The AC Staycation

Posted on August 5, 2024 by Kate

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I’m a single mom of two young boys (5 & 6) and we live in St. Augustine, FL. It’s hot here. Really hot. Typically, May through October are well into the 90s, and bouncing from one airconditioned space to another is essential even for my non-MSers brethren. To be fair, I like to escape north to the Blue Ridge Mountains when I can, but that only happens once or twice a summer, so I’ve had to get creative on how to spend all of that indoor time. I’m not great at generalizing how I think you should fill your time, so I’ve decided to list out a few things I’ve found to be highly enjoyable as an artsy nerd mom.

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Beat the Heat While Staying Active

Posted on July 31, 2024 by Courtney Merker

Summer brings longer days and the perfect opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities. However, the heat can be a challenge, making it essential to find ways to stay active while remaining safe. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your summer workouts:

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Stay Active and Keep Your Cool

Posted on July 29, 2024 by Claudia Chavez

As the summer heat continues to rise, staying active can be challenging, especially for those managing a chronic health condition like multiple sclerosis (MS). Personally, this summer has felt particularly hot. While staying active is crucial for our health, how can one exercise and keep moving when all they want to do is stay indoors and lie down in front of the fan? Here are some tips to help you remain active and thrive during the summer months:

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Manténgase activo y fresco

Posted on July 29, 2024 by Claudia Chavez

Mantenerse activo puede ser un reto a medida que aumenta el calor del verano, especialmente para quienes padecen una enfermedad crónica como la esclerosis múltiple (EM). Personalmente, este verano ha sido particularmente caluroso. Aunque mantenerse activo es fundamental para nuestra salud, ¿cómo puedo hacer ejercicio y mantenerme activo cuando lo único que quiero hacer es quedarme en casa y acostarme frente al ventilador? A continuación, le ofrezco algunos consejos que le ayudarán a mantenerse activo durante el verano:

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Surviving Summer

Posted on July 24, 2024 by Teena Palathanam

This summer has been incredibly hot across the nation. Possibly due to global warming. Heat waves have been unusually common this year. Staying active in summer can be a challenging task but there are ways you can beat the heat. With some of the tips below, these tips may ensure you are able to continue with your daily routines and exercise regimes.

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Keep Moving

Posted on July 22, 2024 by MSAA

By: Stacie Prada

If you can’t run, then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, stretch, or flex. Just keep moving.

Living an active lifestyle can be a challenge in the best of circumstances. Add living with multiple sclerosis symptoms such as fatigue, foot drop, and heat sensitivity, and it’s generally frustrating and takes more effort to stay motivated. Factor in adverse weather conditions, and it’s a huge undertaking to override the urge to be sedentary.

With MS, it’s common for symptoms to act up when the body temperature increases. That’s why hot weather is one of the many obstacles to staying active. When I was still learning how MS affected my body, it was scary when a jog led to body numbness from the neck down and an inability to control my feet reliably. Over time, I learned to differentiate between heat and exertion-induced pseudo-exacerbations that would subside within an hour or so after I cooled down and disease-progressing exacerbations that last much longer.

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Remaining Active in the Summer Heat

Posted on July 19, 2024 by Alexa Moreno

Exercise and staying active has so many benefits such as improved mental health and wellbeing. However, for many, the extreme summer weather we have been experiencing can make it hard to stay active. Heat sensitivity is a common problem among people with multiple sclerosis, often aggravating common symptoms.

Here are helpful tips on ways to keep your body cool and remain active this summer!

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To Drive or Not to Drive With MS

Posted on July 8, 2024 by MultipleSclerosis.net

Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) changes many things in life. The impact of symptoms on the body makes certain tasks more difficult. For example, driving becomes more challenging as MS progresses.

We recently asked the MultipleSclerosis.net community, “Has MS altered your driving habits?”

There were many insightful replies about how MS impacts whether and how a person continues driving. Some respondents still drive, and others do not. Here is some of the community’s perspective in their own words.

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Thriving with MS: Prioritizing, Budgeting and Community Engagement

Posted on June 28, 2024 by Courtney Merker

Living with multiple sclerosis has its obstacles, but with a hopeful attitude, resourcefulness, and a strong support system, you can navigate these obstacles more effectively. Prioritizing your needs, budgeting wisely and cultivating a robust community are crucial elements in managing life with MS.

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Ask the Expert: Urinary Tract Infections

Posted on June 27, 2024 by MSAA

Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD

MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer

Barry Hendin, MD

Question: Are urinary tract infections (UTIs) more common in MS, and what are the symptoms and treatments?

Answer: Yes, urinary tract infections are more common in people with MS. Multiple sclerosis is often associated with bladder dysfunction and bladder dysfunction is often associated with urinary tract infections. The most common bladder problem associated with infections is urinary retention, which is incomplete emptying of the bladder. This creates an ideal incubator for bacteria to grow. Patients who catheterize may also be at an increased risk, particularly if not careful with their bladder technique.

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