Smart and Splendid Summers

Posted on July 29, 2026 by Teena Palathanam

As we dive into the bright and sun-filled days of summer, I find myself pondering just how wonderful this season feels in our lives. Probably the best part is the joy of spending time with loved ones and building meaningful connections. While travel is a big part of the season, it is important to plan mindfully—especially when living with MS. Since every individual’s MS journey is different, it is important to plan based on your needs. Make time for rest, listen to your body, and prepare ahead so you can truly cherish the holiday experience. Since travel can also be costly, there are several smart ways to reduce expenses without compromising on the comfort of the holidays.

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Weather, Geography, and MS: Finding Your Climate Comfort Zone

Posted on July 8, 2026 by MultipleSclerosis.net

Living with multiple sclerosis often means navigating a lot of unpredictability. While a lot of time is spent focusing on treatments and doctor appointments, there is one massive factor affecting daily life that is completely out of anyone’s control: the weather. From a sudden spike in humidity to the geographic location called home, the environment plays a huge role in how people feel from day to day.

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Ask the Expert: Bowel Problems

Posted on July 1, 2026 by MSAA

Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD

MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer

Barry Hendin, MD

Question: Many individuals with MS experience bowel issues, most commonly constipation. How may this symptom be addressed through lifestyle and dietary changes?

Answer: Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in people with multiple sclerosis. These can range from upper gastrointestinal symptoms, such as trouble swallowing, abdominal discomfort, and acid reflux, to lower gastrointestinal symptoms, such as constipation, diarrhea, and fecal incontinence.

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My Inner Cheerleader

Posted on June 29, 2026 by MSAA

By Stacie Prada

“The reward of a thing well done is having done it.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sure, Ralph. Sometimes, having something done well is enough. It’s a relief to have it off the to-do list. It’s not nagging at me, and I’m not stressing about doing it anymore. But sometimes I still need acknowledgment for my hard work. A quiet nod or smile to myself in recognition: a star or smiley face drawn in my journal.

A lot of living with multiple sclerosis for me is invisible, and the effort it takes to prevent or delay physical decline is huge.

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Life Beyond the Relapse: Real Stories of Living with SPMS

Posted on May 11, 2026 by MultipleSclerosis.net

If you are living with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), you know that life feels different from how it used to be. For years, you might have lived in the RRMS world, waiting for an attack, treating it, and mostly bouncing back. But SPMS changes the rules. It’s less about the sudden storms and more about a slow, steady tide.

We looked at stories and forum posts from people walking this same path. Here is what they say life with SPMS is really like, in their own words.

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Ask the Expert: MS Hug

Posted on May 1, 2026 by MSAA

Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD

MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer

Barry Hendin, MD

Question: What causes the pain and tight pressure around the body known as an “MS hug,” how is it treated, and can it be avoided?

Answer: The causes of the MS hug aren’t entirely clear, but we believe it is caused by an inflammation or injury to the nerves of the central nervous system (CNS), consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. This inflammation interrupts nerve impulses and sends mixed signals to the body and the muscles. When experiencing these symptoms for the first time, it is often uncomfortable and disturbing. The term “hug” may sound inappropriate as a hug normally refers to a warm and affectionate feeling, unlike an “MS hug” that can be quite uncomfortable.

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Ask the Expert: Visual Disorders

Posted on February 27, 2026 by MSAA

Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD

MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer

Barry Hendin, MD

Question: What types of visual disorders may be caused by MS, and are any types of visual issues not typically associated with MS?

Answer: Visual signs and symptoms are common in multiple sclerosis and ultimately affect the majority of people with MS at some time in their lives. Problems occur when there is demyelination of the optic nerve or the brain stem centers that control eye movements.

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More Than Just the Sniffles: Navigating Colds and Flu with MS

Posted on February 9, 2026 by MultipleSclerosis.net

For the average person, catching a cold is a minor inconvenience—a few days of tissues and cough syrup before bouncing back to work. But for those of us living with multiple sclerosis (MS), the narrative is often drastically different. We know that a “simple” bug can feel like a seismic event. As one community member vividly shared, “mundane ailments can knock us down for the count.” What might be a fleeting annoyance for our friends and family can hit us with the force of a freight train, leaving us drained and vulnerable.

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The Winter Paradox: Why the Cold is Both a Sanctuary and a Struggle for MS

Posted on January 9, 2026 by MultipleSclerosis.net

We often talk about the “summer slide” when the heat wipes us out, but winter is just as complicated for our community. Some of us are celebrating the drop in temperatures, while others are dreading the daily pain. It really shows how different MS can be for everyone. We are all just trying to figure out how to handle the thermostat without losing our minds.

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Ask the Expert: Depression

Posted on December 29, 2025 by MSAA

Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD

MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer

Barry Hendin, MD

Question: What should care partners do if they suspect depression in their loved one with MS, and what are the treatment options?

Answer: Like other medical illnesses, depression is often a shared experience between the person experiencing it and their care partner. It’s helpful to be an empathetic listener and supporter, rather than believing that it’s up to you to fix it.

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