(253) Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

[HB KIM]

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