WESTERN SUMMARY
DEFINITION
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS) resulting in loss of muscle control, vision, balance, and sensation. The immune system destroys myelin, the protective and insulating covering of the nerves. This demyelination disrupts or stops the nerve signal transmissions in the CNS. Nerves can regenerate myelin, but not as fast as it is deteriorates in MS. The progression of MS, as well as the types and severity of symptoms, vary widely based on the location and the extent of demyelination.
MS is estimated to affect about 400,000 Americans. With the exception of trauma, it is the most frequent cause of neurological disability beginning in early to middle adulthood. MS is two to three times more common in females than in males, and generally occurs between the ages of 20 and 40. The onset of MS may be dramatic or so mild that a person doesn't even notice any symptoms until far later in the course of the disease.
SYMPTOMS
Common early symptoms of MS include tingling, numbness, loss of balance, weakness in one or more limbs, blurred or double vision. Other symptoms may include slurred speech, sudden onset of paralysis, lack of coordination, or cognitive difficulties. As the disease progresses, there may be muscle spasms, sensitivity to heat, fatigue, dizziness, changes in thinking or physical perception, pain, dysphasia, dysphagia, tremors, gait disturbances, or sexual disturbances.
Secondary symptoms are caused by primary symptoms. For example, paralysis can lead to bedsores; bladder incontinence problems can cause recurrent urinary tract infections.
Tertiary symptoms are the social, psychological, and vocational complications resulting from the primary and secondary symptoms.
FOUR COURSES MS is unpredictable. There are four courses that MS takes:
Relapsing-remitting MS: unpredictable exacerbations followed by full, partial or no recovery of some function
Primary-progressive MS: steady gradual progression without any obvious relapses and remissions
Secondary-progressive MS: initially begins with a relapsing-remitting course, but later evolves into progressive disease
Progressive-relapsing MS: steady progression with acute attacks that may or may not be followed by some recovery
A few MS patients have only mild disease and do well without treatment, but most get worse over time. Some pharmaceutical drugs can reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, and may reduce or delay disability. It is not predictable which medications will work each patient, and medications for MS may have significant side effects. Some may cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, and muscle aches. Others may cause allergic reactions, infections, headaches, fatigue, joint pain, or even heart damage.
EASTERN PATTERNS & HERBAL FORMULAS
1. Internal Wind due to deficiency: blurred vision, dizziness, headache, spasm, tremor, unstable gait, irritability, propensity to anger, red tongue, no tongue coating, wiry-thready-rapid pulse
Bai Shao 12g
E Jiao 6g
Gui Ban 8g
Sheng Di Huang 12g
Huo Ma Ren 4g
Wu Wei Zi 4g
Mu Li 8g
Mai Men Dong 12g
Zhi Gan Cao 8g
Zi Ji Huang 2pieces
Bie Jia 8g
Gou Teng 8g
*Quan Xie 3g (pill/powder use only)
*This formula can be decocted if Quan Xie is not used. If Quan Xie is used it must be in pill or powder form only.
2. Internal Wind due to Blood deficiency: spasm, tremor, unstable gait, weakness of the limbs, dizziness, vertigo, palpitation, thin tongue coating, thready-weak pulse
Tian Ma 6g
Qin Jiao 6g
Xi Xin 6g
Shu Di Huang 12g
Sheng Di Huang 12g
Dang Gui 12g
Chuan Xiong 12g
Bai Shao 12g
Fang Feng 4.2g
Jing Jie 4.2g
Bai Zhu 9g
Huang Qi 9g
Wei Ling Xian 3g
Mu Gua 6g
Gou Teng 6g
*Quan Xie 3g (pill/powder use only)
3. Yang deficiency + Blood deficiency: weakness of the limbs, unstable gait, paralysis of the limbs, cold limbs, unclear speech, clear urination, swollen tongue, white tongue coating, deep-thready pulse
Xian Mao 9g
Yin Yang Huo 9g
Dang Gui 9g
Ba Ji Tian 9g
Huang Qi 120g
Chi Shao 4.5g
Di Long 3g
Chuan Xiong 3g
Tao Ren 3g
Hong Hua 3g
4. Empirical Formula (A): Yin deficiency with Yang rising + Wind-Phlegm in the channels
Huang Qi 15g
Sheng Di Huang 15g
Dan Shen 15g
Bai Jiang Chan 4.5g
Quan Xie 3g
Gou Teng 30g
Xuan Shen 12g
Chi Shao 12g
Bai Shao 12g
Dang Gui 12g
Zhi Mu 10g
Huang Bai 10g
Ju Hua 10g
Bai Ji Li 10g
Jie Geng 8g
Wu Gong 4pieces
Chuan Xiong 5g
5. Empirical Formula (B): LV and KD Yin deficiency
Shu Di Huang 10g
Sheng Di Huang 10g
Gou Qi Zi 10g
Shan Zhu Yu 10g
Lu Jiao Jiao 10g
Gui Ban Jiao 10g
Niu Xi 10g
Nu Zhen Zi 10g
Ba Ji Tian 9g
Wu Wei Zi 9g
He Shou Wu 12g
Gan Cao 5g
Gou Teng 10g
Sang Zhi 10g
Di Long 10g
Mu Gua 10g
Lian Qiao 10g
Xiang Fu 10g
Fo Shou 10g
Zhi Ke 10g
Mu Gua 10g