MS Types: new definitions, new ways of thinking

Once upon a time, there was just a one-size-fits-all way to describe the disease known as multiple sclerosis (MS).  However, it was apparent that there was a wide range of individual courses. Some, but not all patients, suffered attacks.  Some remained relatively stable for many years, while others steadily worsened.  

A big advancement came in 1996 when an advisory committee of the National MS Society published a guideline for categorizing patients into one of four disease types: 

Food for the Brain 2015: videos posted online

Our second annual MS & Nutrition Workshop covered:

• The latest scientific findings on MS and nutrition
•  Practical advice regarding healthy eating and strategies for maintaining a healthy diet in the context of challenging MS symptoms
•  The importance of exercise in promoting an overall healthy lifestyle

MS Workshop: Optimize Your Day-to-Day Function

Learn how rehabilitation services can improve and preserve your mental and Physical well-being. Key topics will include cognitive and physical fatigue management, exercise and mobility, community resources, employment accommodations, stress management and practical approaches to improve function.

Saturday, March 5, 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Education Center in the Evergreen Surgery and Physician’s Building

12333 NE 130th Lane, Tan 100-101

Kirkland, WA

Registration for this workshop will begin in December 2015

Fall Prevention: Take Action!

Learn strategies for staying safe, active & independent

Each year, millions of adults aged 65 and older fall. Falls can cause moderate to severe injuries, such as hip fractures and head traumas, and can increase the risk of early death. Fortunately, falls are a public health problem that is largely preventable. (CDC). Learn about the risk factors and what you can do to prevent falls so that you can stay active and independent.

Neurological Exercise Group

Gentle stretch and strength exercises done in a chair and standing. For patients affected by neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s, Stroke and Multiple Sclerosis

Tuesdays, 1:00 – 1:50 p.m.

$20/four-week session (once per week)

EvergreenHealth is enrolling for overactive bladder in MS study

The *MIRROR STUDY* is now enrolling patients with MS and overactive bladder. 

The EvergreenHealth MS Center is looking for subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS) and overactive bladder (bladder urgency or loss of bladder control) to participate in a 12 week study that combines behavioral modification with pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercises and oral medication.

Contact: Research Coordinator, Shalom Kilcup @ 425-899-5369

EvergreenHealth MS Center @ 425-899-5350

MIRROR Research Study

Evergreen MS Center

Contact:  Shalom Kilcup

Phone: 425-899-5369

Trial to measure bone density in Gilenya™ patients

The MS Center at EvergreenHealth is now enrolling for MS-BMD - a trial to study the possible effects of disease modifying therapies on bone density in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. 

The MS-BMD trial will measure bone density changes in patients treated with Gilenya™ versus other FDA approved MS therapies or no therapy. This trial will last about 2 years and include at least 6 visits to our clinic.

Neuro-Nutrition Class

An interactive class and discussion group for people who live

with Parkinson’s Disease, MS and other neurologic conditions.

The focus of these classes will be to learn more about how to:

• Plan a good basic diet that provides the nutrition your body needs
• Understand the calories needed to achieve or maintain a reasonable weight
• Develop eating strategies to prevent GI issues like constipation and slow digestion
• Schedule meals for best medication action
• Protect your energy by planning and preparing meals

Safety study of drug to treat walking impairment in MS

ADS-AMT-MS201

Safety and Efficacy of ADS-5102 (Amantadine HCl) Extended Release Capsules in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis and Walking Impairment

Description

This is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-arm, parallel group study of ADS-5102 extended release (ER) capsules, an investigational formulation of amantadine, dosed once daily at bedtime for the treatment of walking impairment in MS. 

Mood & Cognition in MS: What You Can Do

About 60 to 65 percent of people living with MS experience some degree of change in cognition, and more than half of people living with MS experience mood changes at some point in the course of their disease.  Our understanding of the role that cognition and mood play in a person’s experience of multiple sclerosis has expanded dramatically in recent years. 

Hippotherapy and Functional Improvements in Individuals with MS

Hippotherapy (also known as equine therapy) is a unique form of rehabilitative therapy believed to be beneficial for individuals with multiple sclerosis.  Both the shape of the horse’s back and its movements can help stretch hip joints and reduce both pain and spasticity in leg muscles. 

Therapeutic Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis

Build confidence, resilience and stability through this therapeutically designed class specific for people living with MS. Increase your flexibility and calm your nervous system with this safe and compassionate program.

Our therapeutic teacher team’s extensive adaptive yoga training and experience will facilitate your understanding of how to restore, renew and regenerate your energy. Join us for a heartfelt exploration into health, wholeness and well-being. Class is accessible for all levels and capacity.

Neuro-Nutrition Class

An interactive class and discussion group for people who live with Parkinson’s Disease, MS and other neurologic conditions.

The focus of these classes will be to learn more about how to:

• Plan a good basic diet that provides the nutrition your body needs 
• Understand the calories needed to achieve or maintain a reasonable weight 
• Develop eating strategies to prevent GI issues like constipation and slow digestion 
• Schedule meals for best medication action 
• Protect your energy by planning and preparing meals

Ongoing MS Programs for 2015

Registration or information: 

Call 425.899.3000 

Mon.- Fri., 7am-7pm or 24/7 

Online at: 
www.evergreenhealth.com

Multiple Sclerosis Self-Help Group

Find comfort and strength with your peers as you learn, cope, laugh and celebrate the challenges and successes of living with MS. The group is sponsored by the National MS Society and is facilitated by trained volunteers, committed to helping others and who have personal experience with MS.

