Multiple Sclerosis

It is, just like a stroke, a neurological disease. Unlike a stroke, the exact causes of the disease are not yet known – researchers assume that it is a multifactorial event. However, a commonality between stroke and MS in the causes is now known.

This is that coagulation factor XII is responsible for venous congestion in a stroke. In MS, the same coagulation factor is found in the blood in increased concentrations during an acute attack. In MS, this clotting factor is responsible for the immune system attacking the body’s own structures.

In concrete terms, this means that the sheath layers of the nerve fibers are damaged in an inflammatory process, so that nerve stimuli are transmitted less effectively. MS is also known as a disease with many faces, because the symptoms are extremely diverse. For the most part, the symptoms are similar to those of a stroke: muscle weakness or paralysis, spasticity, impaired vision, loss of sensation, gait disorders, speech disorders, bladder and bowel emptying disorders, and possibly psychological disorders.

In contrast to a stroke, however, these symptoms do not occur so suddenly but rather in relapses in most cases. Once a stroke has been overcome with medication and therapy, the symptoms can regress. In most cases, MS is initially relapsing-remitting and later turns into a chronic condition. There is no cure for MS, but the symptoms can be influenced positively by medication, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. If you would like to know more about the signs of multiple sclerosis, we recommend our page on: Symptoms of multiple sclerosis

Physiotherapy after a stroke

After a stroke, in 70% of cases consequential damage remains, such as paresis (paralysis), gait disorders, swallowing disorders, depression or memory disorders. A comprehensive therapy, consisting of occupational therapy, psychotherapy, speech therapy and physiotherapy is therefore necessary. The earlier the therapy begins, the more successful it is.

Although the brain damage cannot be reversed, with intensive therapy it is possible for intact brain structures to learn and take over the tasks from the disturbed areas. Therefore, all therapies begin in the hospital and are continued in the rehabilitation clinic and, if necessary, on an outpatient basis in the practice.This article may also be of interest to you: Physiotherapy for depression Physiotherapy pursues the indicative goal of restoring, improving and maintaining the patient’s mobility in the best possible way. This requires intensive work on the following aspects, among others: body perception, muscle tone, balance and coordination, posture and gait.

In addition, physiotherapy tries to avoid frequent secondary diseases such as postural deformities. In doing so, physiotherapy is based on the stage of the disease and the current symptoms of the patient. If the patient is initially still bedridden, physiotherapy attempts to stimulate the intact areas of the brain, for example by passively moving the extremities, correct positioning in bed and massages using a hedgehog ball or brushes.

The focus is always on the affected side so that the remaining functions on this side are intensively trained. Many physiotherapists work in the rehabilitation of a stroke according to the Bobath concept. It is one of the most frequently used therapy concepts. It aims to restore the patient’s mobility based on neurophysiological principles and to promote independence. If possible, the patient’s relatives are involved in the treatment and are advised.