Possible Links Between Endothelial Health and MS

Possible Links Between Endothelial Health and MS

If you or a loved one suffers from MS, you know how debilitating, painful, and incapacitating that condition can be.  Consequently, every new development and treatment in the field has the potential to bring real change to the lives of those affected with the condition.  Recent studies have been indicating possible links between endothelial health and MS.  Let’s take a look at this possible link, and the implications.

First, you have to start with a basic understanding of endothelial health, as well as how the mechanism of that physical system intersects with the pathology of MS.  We will start with multiple sclerosis; as you are likely already aware, MS itself is a condition in which the coverings of nerve cells are damaged, impacting their ability to communicate properly.

The endothelial system, on the other hand, is the protective system of your body’s circulatory system.  Much how the nerves have ‘coverings’ which are damaged to cause MS in the first place, your circulatory pathways are protected by endothelial cells, which  line the insides of your veins, capillaries, and arteries.

Until fairly recently, endothelial health was not even recognized as something important to a body.  The endothelia were thought of as being relatively inert, simply there to protect the circulatory cells.  This all changed when people began to realize that endothelial health plays an integral role in the circulatory and endocrine systems themselves.  Within a circulatory context, endothelial health is responsible for regulating your blood pressure, coagulation, and several other incredible important functions.  Within the context of hormones, the 60,000 cumulative miles of endothelial cells within your body are extremely important for the secretion of enzymes, hormones, and other chemical compounds.

So how do the two systems tie together?

Usually, it will start with a person causing damage to their endothelial health.  This can either be due to genetic factors or lifestyle choices (stress, eating bad fat, sleep deprivation, and more all can cause endothelial damage).  Once damaged, this leads to an imbalance in your nitric oxide levels, which then can impact the endothelial signaling inside your body.  At that point, it then disrupts the circulatory and endocrine systems, and it is these larger systemic disruptions that can aggravate MS.

Taking care of your endothelial health can offer many benefits; not only will you reduce the risk of developing numerous medical conditions such as MS, but you will also make reduce the risk of heart disease and blood pressure issues at the same time.

Multiple sclerosis, death and assisted suicide

http://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/trevis-gleason-life-with-multiple-sclerosis/a-discussion-beyond-death-and-multiple-sclerosis/?xid=aol_eh-ms_6_20130805_&aolcat=AJA&icid=maing-grid7%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl9%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D356021
 MS & death

MS and Marijuana

As quoted from the article below (see full link)

 

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment with Medical Marijuana

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks the patient's myelin, a substance that serves as a barrier around nerve fibers in the central nervous ystem. The damaged myelin turns into scar tissue, also known as sclerosisMS patients may experience mild, moderate, or severe multiple sclerosis symptoms, and may also experience both relapses and remissions throughout the course of the disease. Multiple Sclerosis patients may benefit from using medical marijuana both for the relief of Multiple Sclerosis symptoms and in hopes of slowing the degeneration of the central nervous system.

http://www.medicalmarijuana.net/uses-and-treatments/multiple-sclerosis/

BG12(tecfidera), So Im swallowing sofa cleaner??

Tecfidera/BG-12 – Newly Approved Treatment for MS

If you or a loved one suffers from multiple sclerosis, you should take a look at a new drug called Tecfidera.  This is a new iteration of a drug known as BG-12 (scientific name dimethyl fumarate); it is classified as a fumaric acid ester, and was banned in the United Stated until recently.

The reason for this ban was that the chemical was previously employed as a fungicide to treat upholstery.  It had side effects that caused burn-like allergic reactions, which led to it getting pulled from the market.  Other reported side effects include gastrointestinal issues (reported by nearly 60% of patients), and more rarely, development of PML.

However, new tests indicate that the drug’s therapeutic effects regarding MS may outweigh any side effects the compound causes.  These tests indicate that BG-12 acts as an Nrf2 signaling pathway; in layman’s’ terms this means that it is similar to fighting fire with fire.  It encourages your body to secrete enzymes meant to fight oxidative changes and stresses in your body, and consequently has a muting effect on the immune system.

While more study is definitely required, if you suffer from severe multiple sclerosis, discuss this new treatment with your doctor and see if this therapy would possibly be a good fit .

Small Study Suggests Possible Benefit for Skin Patch to Reduce Immune Activity in Multiple Sclerosis : National MS Society

Small Study Suggests Possible Benefit for Skin Patch to Reduce Immune Activity in Multiple Sclerosis : National MS Society

Why All-Natural Health Products Are Superior

Why All-Natural Health Products Are Superior

If you follow medical news, you’re aware of the vast array of supplements available on the market designed to promote good health.  However, not all products are created equal, and there is growing evidence that suggests supplements composed entirely of all-natural products are far superior over the long term to those that contain manufactured pharmaceutical ingredients, for several reasons.  Let’s take a look at a few examples which illustrate this advantage:

·         Personal Health and Hygiene Products – Think of things like skin creams, moisturizers, even shampoo and conditioner products.  You see how many of them advertise that they are chemical and odor free these days?  This isn’t a coincidence; people are aware that additives to these products designed to be applied to your skin can easily cause rashes, irritation, or even allergic reactions in some people.  Chemical free and natural is the quite obviously the way to go when buying these products.

