism
