Primarily there are four types of Multiple sclerosis, or MS, and the types and treatment options of MS are inter-connected. Therefore, doctors focus their treatments depending upon the type of MS. Read on to know more about the types and treatment options of MS.

Types of MS

• Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)

It is the first type of MS. To be diagnosed for this type of disease, the neurologic symptoms, which may be caused by loss of myelin or inflammation, should last at least a day. In a few causes, CIS might become the cause of other types of MS. However, for others, CIS shows no progression.

• Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)

It is the most prevalent type of MS, with approximately 80-85% of MS cases being diagnosed as RRMS. Here, there are clear episodes of inflammation followed by definite aggravation of new or recurrent symptoms.

• Primary-progressive MS (PPMS)

It is a relatively less common type of MS and is seen in only 10-15% of all MS cases. Here, the neurological function is further aggravated with the progression of the disease. In PPMS, there might be a minor or temporary improvement, but there is no relapse.

• Secondary-progressive MS (SPMS)

It usually occurs as the second stage of RRMS. Approximately half of all the RRMS cases aggravate and develop into SPMS in a decade. In about 25 years, 90% of people with RRMS tend to get SPMS. However, in some people, there will be minor remissions, occasional relapses, or plateaus.

Treatment

There is no definite cure for MS; however, there are treatments that either slow down the disease’s progression or help symptom management.

Disease-modifying drugs (DMDs)

DMD reduces the severity and the frequency of the episodes of MS and its relapse. DMDs are available in the following variants.

• Injectables

It comprises four medications, pegylated interferon beta-1a, interferon beta-1a, interferon beta-1b, and glatiramer acetate

• Infusions

Therapies given via infusion include mitoxantrone, ocrelizumab, alemtuzumab, and natalizumab

• Oral treatments

It comprises medicines taken in the form of pills, such as cladribine, siponimod , fingolimod, dimethyl fumarate, teriflunomide, diroximel fumarate, and ozanimod

• Stem cells

Stem cells help treat neural damage caused by MS.

Treatments for relapses

• Corticosteroids

A prominent symptom of the MS relapse is inflammation. It can further cause symptoms like weakness, fatigue, and pain. To relieve these symptoms, doctors prescribe corticosteroids.

Other treatments

In case corticosteroids do not work as desired, the following alternative treatments are prescribed.

• Plasmapheresis
  Here blood from the body is removed, filtered for antibodies that can damage the nervous system, and the filtered blood is injected back via transfusion.

• ACTH
  It is injected in the muscle beneath the skin to lower inflammation levels.

• Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)
  It helps boost the immune system.