How to Deal With MS Symptoms

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative nerve disease that can strike anyone at any age but most commonly affects women after the age of twenty and before the age of forty. The protective myelin sheath that encases the nerve cells becomes inflamed when MS flares. Although a typical MS patient may suffer from episodes when the disease is active for a few days or months followed by a period of rest, the nerves may not recuperate and the symptoms may be more severe with each subsequent episode. (Ref 1)

Instructions

• 1

  Follow a healthy diet. Although you may not be able to stop the progression of the disease, eating healthy foods may increase your immune system health. (Ref 2)

• 2

  Schedule time to exercise. Low impact or no impact exercises, such as swimming, will assist in keeping muscles strong and flexible. In addition, regular mild exercise may ward off depression. (Ref 2)

• 3

  Keep your environment cool. MS sufferers find that heat sets off or exacerbates their symptoms. This may include hot baths, overheated rooms, outdoor summer temperatures, saunas and even performing strenuous exercises that overheats the body. If you live in a warm climate, air conditioning may provide welcome relief from heat-related MS symptoms. (Ref-3)

• 4

  Relax to reduce the severity of MS symptoms. Although testing is needed, some MS patients claim that their symptoms are more severe when they are in a stressful situation. Learning to relax may help. Yoga, tai chi and meditation may be beneficial. (See Resources)

• 5

  Divide work and chores into segments with time to rest in between. Fatigue is a common complaint of MS sufferers but with careful planning, they may be able to accomplish their tasks without becoming too tired. In addition, get a full night's sleep and take a nap during the day. (Ref 3)

• 6

  Relocate living, sleeping or working spaces to a single floor if mobility is an issue. In addition to increasing the danger of falls from navigating a staircase, a patient with advanced MS may find it difficult to get to a bathroom or a kitchen with ease. (Ref 3)