Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and neurodegeneration of the central nervous system. MS is unpredictable, but common symptoms include numbness and tingling, fatigue, weakness, pain, mood swings, and cognitive changes. Nearly one million people in the United States live with MS.
The physical, mental, and cognitive effects of MS can greatly affect quality of life. Professional treatment is available to treat the condition, but there are lifestyle steps that can make living with MS easier.
Read on to learn coping strategies for living with MS.
Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle With MS
Choosing a healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, but they can be especially important for people with long-term conditions such as MS. See the article : Amber Cahill cited Bloomberg American Health Initiative trends.
While not a therapeutic alternative, lifestyle changes can make symptoms and relapses more manageable.
These changes do not need to be done all at once. Think about what works for you. Small changes over time can have a big impact.
Prioritize Mental Health
Fighting mood and mental health is more common in people with MS. Prioritizing mental health as well as physical health can help protect and even improve the quality of life of people with MS.
Psychotherapy methods can be very useful, including: On the same subject : Pinnertest Food Intolerance Test Review.
Medications may be recommended if there is a mental health disorder. Treatment for mental illness in people with MS is similar to the treatment recommended for the general population, but treatment with MS medications needs to be considered.
Manage Stress
While it is not clear if stress can make the condition worse, anxiety is more common in people with MS. On the same subject : WHO: Monkeypox outbreak is not yet a global health emergency. More research is needed on the effects of stress on the onset of MS and symptoms, but stress management techniques can at least help a person feel better.
Relaxation techniques that may help include:
Recognizing stress, setting realistic goals and priorities, asking for help when needed, staying physically and mentally active, and making time for fun can also help reduce stress levels.
Find Support
Asking for help can be difficult, especially if you are used to doing everything, but seeking support is important.
Areas and people to whom support is provided include:
Where to Find Support
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society provides a resource guide and search tool that can help you connect with health care providers, financial support, emotional support, home care, and more.
Get Plenty of Rest
Many people with MS have trouble sleeping, which can affect cognitive activity during the day.
Talk to your doctor about your sleep problems to help determine the cause (including the possibility of a sleep disorder) and what can be done about it.
Eat Healthy Foods
There is ample evidence that each particular diet is effective in preventing MS or affecting its development. Some of these special foods suggested may even be harmful.
Instead, the same nutritious foods recommended for all adults are recommended for people with MS as well.
Some basic ways to make sure you get proper nutrition include:
Be Careful With Supplements
The use of the supplement should only be done under the guidance of a health care provider, as some supplements may harm people with MS. In particular, avoid any supplements that claim to boost the immune system. While researching the possible link between vitamin D deficiency and MS, talk to your health care provider if a vitamin D supplement is right for you before taking it.
Exercise
Research has shown that exercise can have many benefits for people with MS, including:
Types of physical activity to try include:
Before starting a physical activity or exercise program, it is important to talk to your health care provider to make sure it is right for you.
MS exercise comes with precautions to be taken, including the possibility of heat, dehydration, fatigue, and falls.
Heat can cause minor symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and blurred vision, which have no lasting effect, but may be unpleasant and limit the duration of the activity.
Ways to prevent overheating include:
Have Fun
People with MS may find that because their symptoms are limited to what they can do, they prioritize self-care activities and daily activities over leisure or social activities. However, this can negatively affect their quality of life.
Incorporating participation in meaningful activities to enjoy the treatment plan for people with MS is important.
These goals can be as simple as:
Building Confidence With MS
Consent is one way to build MS confidence. This does not mean “transmitting” the situation, but instead of recognizing that even though MS is out of your control, you control your reactions and decisions. Consent is an ongoing process that involves work and even frustration. But it can ultimately lead to improved life satisfaction.
Other strategies to help boost confidence include:
More Lifestyle Tips for MS
Tips for effective lifestyle coping with MS include:
Tips for Working With MS
In the United States, the American Disability Act (ADA) provides specific requirements for what an employer must do in meeting the needs of people with MS and other disabilities. This includes guidelines for areas such as:
Helpful Work Resources for People With MS
The Jobcentre Network provides a detailed list of recommendations for clinics that can be done at work for people with MS. You can look for proposed accommodation restrictions or work-related work.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society provides an in-depth guide to employment, working with MS, and workplace rights.
