An MS flare is essentially an instance of relapse on the part of a patient whose MS symptoms were previously in remission. When the patient experiences this multiple sclerosis flare, he or she can endure one or more of a variety of MS symptoms for anything from a few days to a lifetime.
In the best case scenario, a patient will experience an MS flare for a few days, and then recover fully from it and remain in remission for years. Unfortunately, the disease does not present this way in all patients. In some patients, the multiple sclerosis flare extends indefinitely and entails severe symptoms. If the patient recovers, then he or she does so to a limited degree. A patient whose eyesight is negatively affected by MS, for instance, may recover somewhat, but still have residual visual impairment.
MS patients’ flares can be controlled to some degree by various medical drugs, particularly if they are started on these drugs early in the development of the disease. The key to treating MS effectively with these drugs entails doing so before the lesions have spread extensively. The patient who begins such treatment early in the development of the disease can hope to recover completely or nearly completely during periods of remission.
More on the Multiple Sclerosis Flare up
Lengthy periods of remission and complete recovery are considered preferable because they slow down patients’ progression towards disability. This is very important because disability often severely impacts a patient’s capacity to lead a productive life. In addition to their concerns about the pain, disability and fatigue associated with the disease, MS patients undoubtedly worry about their ability to meet their responsibilities when affected by MS flares.
Multiple sclerosis affects the central nervous system (CNS) and, in turn, the various bodily organs regulated by the CNS. Its symptoms include weakness, tingling and numbness in the extremities, vision problems, paralysis, dizziness, impaired thinking, slurred speech, incontinence and pain. They tend to be worst or present during flares and minimal or absent during remissions.
One cannot make predictions about the general course of the disease over a given period of time because it manifests differently from person to person. However, based on their personal experiences, individual patients can learn what factors exacerbate their symptoms or trigger their flares. Such factors may include elevated temperatures, malnutrition and stress. The patients can also learn what factors maximize their healing potential during periods of remission. Such factors would entail a healthy routine, including good nutrition, plenty of rest and attention to other health issues and stress.