Evergreen Men’s Group

Come join other men with neurological concerns (MS, Parkinson’s and Stroke) to explore what is happening to our minds and bodies as we look for ways to cope and to thrive in spite of our limitations.

EvergreenHealth Striders raise $915 for MS

More than two dozen members of the EvergreenHealth Striders MS Walk team joined an estimated 4,000 runners and walkers who laced up their shoes and participated in the 2015 Walk April 12. The EvergreenHealth team far surpassed its goal of $500 and raised $915 for MS research.

The heart of the matter: cardiovascular wellness and multiple sclerosis (MS)

People with MS are not immune to health problems that accompany a sedentary lifestyle.  High blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) are found in more than 10% of people with MS, increasing with age.  High cholesterol profiles, particularly high LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol levels have recently been associated with more disease progression and more activity on MRI in MS. 

Life is about so much more than Multiple Sclerosis

If you have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, or know someone who has been diagnosed, consider the Sunbeam Study. Visit SunbeamStudy.com or contact the participating physician below.

Food for Brain 2015

Revitalize your nutritional health with a lively discussion of the latest scientific findings on MS and nutrition, practical advice regarding healthy eating, strategies for maintaining a healthy diet in the context of challenging MS symptoms, and the importance of exercise in promoting an overall healthy lifestyle.

Feeling like your world is a little out of control? Your body and brain are in a conspiracy not to work together and make your life miserable? Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “We may have all come here on different ships, but we’re all in the same boat now.”

Neuro-Nutrition Class

3rd Friday of each month 
9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 
Rainier Room, DeYoung Pavilion  

Please call to register Evergreen HealthLine 425. 899.3000

An interactive class and discussion group for people who live with Parkinson’s Disease, MS and other neurologic conditions.  Free with registration.

Improve your communication skills in a relaxed, welcoming environment with others who have communication difficulty from stroke, Parkinson’s or other neurological changes. Facilitated by an Evergreen speech-language pathologist. Light snacks and beverages provided.

The exercises take place on the ground but they benefit you in all walks of life. Geared toward those with neurological challenges including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease and post-stroke recovery this weekly mat-oriented class includes elements of yoga, tai chi, dumbbell exercise, exercise bands and more.

Each year, millions of adults aged 65 and older fall. Falls can cause moderate to severe injuries, such as hip fractures and head traumas, and can increase the risk of early death. Fortunately, falls are a public health problem that is largely preventable.

Build confidence, resilience and stability through this therapeutically designed class specific for people living with MS. Increase your flexibility and calm your nervous system with this safe and compassionate program.

During this thought-provoking and engaging course, you’ll explore a whole person approach to fostering your overall health and well-being while living with Multiple Sclerosis. Maureen will provide you with realistic understandings and supply you with practical skills to assist you in moving forward with an integrated, health-promoting and empowered approach to life. You’ll learn:

MS activity and dietary salt

Image courtesy: Dubravko Sorić via Wikipedia

Dietary salt (sodium) is an important element in our diet, with multiple roles, including control of blood pressure, blood volume, and requirement for the proper function of the muscles and nerves.  However, too much salt in the diet may lead to medical disorders, including high blood pressure, and contribute to a buildup of fluid in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or kidney disease.

Therapeutic Yoga for MS

Build confidence, resilience and stability through this therapeutically designed class specific for people living with MS. Increase your flexibility and calm your nervous system with this safe and compassionate program. Our therapeutic teacher team’s extensive adaptive yoga training and experience will facilitate your understanding of how to restore, renew and regenerate your energy. Join us for a heartfelt exploration into health, wholeness and well-being. 

Stay tuned for two exciting programs coming up

Women’s issues in MS Workshop 

Happening in April, this educational workshop will explore key issues impacting women with MS across different life stages:

• Creating life balances and communicating powerfully with family, friends and colleagues
• Relationships and Intimacy: building and maintaining social support and closeness
• Women’s health through the life cycle.

Laughter Therapy

Research has shown that laughter can reduce blood pressure, lower cortisol and raise dopamine. Numerous studies on the use of laughter therapy in the treatment of a range of medical conditions have shown a variety of benefits.

MS walk: join our team

Register

Volunteer

Donate

walkMS.org

Join our team this year for the Walk MS Sunday April 12^th in Seattle at the University of Washington. Our team name is Evergreen Health Striders.

Register at the EvergreenHealth Striders webpage. 

Or look for a form in the MS clinic.

Fall Prevention Workshop

Copyright : Leo Blanchette

Disruptions to the neuro-musculoskeletal systems that result in balance dysfunction affect individuals across the lifespan and is a common impairment in all neurologic disorders.* This can result in falls, which can lead to injury, immobility and hospitalization. 

Understanding why people with neurologic conditions fall and what you can do to reduce your risk for falls is key to your safety and independence.