Multiple sclerosis

What is it?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoinflammatory and autoimmune disease.

Genetic and environmental (infectious) factors are involved that cause a disturbance in the immune response.

Neuroimmunology has helped us to understand the pathophysiology of the disease.

The immune system, which is the body's defence system, protects us from exogenous infectious agents such as germs, viruses etc.

T-lymphocytes represent a part of the immune system that is specialized and recognizes each infectious agent as unique.In this way it recognizes ourselves and therefore does not attack us. This is called immune tolerance.

In multiple sclerosis, this immune immunity is disturbed and T-lymphocytes are turned against our body and specifically against the Central Nervous System (brain - spinal cord), causing destruction of the myelin of the nerves.

Nerve myelin carries messages from one nerve cell to another.

In multiple sclerosis, this is disrupted and messages of movement, sensation, thought cannot be transmitted in a normal way.

This myelin disorder manifests itself with symptoms that are different in each person with multiple sclerosis.

The consequences and problems caused by multiple sclerosis

In multiple sclerosis, this immune tolerance is disrupted and T-lymphocytes are turned Against in our body and specifically in the Central Nervous System (brain - spinal cord), causing destruction of the myelin of the nerves. The myelin of the nerves carries messages from one nerve cell to another. In multiple sclerosis, this is disturbed and the messages of movement, sensation, thought cannot be transferred in a normal way. This myelin disorder is manifested by symptoms that are otherwise in every person with multiple sclerosis.

In more detail:

• The mobility is affected, movement becomes difficult, balance is disturbed, weakness and muscle spasms occur.
• Η Balance is disturbed, the risk of falling increases and fears of falling are created.
• Showing spasticity, which is the increased contraction of muscles involuntarily, without the person's will. The muscles become more rigid and difficult to move the body.
• Gait disorders:

Terror: usually occurs during movement and makes activities more difficult.

• Vision disorders - optic neuritis:

      Blurred vision, double vision, eye movement disorders

• Speech problems: are often mild and do not pose a problem in understanding speech.
• Swallowing problems: difficulty chewing, coughing, feeling that food is difficult to pass through the oesophagus.
• Fatigue - easy fatigue: wants to but cannot do activities. He needs rest at regular intervals. Arms and legs feel heavy.
• Insomnia: sleep regulation also improves fatigue
• Pain: feels it as a stabbing, burning or tightening. It is a bad experience, which overwhelms the person psycho-emotionally.
• Urination and defecation problems: she feels that she wants to urinate too often.

The progression of the disease is unpredictable. In some people it causes mild symptoms, while in others it progresses rapidly. Each case is different. It does not mean that a patient will show all the symptoms of the disease.

In 85% of individuals, MS progresses with relapses (flares) and remissions.

Multiple sclerosis rehabilitation at the Euxia Rehabilitation Centre

Cases that develop with relapses (attacks) are usually hospitalized and treatment is adjusted in the acute phase.

In the Euxia Rehabilitation Centre, patients are treated after discharge from the hospital for the restoration of the manifestations of the impulse.

The Scientific Team of Wellness consists of Rehabilitation Doctors, who collaborate with the Neurologist who monitors and regulates his medication and collaborate with the rest of the Medical Team of Wellness, Neurologist, Urologist,  Cardiologist, Pulmonologist, Orthopedist - as well as with the therapeutic team - physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, hydrotherapists, psychologists) and define the goals of treatment together with the patient, in order to create the appropriate rehabilitation program for each person with multiple sclerosis individually.

The assessment of the clinical picture is based on international assessment scales (EDSS, 9-Hole Peg Test), in order to collect all the information, to capture the size and type of the problems, so that the rehabilitation programme includes the treatment of the disorders as a whole.

The treatment programmes include physiotherapy (the appropriate therapeutic technique is selected each time) and rehabilitation equipment, robotic gait and upper limb training systems, F.E.S., B.W.G.S, balance training with biofeedback, pain therapies, pool therapy to reduce spasticity, balance training and muscle strengthening, neuromuscular stimulation to train swallowing problems, psychological support to improve mood, memory - perception - problem solving training, occupational therapy to improve autonomy.

At the Wellness Rehabilitation Center, we help people with multiple sclerosis regain their abilities and improve their quality of life.

After discharge from Euxia, the patient continues the rehabilitation program with day hospitalization treatments, without staying in Euxia.

We are with you after discharge.

We undertake to prepare all the documents required in order for you to continue your rehabilitation treatment through your Insurance Fund without any charge.