Can you survive MS without medication?

Doctors can't know for sure if your MS will get worse. A small number of people with MS have only mild disease and do well without treatment. But many get worse over time. Medicines can reduce the severity of attacks of relapsing-remitting MS and how often you have them.

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Can you leave a normal life with MS?

Contents. You may have to adapt your daily life if you're diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), but with the right care and support many people can lead long, active and healthy lives.

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Can MS go into remission without medication?

Summary. Multiple sclerosis is a lifelong illness characterized by phases of flare-ups (active symptoms) and remission (mild to no symptoms). You may not need treatment during remission. During flare-ups, medications may be used to suppress the immune system, decrease disease activity, and treat symptoms.

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How long can you live with untreated multiple sclerosis?

FAQs about MS prognosis and life expectancy

Multiple sclerosis itself is not usually lethal, but it can increase the risk of long-term complications, such as infections or trouble swallowing, that can potentially shorten survival. On average, longevity is about five to 10 years shorter in people with MS.

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How long does MS take to disable you?

Disease Course of MS Is Unpredictable

A person with benign MS will have few symptoms or loss of ability after having MS for about 15 years, while most people with MS would be expected to have some degree of disability after that amount of time, particularly if their MS went untreated.

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35 related questions found

Does MS get worse with age?

As you get older, MS becomes more of a progressive disease. You might notice your MS symptoms start to get worse just as you reach menopause.

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Can you have mild MS all your life?

Outlook. The outlook for benign MS isn't clear. Some people who are diagnosed with it never go on to have a more serious disease progression, while others do. Remember, just because you have mild symptoms when you're first diagnosed with MS doesn't mean that they'll stay that way.

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What triggers MS?

Factors that may trigger MS include: Exposure to certain viruses or bacteria: Some research suggests that being exposed to certain infections (such as Epstein-Barr virus) can trigger MS later in life. Where you live: Your environment may play a role in your risk for developing MS.

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Can you stop the progression of MS?

Protect nerves from damage

These include clearing up debris left over from myelin attacks, making sure nerves have the energy they need, and improving transport of important molecules in the nerves. By finding treatments that prevent nerve loss, we could slow or stop the progression of MS.

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How can I control MS without medication?

You can reduce MS symptoms naturally by following a healthy diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, taking vitamins and minerals, using herbal remedies, engaging in stress management techniques, and exercising regularly.

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Can you live with MS without symptoms?

Benign multiple sclerosis (MS) describes a form of MS that a person may have for several years without experiencing any of the severe symptoms that the condition generally causes.

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Can you live with MS for 50 years?

A study in the journal Neurology that used health data from Manitoba, Canada, confirms Chitnis's observation. In the population studied, people with MS had a median life span of 75.9 years, while for people without MS, it was 83.4 years.

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What is the most common cause of death in MS patients?

Pulmonary complications.

MS can weaken the muscles that control the lungs. Such respiratory issues are the major cause of sickness and death in people in the final stages of MS.

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Why do MS patients end up in a wheelchair?

Over time, more than two-thirds of people remain able to walk, although they may need an ambulation aid such as a cane or walker to do so. Some may choose to use a motorized scooter or wheelchair for long distances, in order to conserve energy and remain more active; others may need to use a wheelchair all the time.

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What should I avoid if I have MS?

7 Foods to Avoid When You Have MS
  • Saturated Fats. Saturated fats come primarily from animal products and by-products, such as red meat and full-fat dairy, and are also found in foods that contain palm oil or coconut oil. ...
  • Trans Fats. ...
  • Cow's Milk. ...
  • Sugar. ...
  • Sodium. ...
  • Refined Carbs. ...
  • Gluten.

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Can stress bring out MS?

Stress has been linked to a long list of chronic health conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Though evidence is mixed, some research suggests stress could increase the risk of MS and trigger relapses (also called flare-ups ad exacerbations).

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Is MS inherited from mother or father?

MS is not directly inherited from parent to child. There's no single gene that causes it. Over 200 genes might affect your chances of getting MS.

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What are the 1st symptoms of MS?

In this section
  • Early signs of MS.
  • Balance and dizziness.
  • Bladder.
  • Bowel.
  • Eyes and sight.
  • Fatigue.
  • Hearing problems and MS.
  • MS Tremors.

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How long can you have MS before you know it?

The early stages of MS - and finding out if, indeed, you do have MS - can be a worrying time. The process of diagnosis can take months, in some cases years, and is often referred to as 'limboland'.

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How fast does MS progress?

In many patients, over a span of 5 to 15 years, the attacks begin more indolently, persist more chronically and remit less completely, gradually transforming into a pattern of steady deterioration rather than episodic flares. This pattern is referred to as secondary progressive MS.

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Does MS run in families?

MS is not an inherited disease — it is not passed down from generation to generation. But people can inherit genetic risk. This means that MS is not genetic in the simpler way that black hair or dimples are.

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How serious is multiple sclerosis?

It can cause symptoms like problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance. It's a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability. In many cases, it's possible to treat symptoms. Average life expectancy is slightly reduced for people with MS.

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