Top Tips for Staying Cool During a Late Spring Hot Spell

We’re in the throes of a late spring scorcher here in Ireland, and we’re clearly not the only ones: I’ve been hearing from people with multiple sclerosis (MS) from all over the world who are dealing with high temperatures. From Europe to South Africa, and Australia to the United States, people with MS have been sending me their best advice on coping with the heat. Why is heat such an issue for those of us with MS? Multiple sclerosis is a condition affecting the central nervous system — the body’s “electronic system” — and electrons don’t function efficiently when heated (which is why your electronics have little fans in them to keep them cool). Similarly, when the body’s core temperature rises even a little, a nerve that’s missing its protective myelin sheath (as happens in MS) has even less ability than normal to conduct electrical impulses. Not everyone’s MS is affected by heat. Some people report that muscle stiffness and spasticity are eased in warmer weather and that they have a more difficult go of it in cold weather. But for many of us, hot temperatures are a problem, and they demand strategies for staying cool. Tips for Keeping Your Body Cool The National Multiple Sclerosis Society lists the following as a solid start for avoiding overheating if you know that you’re in for a hot spell: Stay in an air-conditioned environment during periods of extreme heat and humidity. If an air conditioner is needed to help minimize MS symptoms, the cost ...
Source: Life with MS - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: multiple sclerosis Living with MS MS Around the Globe MS fatigue Symptom management trevis gleason Source Type: blogs