Las vacaciones en casa o cerca de casa pueden ser agradables y económicas. Aunque a menudo se considera que carecen de aventura o son aburridas, no es así. Las vacaciones en casa pueden ofrecer experiencias únicas llenas de aventura. Unas vacaciones en casa bien planeadas pueden ser prácticas, creativas y ahorrarnos estrés y dinero.
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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.
Continue readingMSAA features the work of many talented artists affected by multiple sclerosis as part of our annual MSAA Art Showcase. Each month we share these artists’ inspiring stories and beautiful artwork with you as our Artist of the Month. This month, we celebrate Lisa Doggett as August’s Artist of the Month. Lisa is from Austin, TX.
“Underwater World”
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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:
Continue readingBeing active is hard. The thought of starting a fitness journey can be nerve-wracking, stressful, and tiring, amongst so many other things. As an individual with an auto immune disorder, staying consistent with a health and fitness regime can feel mentally and physically draining. Having the strength to start a workout and continue when your body constantly feels fatigued and weak is an obstacle like no other. But it is not impossible. As a matter of fact, the more I remain active, the stronger and more capable I feel of pushing my strength to its limits.
The thought of starting a fitness journey, especially in the heat of the summer months, may be daunting. Luckily, there are so many ways to be active while beating the heat – you just have to think creatively!
Here are some fun ideas that may assist you in remaining active this summer:
Continue readingLiving 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.
MSAA features the work of many talented artists affected by multiple sclerosis as part of our annual MSAA Art Showcase. Each month we share these artists’ inspiring stories and beautiful artwork with you as our Artist of the Month. This month, we celebrate Jennifer Reida as July’s Artist of the Month. Jennifer is from Roseburg, OR.
Continue readingLiving 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.
Continue readingFeaturing Barry A. Hendin, MD
MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer
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.
Continue readingIt can be overwhelming managing doctor’s appointments, bills, medications, and all the many responsibilities that come with managing multiple sclerosis. However, prioritizing and strategizing tasks can help manage the stressors of it all to not feel so daunting.
First, prioritize the necessities. I like to think of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs when feeling overwhelmed with what needs to be prioritized. Food, necessary medications, rent/mortgage, and basic utilities always come first.