Those who are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) need to take it seriously as it is highly impactful on every stage of life. It’s a long-lasting condition, and a patient has to accept it in order to live with it.
MS is a frightening disease that badly affects the central nervous system. Research shows that around one million people live with MS in the United States. It’s challenging to live with it, but there are ways to cope with it. So, let’s explore the tips that are worth following in order to live with this disease.
Learn about MS
People usually believe in all the misconceptions and myths related to any disease. These misconceptions misguide them. As far as multiple sclerosis is concerned, it is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system. It is necessary to learn the fact-based information about this disease.
MS happens when the immune system damages the myelin sheath by causing inflammation. It is a protective sheath that covers nerve fibers in the spinal cord and brain. When the damage occurs to nerve fibers or the myelin sheath, it ultimately leads to MS and triggers its symptoms. It is not fatal, yet a person diagnosed with it needs to learn how to live with it. Therefore, if you are diagnosed with MS, make sure you explore updated lifestyle tips and advanced treatments about MS and defeat all the misconceptions.
Learn more about treating MS here.
Consider Counseling
Counselors and therapists are available to help you deal with your physical, mental, and spiritual problems. If you find it challenging to deal with MS on your own, you may talk to a reliable therapist or a counselor and discuss your condition. MS has a strong influence on your daily life, relationships, and social circle, so it’s important to tell your counselor in order to deal with these problems. Once you discuss your current issues, you may feel lighter and safer.
Track MS Symptoms
It’s crucial to know that symptoms of MS vary from person to person. Two people can’t experience exactly the same symptoms of MS. Common symptoms include vision problems, walking problems, tingling and numbness, weakness and fatigue, slurred speech, cognitive changes, and bladder dysfunction. However, these symptoms are unpredictable, so it may be harder to track your symptoms. A few people may undergo symptoms that come and go over the course of periods, while others may experience long-lasting MS symptoms. Therefore, try to notice your symptoms and tell your doctor about each detail. They may help you control your symptoms. If you have questions about your MS symptoms or would like to explore more resources, National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) and their robust team of navigators is wonderful.
Avoid MS Triggers
Multiple Sclerosis worsens due to many triggers such as infections, stress, viruses, lack of sleep, overheating, or hot baths. A patient should be aware of these triggers in order to avoid them.
These symptoms can be further triggered when a patient drinks alcohol excessively. It’s because it leads to intoxication that causes slurred speech and poor coordination. Therefore, patients and their loved ones should know what can trigger MS symptoms.
Never delay MS Treatment
The risk of permanent neurological damage exists even in the starting stages of MS. So, as soon as a person is diagnosed with MS, they should go for treatment. There are treatments, including disease-modifying therapies, which help reduce the chance of progression of the disease. Also, these medications may lower the chance of relapses and restrict new disease activity. Various medications, including oral, infused, and injectable medications, are available for MS that should be taken before it’s too late. Other medications are also prescribed to treat symptoms such as depression, bowel problems, dizziness, emotional and behavioral changes, itching, fatigue, sexual problems, tremors, spasticity, and walking issues. These treatments should never be delayed on patients’ behalf. Otherwise, there will be an increased risk of progression and relapses.
Consider Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Complementary and alternative treatments should also be considered with other MS treatments. The research on this topic is ongoing. Complementary and alternative medicines are supported to treat MS in which exercise, vitamin D, acupuncture, and other cooling strategies are demonstrated. It has been investigated that patients with MS use complementary and alternative medicines as a part of their MS management plan. The research shows that medical marijuana has been used to treat MS that helps in relieving MS-related symptoms. Synthetic cannabinoids impact spasticity and pain in a positive way.
Acupuncture is highly recommended as it helps to relieve MS symptoms, including numbness, tingling, pain, and depression. It may also assist in treating fatigue, pain, mood swings, and other serious MS concerns. Also, massages can prevent MS symptoms temporarily by relieving pain and improving circulation.
Take Rest
Feeling tired and fatigued is natural in MS. But never let yourself get more tired. Make sure that you take a nap for at least 2 hours and fall asleep soon at night. Lack of sleep is another symptom that a patient may experience. However, you have to fight with yourself to deal with these symptoms by training your brain to take a rest.
Make your Will Power Strong
Naturally, when a person is diagnosed with any disease, he may feel depression and stress. It has been evaluated that a person can treat himself with his strong will to cure the disease. Those who lose hope and don’t want to pay attention to their disease are less likely to survive for a long time with the disease. As far as MS is concerned, depression is one of its well-known symptoms. You may need a health care professional, counselor, or psychiatrist to help you deal with it. If your MS health care professional recommends you go to a psychiatrist, do not feel shy to go after this treatment.
There is a need to slow the progression of MS as there is no hard and fast cure and treatment for MS. You can improve the quality of your life by implementing a healthy lifestyle. However, it’s only possible when you increase your willpower to fight the disease. Never lose your ability by your behavior, and try to be as positive as you can.
Bottom line
It’s easy to advise someone to follow a pattern, but it is challenging to do it yourself. But following these tips is the only way to survive for a long time and deal with severe conditions of MS. It’s necessary to follow these tips that can help you enjoy life for a long time.