What to Expect
MS is not a one-size-fits-all. Just as the symptoms and progression of the condition can vary, so does how different people respond to the diagnosis of MS.
Some people experience fear, sadness, anger, shock, uncertainty, and many other powerful emotions. Others may feel relieved to have a response to the symptoms they have experienced. There is no right or wrong way to react when you are diagnosed with MS.
If you are struggling, talk to your health care provider or mental health professional. They can help you get the support you need.
Summary
Lifestyle changes are not an alternative to treatment for MS, but they can improve the lives of people with MS. Measures such as prioritizing mental health, stress management, eating a balanced diet, exercising, and accessing support can benefit people with MS. You can also discuss with your employer arrangements how you can best continue your work and make any necessary changes in the workplace.
A Word From Verywell
With parallel therapy, there are many things you can do to live with MS easier and more comfortable. Prioritizing your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Talk to your health care provider about activities and lifestyle changes that are best for you to try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can lifestyle changes help reduce the symptoms of MS?
While not an alternative to treatment, people with MS may experience lifestyle changes such as eating a nutritious diet, managing stress, and getting enough sleep can help with their symptoms.
Can you live a comfortable life MS?
Symptoms of MS, severity, progression, and prognosis vary greatly. It is not possible to accurately predict how MS will affect you over time. Regardless of what it looks like, certain treatments and measurements can make life more comfortable for people with MS.
The average life expectancy of people with MS has increased over time, possibly due to improved treatment, health care, and lifestyle changes. Because of the possibility of complications or other medical conditions, the average life expectancy of people with MS is believed to be less than seven years in the general population, but many of these complications are preventable or manageable.
Can you live a normal healthy life with MS?
You may be able to adjust to your daily life if you are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), but with the right care and support many people can live longer, more active and healthier lives.
How long can you live a normal life MS? One study found that the average life expectancy of people with MS is 76 years old. In 2019, life expectancy in the United States was an average of 78.8 years, and by 2020 it had dropped to 77.3 years, primarily due to the infectious disease COVID-19. Many people with MS may live 25 to 35 years or more after the disease is diagnosed.
Can you live a normal quality of life with MS?
Because multiple sclerosis is so different, no one can predict what will happen in the future. But remember, MS is not a fatal disease for most people with MS, and disability is not inevitable. Several studies have shown that people with MS can expect to live 95% of their normal life expectancy.
How does MS affect your daily life?
More than 50% reported limitations in daily activities due to fatigue, physical weakness, balance / coordination problems, heat / cold sensations, memory problems, numbness / tingling, difficulty concentrating, weak movement / muscle stiffness, and insomnia.
Can MS go into remission?
MS involves relapse and forgiveness Most people who seek treatment for MS go through relapse and forgiveness. Forgiveness is a time to recover from the symptoms of relapse. Forgiveness can last for weeks, months, or, in some cases, years. But forgiveness does not mean you do not have MS.
Are bananas good for multiple sclerosis?
Fresh fruit is one of the best foods for Multiple Sclerosis because it provides a large number of micronutrients and antioxidant chemicals, including polyphenols, carotenoids, and anthocyanins. Many fruits, such as kiwi, berries, bananas, and papaya, are also high in magnesium, a deficiency that can be linked to the development of MS.
What fruits are good for multiple sclerosis? According to Harvard Women’s Health Watch, anti-inflammatory foods should include foods such as tomatoes, leafy greens such as spinach and fish, and fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and lemons. There is evidence that eating these foods can benefit MS.
Which food is good for multiple sclerosis?
Foods rich in Vitamin D and Vitamin D can help protect you from the problem. It may also help control the swelling that causes the symptoms of MS. Sunlight helps your skin make nutrients, but oily fish such as salmon or tuna, yogurt, eggs, cereals, and fortified lemon juice are good food sources.
What foods to avoid if you have multiple sclerosis?
In addition, avoiding low-fat diets may help manage the symptoms of MS and possibly the progression of the disease. It is recommended that people with MS avoid certain foods, including processed meat, refined carbohydrates, junk foods, trans fats, and sugary drinks.
