Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a critical disease that affects the functioning of the spinal cord and the brain. It eats away at the protective covering of the nerves and can affect a patient’s quality of life significantly. Let’s look at the MS types and treatment options to help understand this disease better:

Basic types of MS
MS can cause vision and coordination impairment and pain, and medical science recognizes four basic types of the condition:

• Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS)
  A majority of the patients who develop MS are affected by this type. In the initial stages of the condition, people complain of relapses of new symptoms, shortness of breath, and sudden tiredness.
• Secondary-Progressive MS (SPMS)
  As the name suggests, this condition is severe and develops after a few years of a person having RRMS. That being said, people may also get SPMS without showing the symptoms of RRMS, and a majority of RRMS patients gradually reach this stage.
• Primary-Progressive MS (PPMS)
  PPMS patients are very few, accounting for only about 10% of all patients with MS. A patient’s health deteriorates slowly in the case of this type of the disease, and one might not have any complaints of relapses or remissions.
• Progressive-Relapsing MS (PRMS)
  This type is the least diagnosed type of the disease and accounts for 5% of MS cases. People with PRMS show signs of consistently bad or worsening health with regular relapses but no remissions.

Treatment options for MS
The MS types and treatment options are interrelated, and the various treatment options for easing MS relapses and progression are:

• Beta interferons
  This is a type of medicine given to an MS patient via injections, and the quantity required may vary from patient to patient on the basis of the frequency and intensity of relapses.
• Glatiramer acetate
  This medication is injected under the skin daily to prevent RRMS symptoms. Doctors also use this medication for patients with a consistent history of MS.
• Fingolimod
  Fingolimod is a capsule prescribed to reduce painful exacerbations and delay physical deterioration.
• Teriflunomide
  Doctors prescribe this tablet for once-a-day use to help improve the severity of relapses.
• Dimethyl fumarate
  Dimethyl fumarate is often prescribed twice daily for managing the symptoms.
• Mitoxantrone
  This provides critical care for people with RRMS, SPMS, and PRMS. The main purpose of prescribing this chemotherapeutic medicine is to soothe neurologic symptoms and reduce the chances of relapses.
• Natalizumab
  Usually considered as the last resort, this medication is used when other forms of treatments do not show the desired results in reducing the frequency and intensity of relapses or in managing other symptoms.

Understanding the MS types and treatment options can help one take the right step toward approaching a healthcare professional for early diagnosis and timely treatment of the condition.