| One of the many questions that adults who are | | | | One of the biggest problems with MS and alcohol |
| diagnosed with multiple sclerosis often ask is if | | | | consumption seems to be the exceptionally high |
| they can still continue to enjoy alcoholic beverages | | | | incidence of multiple sclerosis patients who end up |
| or if they are going to be off limits. If you were | | | | with an alcohol abuse problem. Studies done in the |
| to ask many patients about MS and alcohol | | | | last 10 years seem to show that younger adults |
| consumption you are likely to get a wide variety | | | | are at a very high risk for alcohol abuse when |
| of opinions. While the opinions may vary | | | | compared to other MS patients. The research |
| somewhat they seem to all contain a very similar | | | | showed that the risks were especially high among |
| thread in that the amount of alcohol that must be | | | | those who were depressed whether or not they |
| consumed before the person begins to feel the | | | | had a family history of alcohol abuse. |
| effects is significantly lower than they may have | | | | According to an article published by Carrie Lyn |
| been able to consume before contracting MS. | | | | Sammarco in a 2007 issue of Neuroscience |
| The National MS Society Says | | | | Nursing, alcohol abuse seems to be a way that |
| If you were to look to the MS society and ask | | | | some patients attempt to deal with the emotional |
| them for their opinion regarding MS and alcohol | | | | impact of being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis |
| they will tell you that while individual results may | | | | and having to learn how to live with it. Again this |
| differ from patient to patient the overall | | | | is where talking to your doctor or specialist can |
| experience with most patients is negative. Some | | | | help you to decide if having an occasional drink is |
| patients report that their symptoms of lack of | | | | going to be something that you can handle. |
| coordination and balance became significantly | | | | In the end it is a personal decision that only you |
| worse after as little as a single drink. | | | | can make, you have to decide for yourself if you |
| Research has also shown that patients on certain | | | | can handle your MS and alcohol consumption or if |
| MS medication such as Diazepam, Baclofen and a | | | | you need to avoid it. If you feel that an occasional |
| variety of anti depressants notice an additive | | | | drink or two does not seem to have any major |
| effect where the combination of these | | | | side effects then you are probably ok, the alcohol |
| medications for MS and alcohol exacerbate many | | | | itself will not exacerbate the MS itself although it |
| of the symptoms. Before you consider consuming | | | | can make the symptoms worse. On the other |
| any alcoholic beverage you should talk to your | | | | hand if you are drinking to help cope with the fact |
| doctor so that you are more aware of the | | | | that you have multiple sclerosis, you may want to |
| possibility of certain side effects. | | | | seek professional help to find alternative ways to |
| Alcohol Abuse and the MS Patient | | | | come to terms with your disease. |