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Complementary and alternative medicine and multiple sclerosis.

Neurologic clinics·2011

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Complementary and alternative medicine in multiple sclerosis.

Allen C Bowling

Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.)

|July 20, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Many multiple sclerosis (MS) patients use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Discussing CAM risks and benefits with healthcare providers can improve patient care and safety.

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Integrative Medicine

Background:

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used by patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
CAM therapies are not always discussed during conventional medical appointments.
CAM therapies possess diverse risk-benefit profiles for MS patients.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the risk-benefit profiles of various CAM therapies used by MS patients.
To highlight the importance of discussing CAM with healthcare providers.

Main Methods:

Literature review of CAM therapies in the context of multiple sclerosis.
Analysis of reported risks and benefits for individual CAM modalities.

Main Results:

Some CAM therapies (e.g., acupuncture, vitamin D, tai chi, yoga) appear low-risk and potentially beneficial for MS.
Other CAM therapies (e.g., immune-stimulating supplements, bee venom, hyperbaric oxygen) may be ineffective, dangerous, or lack sufficient study.
Significant variability exists in the safety and efficacy of CAM for MS.

Conclusions:

Informed discussion of CAM risks and benefits is crucial for optimizing care in multiple sclerosis.
Healthcare providers should proactively engage patients in conversations about their CAM usage.
Providing evidence-based information on CAM can enhance patient safety and quality of care for MS.