·         Hormone-disrupting Substances – Another class of substances that was in heavy use in health products are called phthalates.  This is a particular kind of plasticizing agent, commonly used as coating for pills, tablets, and other products which are ingested.  Other industry uses for the chemicals?  Industrial lubricants, emulsifiers, detergents, glues, paint, and more.  Sounds exactly like something you want to put into your body, doesn’t it?  Tallow is another example here; the parabins used in deodorant have been linked to alarming rates of cancer development in laboratory animals.

·         Anti-oxidants and ORAC Scale Rating – Health products which use all natural substances are often rich in anti-oxidants, the benefits of which are well-known.  They also tend to have higher oxygen radical absorbance capacity (otherwise known as their ORAC rating or value); this means that your body is better able to process and absorb the nutrients and valuable supplements.  Manufactured products tend to have low values on this scale, which means that most of the beneficial vitamins and nutrients end up in your bladder, expelled in your urine; not where you want them to be!

Remember, this list is hardly exclusive of all the benefits natural health products offer!  Products based on natural herbs often are significantly better for you from a nutritional standpoint as well, and can carry heavy doses of the everyday vitamins you need the most of, such as vitamins B, C, and D.  So the next time you’re buying health products, buy natural, botanical, vegan, or PETA certified products; your body will thank you.

Multiple Sclerosis, MS and sex- Lets talk about it.........

Sex and marriage is a conversation piece in itself.  Sex and multiple sclerosis opens up a whole new can of worms. Now we are talking about function, sensation and mental motivation.

 

Being that I am in my forties, prime menopausal time and without a uterus for the past five years due to a hysterectomy, one would conclude that those factors alone would lead to an absentee sex drive.  Then add on the antidepressants , who's known side effects are just that and it seems like a losing battle.  But its not.  And when it comes to matters of intimacy, which I feel are important in a strong marriage, its important to not give up, although it seems to be the easier route.

 

Let me point out immediately, that there are far and few days that I ever feel "horny", as my husband would put it.  But women and men operate on a different sexual level.  In my own belief and personal experience, sex for a women starts in her brain, then travels to her vagina.  Perhaps this is true for an older man with compromised sensations in his crotch as well.  Even without MS, as we age our neurons aren't firing as strongly as we would like.  Also, let me add that there hasn't been a female version of viagra made available as of yet. 

 

So there are two issues here that need to be addressed- the physical crotch area and the mind. 

 

Lets start with the physical, because we are limited to some degree with options.  SO you have a vagina or penis, but unless that is pointed out to you, it goes unnoticed physically.  You need to find a counteractive solution.  What will make you "feel" your genitalia once again?  They have come out with all types of sex creme's that supposedly work as a stimulant to those areas....never worked for me, as a matter of fact , one of the last ones which I tried actually gave me irritation for several days to follow.

 

 What has worked for me as a female? Wellbutrin, or anything with a stimulant effect such as provigil.  I recall back in my days of college snorting cocaine for finals and the stimulant effect made me very susceptible to "horniness".  I'm not proud to admit that I did that, but it was over two decades ago as an invincible youth.  But the point being made that stimulants that ARE PRESCRIBED by your doctor may have the same effect on your sexuality for you as they did for me.  As a matter of fact wellbutrin came as a suggestion from my doctor to combat the sexual side effects of the luvox that I take for anxiety attacks.  But here's the downfall for me regarding stimulants.  Aside from having a heightened sexual drive, I can NOT stand the way I feel on them.  Sex only lasts a short time- maybe minutes in my own encounters but the remains of the stimulant effect lasts an entire 24 hour period. There is nothing worse for me then to feel like my mind is racing and I've just consumed 16 cups of coffee.  And that's probably the amount of coffee you would need to get the same effect.  However, others handle stimulants quite well. Its a personal experience type of scenario.  Wellbutrin also may work differently on each indivisual, as it is also an antidepressant, one known for those side effects.  Aderol also can have the same benefits as reported to me by two friends with Attention deficit disorder. Vulnerably I would also like to add that marijuana in a very limited use setting; such as two or three puffs totally re-introduces you to your crotch.  Its sort of like "HELLO-Remember me>"".  Its magical, and the orgasm is quite enhanced due to the thc properties. Because I suffer from panic attacks occasionally I have learned the hard way that 3 tokes is sufficient and don't recommend anymore. Pot enhances any feeling - good or bad.

 

Mentally, your current state of mind is important - First, I would like to express that since switching to tecfidera, bg-12 i do feel that there is less stress in my MS world due to the drugs mildness in side effects.  A clearing of the mind is also important, sort of like a meditation, leaving it open and less diluted from the immediate concerns of everyday living.  Once your mind is at ease you can train yourself to divulge in fantasy and if you are even braver turn those fantasies into realities,  You see , sex just like any other activity or event needs to be one-upped to keep interest.  Your not programmed to look forward to repetition.  Think back to the days where you went to first base and reminiscing the following few days led to arousal.  Then you went to third base and took second base for granted, the excitement was gone.  Home run, and there was no going backwards.  Now look where you are today- progression is needed. Its human nature and once again this is where your imagination comes to play- no guilt; just gust.  So pull out those handcuffs, buy yourself a magic wand-the BEST vibrator on the market, learn to talk fetish tongue, dress sexy and get crazy.  You only have one life and one genitalia- live it up.