Mario Sahaj asked:




Just a couple years ago there were no medication available to completely cure multiple sclerosis (MS). There were just medications and different therapies to keep MS severity relatively under control. But what is happening today? Today researchers say that there are real hopes for a vaccine that will help MS patients cure the disease. Despite the enormous advances in the pharmacological treatment there will still be needed some time till this vaccine will actually be approved by FDA as a safe medication for use.

How is a dental professional related to ms patients?

One of the reasons why dentists and hygienists need to have a general idea about the progression of this disease is the medications that these patients take to reduce the negative effects in their lifestyle caused by the disease it self. A dental professional should consider the fact that almost all the drugs that cure MS have enormous side effects. Dental professionals need to know the effect of the drugs and how can they interfere with the dental treatment. Ms drugs have enormous side effects that not only interfere with the dental treatment but they can cause dental emergencies unexpectedly as well. Here are the characteristics of the most common drugs used to treat MS disease.

There are two types of drugs that are widely used to treat MS. Immune suppressants and muscle relaxants.

* Immune suppressant

Since MS is caused by the “attack” of our own white blood cells against the nervous system ( myelin) it was required a medication that would reduce or temporary neutralize the effect of these white blood cells in our body. Many of you will ask: “Aren’t immunosuppressive drugs dangerous”? The answer is very simple YES. By taking immunosuppressant drugs we compromise our overall health because the level of protection in the body against microorganisms is very low, making our organism susceptible to diffenrent types of bacterias and viruses.

* Muscle relaxant

Nerves play a major role in making the muscles in our body work relax and contract. In MS patients this seems to be relatively uncontrolled. MS crisis include Spasticity of the muscles (the muscles involuntarily contract). This imbalanced spascticity comes as a consequence of the electrical impulses that come from the major nerve branches that originate in spinal cord resulting in irregulars muscle spasms. By neutralizing these nerves with muscle relaxant drugs doctors decrease muscle spasticity and increase patients comfort.

Do the Drugs Cure MS?

These medications do not cure MS, but they do reduce the frequency and severity of attacks and the development of new brain lesions. In addition, they slow down the progression of MS, reducing future disability. These drugs can improve the quality of life for many people with MS. Therefore, most doctors suggest that treatment with one of these drugs be started in most people as soon as a diagnosis of MS has been made. Again these drugs don’t cure MS but they increase patients comfort and reduces the severity of the MS crisis.

Here are some of the most common drugs used that a dental professional needs to be aware of:

Betaseron

Betaseron the first safe preventive medication to patients that experience the first episodes of MS, approved from FDA in US and Canada. It helps or prevent the progression of the disease

Glatiramer acetate

This drug helps prevent the body’s immune system from attacking nerve fibers. Is an artificial protein that resembles a natural myelin protein. It is not known exactly how the medication works. Administered as an injection beneath the skin one time a day. Reduces the frequency of relapses
Major side effects are : Chest pain, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath similar to that experienced in a heart attack .These side effects are usually mild and go away on their own (1-2 hours after the injection)

Tysabri Therapy

Tysabri is an immunosuppressive drug that reduces the effect of the white blood cells that destroy the myelin sheath .

Side effects include: Infections, Allergic reactions, Depression, Gall bladder disorders, Headache, Fatigue, Joint pain, Menstrual problems

IV Steroids

It’s a temporary drug that is given for 5 days through IV injection
Side effects: Stomach irritation, such as indigestion and heartburn, Increased energy, Rapid heartbeat, Flushing of the face, neck or chest, Bone-thinning osteoporosis

Cytoxin Therapy

Used to treat cancer or organ transplant rejection. It is an immunosuppressant agent. Reduces the attacks and improves the patients life style. Unfortunately it has serious side effects.

Cannabis

The recreational drug cannabis is used by some MS patients. To alleviate symptoms of spasticity and to help with bladder control. Dentist professionals should be alert to the possible use of cannabis by MS patients. Since it is a mood altering drug, providers should take note of patient behaviors and responses.

Multiple Sclerosis Vaccine

Its called BHT-3009 and it was discovered by Canadian researchers from Montreal Neurological Institute. First tried on 30 patients a year ago and the results were amazing. BHT-3009 was safe and well tolerated. What is so amazing about this vaccine is that if successful in MS, this vaccine will be used to treat type 1 Diabetes mellitus, Systemic lupus erythematous, Rheumatoid arthritis, Myasthenia gravis

Conclusion about the vaccine

Researchers from different universities of North America think that results in phase 2 were amazing, no toxicity found, considerable immunological changes and great improvements in client’s lifestyle, but as randomly happens with every drug discovery sceptics try to point the negative side effects that might appear in the future warning the public that progress in understanding multiple sclerosis has been quickening, and the side effects might show later one and could be fatal!

Pain Management