MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

GENERAL WAYS to DECREASE your SYMPTOMS

This section looks at #2 in the Goals for this Web Site.

#2: Find general ways to improve the overall health and function of the body so that it is able to repair itself.

Most MS patients discover by trial and error that there are certain things that make them worse. Although there is a lot of individual variation among people, certain patterns consistently emerge.

1.

Irregular sleep, staying up too late, etc.

2.

Binge eating, especially chocolate and junk foods.

3.

Irregular meals or unaccustomed foods.

4.

Alcohol or too much caffeine.

5.

Illness, even a relatively minor virus or a fever.

6.

Changes in temperature, getting chilled or too hot.

7.

Changes in the weather.

8.

Inactivity, not enough exercise.

No one really knows how these things can make you MS symptoms get worse, but there is no doubt that they can. Luckily there are things you can do to minimize the effects even if you can not completely avoid them.

1.

Keep a regular schedule of sleeping and eating.

2.

Eat a healthy diet, avoid junk food and binging.

3.

Use common sense with alcohol and caffeine.

4.

Do your best to avoid getting sick.

5.

Air conditioning may help in the summer, although some people react poorly to the conditioned air.

6.

Avoid getting chilled or overheated, dress appropriately for the weather, wear a hat.

7.

Exercise and stretch regularly.

Exercise and stretching are critically important to your general health and well being. They are also one of the best ways to combat the fatigue that patients with Multiple Sclerosis so often find overwhelming.


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