Life with Multiple Sclerosis: Coping Strategies and Daily Management

   Multiple sclerosis is like a maze with shifting walls, where every turn brings a new challenge and the path to clarity can be obscured by unexpected obstacles. If you have multiple sclerosis (MS), adjusting parts of your life can make tasks easier. It can also reduce fatigue.

Self-care is important. A balanced diet and regular exercise may lessen MS symptoms. Always follow your doctor’s advice and treatment plan. These are some of the things physicians tell us. But there is much more you can do to cope with MS on a daily basis.

Making accommodations

Making life easier with MS is all about smart, little tweaks. They can make a big difference in one’s quality of life. Some of the simple tips you can try out include:

●Keep a journal, written or audio, to track your condition.

●Use voice-to-text software to skip typing.

●Designate a spot for your most-used items so you’re not hunting for them.

●Grab some occupational therapy tools to help with tasks like socks-pulling and jar-opening.

●Set up reminders and notes on your phone.

●Ask friends and family to help with chores like shopping or getting around.

Balancing your body temperature

MS and temperature changes? Not the best combination. Heat can make things worse, so keep calm.

To stay chill, you can wear cool gel packs to stay cool. Switch to a cooling mattress or use cooling pads. Take cool baths to beat the heat. Drinking plenty of water is an ideal way to help your body stay balanced. Use fans or air conditioning to keep things cool at home or work.

Engaging in light movement

Being physically active can alleviate some daily difficulties. If you are feeling fatigued due to MS, you can try to perform gentle activities and hold supportive postures. To do this, you can

 ●Perform stretches for a few minutes every day to relieve muscle tension and spasticity.

●Build core strength to reduce back, joint, and neck pain.

●Sleep with a pillow or bolster under your knees to lower back pressure and prevent morning pain and stiffness.

Conserving energy

Fatigue from MS is usually an accompanying symptom. It is best to manage your efforts and rest when it’s required. For routine management of MS symptoms, here are a few recommendations.

●Sitting is recommended when doing laundry, cutting vegetables, and similar activities.

●Use a trollet for setting and clearing the table or putting away laundry.

●Keep cleaning supplies around the house to avoid carrying them.

●Use a removable showerhead so you can sit while showering.

●Switch to lightweight bedding for easier movement at night.

Anticipating Potential Risks

MS symptoms, such as reduced motor control and loss of balance, may impact your safety. These symptoms can affect your coordination and mobility.

If you notice these issues or think you might need extra support to prevent falls, talk to your healthcare professional about solutions.

To improve safety, consider these changes:

Wear light, anti-slip closed shoes instead of slippers or sandals. Add non-skid mats to your shower, bath, and around the kitchen and bathroom. Use appliances and electronics with auto-shutoff features. Leave bathroom and bedroom doors unlocked if possible.

Keep your phone with you, even at home. Install handrails where needed, like on staircases or in the shower. Ask friends and family to check in on you when you're alone.

Moving as Often as Possible

MS fatigue and stiffness might make exercise seem unappealing, but staying active can help with your symptoms.

Research shows that regular exercise can improve strength, balance, endurance, and flexibility. It may also reduce the risk of other health issues and boost cognitive and mental health.

You don't need to do intense or long workouts. Consider activities like dancing, walking, water aerobics, doing chores, playing with pets, yoga, or Tai Chi.

Anticipating potential risks

MS symptoms, such as reduced motor control and loss of balance, may impact your safety. These symptoms can affect your coordination and mobility. If you notice these issues or think you need extra support to prevent falls, talk to your healthcare professional about solutions.

Wear light, anti-slip closed shoes instead of slippers or sandals. Add non-skid mats to your shower, bath, and around the kitchen and bathroom. Use appliances and electronics with auto-shutoff features. Leave bathroom and bedroom doors unlocked if possible.

Keep your phone with you, even at home. Install handrails where needed, like on staircases or in the shower. Ask friends and family to check in on you when you're alone.

Moving as often as possible

MS fatigue and stiffness might make exercise seem unappealing, but staying active can help with your symptoms. Research shows that regular exercise can improve strength, balance, endurance, and flexibility. It may also reduce the risk of other health issues and boost cognitive and mental health.

You don't need to do intense or long workouts. Consider activities like dancing, walking, water aerobics, doing chores, playing with pets, yoga, or Tai Chi.

Opting for a nutrient-rich diet

A proper diet can help your body perform optimally and cope with MS rather well. For instance, you can enrich your diet with nutrient-dense foods like garlic, eggs, kale, sweet potatoes, fresh berries, and salmon.

Before making any major changes to the current eating habits, consult your physician. They can determine whether or not you have some nutritional ignorance or can advise a nutritionist to create a suitable eating routine for you.

Your healthcare practitioner may also recommend nutritional supplements like Vitamin D, Biotin, and/or Omega 3. However, ensure that you always inform your physician before such supplements are commenced. Some food items and supplements can interact negatively with MS medications.

Training Your Brain

MS can bring cognitive challenges that make daily life harder. Early research suggests that brain exercises, including those on computers or other devices, might help preserve function and slow cognitive decline.
A 2017 study involved 62 people with mild to moderate cognitive impairment from MS. The 30 participants who did computer-assisted cognitive training showed improvements in verbal memory, working memory, phonetic fluency, anxiety symptoms, and self-reported quality of life.

However, there were no reported improvements in fatigue or depressive symptoms.