Best 15 Treatments For Multiple System Atrophy

Multiple system atrophy is a rare and degenerative neurological disease, which is affecting the involuntary functions of your body, including muscle control, breathing, bladder function, and increased blood pressure. This disease has many similar symptoms to those of Parkinson’s disease, such as poor balance, slow movement, and rigid muscles. This condition affects many parts of your body. Usually, the symptoms of multiple system atrophy develop in adulthood, in the 50s or 60s. There are two types of multiple system atrophy – parkinsonian and cerebellar.

The most common symptoms of the parkinsonian type include problems with posture and balance, tremors, slow movement, difficulty bending your arms and legs, and rigid muscles. The most common symptoms of cerebellar type include difficulty swallowing or chewing; visual disturbances, such as blurred or double vision and difficulty focusing your eyes; slurred, slow or low–volume speech; impaired movement and coordination, such as unsteady gait and loss of balance.

There is no known cause for multiple system atrophy. Some scientists think that an inherited component or environmental toxin is involved in this disease, but there need to be done a lot more studies to know the right cause for this condition. It is noticed that people live 7 – 10 years after the symptoms of multiple system atrophy first appear, but the survival rate can vary. Usually, death is caused by respiratory problems. In rare cases, people with multiple system atrophy can live for 15 years or longer.

There is no cure for multiple system atrophy, but natural treatments can help you to get relief from the symptoms of this condition. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from multiple system atrophy, before you start using some of the below-mentioned home remedies, so in this way you can avoid possible side effects. Here are some natural treatments for multiple system atrophy:

Natural Treatments For Multiple System Atrophy

Avoid getting too hot

 You should stay in air-conditioned rooms on very hot days. You should avoid excessive amounts of heat in the bathroom when you are bathing.

Elevate the head of your bed

You should raise the head of your bed to about a 30 – degree angle, so this can help to minimize the increase in blood pressure when you are sleeping. You should get up slowly from a reclining position.

Wear elastic support stocking up your waist

This will help to keep your blood pressure from dropping.

Tai Chi

This type of technique is originated in China as a martial art. It is sometimes referred to as moving meditation. Practitioners move their bodies slowly, gently, and with awareness, while they are breathing deeply. This technique is incorporating the Chinese conception of yin and yang (used for opposite within the body) and qi (this is vital energy or life force). It is said that practicing Tai Chi can help to support the healthy balance of yin and yang, thereby aiding the flow of qi.

Calorie restriction

When you eat a low–calorie diet, then it can help to boost the brain levels of glutamate, which is a neurotransmitter that contributes to motor control. It is noticed that levels of glutamate (such as dopamine) are diminished in Parkinsonisms. There was one preliminary animal study in which 21 days of calorie restriction restored the glutamate levels to normal.

When it is initiated in the early stages or before the onset of symptoms, this approach has been shown to result in less loss of dopamine-producing neurons. The primate research over the past 3 decades has noticed a 20% calorie-reduced diet can help to promote healthier aging of the brain and the immune system.

High – antioxidant foods

There are some compounds found in certain plant foods in which are shown that can help to protect the energy-producing parts of nerve cells, known as mitochondria. It is thought that the mitochondrial function is playing an important role in the development of Parkinsonian conditions, which is leading to sluggish cells that are accumulating high levels of waste products, cell-damaging toxins, and oxidants.

Sulforaphane is a compound found in cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli, and other cruciferous vegetables. This compound can help to increase the activity of cellular antioxidant defense mechanisms. Turmeric has an active compound known as curcumin which has been shown that possesses mitochondrial and neuroprotective benefits.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is also known as essential oil therapy. It can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted essences from plants to promote, harmonize and balance the health of spirit, mind, and body. Aromatherapy seeks to unify the spiritual, psychological, and physiological processes to enhance the innate healing process of some people. Usually, it is used in massage, but it can be used in other ways, such as diffusing oils for inhalation.

Take steps to raise your blood pressure

You should drink more fluids and add a little salt to your diet. Fluids and salt can increase blood volume and can raise blood pressure. You should drink coffee and other caffeinated fluids, so you will increase your blood pressure.

Massage

You can make the massage with your hands, fingers, knees, elbows, feet, and forearm. Also, you could use a massage device. Massage can help to promote relaxation and well–being, alleviate pain and improve circulation.

Small and frequent meals

It has been noticed that small and frequent meals can help patients who have postprandial hypotension as a problem in the multiple system atrophy.

Make dietary changes

You need to add more fiber to your diet, so you will get relief from constipation. Also, you may benefit from over–the–counter laxatives. You should get up slowly from a reclining position.

Activity

There are some studies in which are shown that exercise of muscles of the lower extremities and abdomen, the water aerobics at hip level (you should not go to swimming because it causes polyuria) and the postural training, in a combination with the drug therapy which has been recommended by your doctor, can help in the natural treatment of multiple system atrophy.

Some of the most important things in the treatment of multiple system atrophy are inpatient evaluation and tailoring. But, if the person who is affected with multiple system atrophy is restricted to bed rest, then his or her functional mobility can decrease rapidly. This is a reason why you need to talk with your doctor before you decide to make some activities for your multiple system atrophy, so you will be sure that it will not worsen your symptoms.

Acupuncture

This is a form of complementary medicine in which the therapist is inserting fine needles into specific areas of your body, which can help in different types of health problems. This technique is working on the body’s motivating energy (which is known as qi) to help it to move smoothly through the pathways of your body. The needles are going into these channels under your skin and they help your body to restore its balance.

The acupuncturist believes that when the flow of qi is not smooth, then it could result in ill health, so the acupuncturist aims to redress the balance of qi to help your body to balance itself again.

Art therapy

People who suffer from multiple system atrophy can take art therapy because it can help them to express their feelings, reduce their anxiety and the sense of isolation. Also, it can promote attention, provide pleasure and nurture social behaviors of people and the sense of self–esteem. In many hospitals people are taking art therapy, so you can do it too.

Music therapy

When you suffer from multiple system atrophy, then depression and anxiety can happen as its symptoms. You can take music therapy, so you will get relief of these symptoms. It will encourage you to move your body and this can help to improve the balance and gut. When you dance to music, then it could improve rigidity, hand movements, and facial expression.

Pilates

This is a type of exercise system which is focusing on stretching and strengthening the whole body. It can help to improve posture, flexibility, muscle – strength, and balance. Pilates is incorporating forms of Western forms of exercise, martial arts, and elements of yoga.

References

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