Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD
MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer
Question: How is weakness in MS best treated?
Answer: Weakness in multiple sclerosis can be divided into “primary weakness,” due to injuries from lesions of the spinal cord and brain; or “secondary weakness,” which comes from issues such as inactivity, fatigue, pain, or medications used to treat multiple sclerosis and its symptoms.
Continue readingOne overlooked symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) is sensory overload. Noise, lights, and crowds cause panic and lead to feeling overwhelmed. Many with MS do not realize sensory overload is a symptom. It feels confusing when it first happens.
MultipleSclerosis.net published an article about sensory overload that resonated with many readers. The insights and responses from the community are worth sharing!
Navigating pain is a consistent challenge with multiple sclerosis (MS). Nights are often not restful. Many with MS wake in pain. It is challenging to move first thing in the morning.
MultipleSclerosis.net members recently engaged in a discussion about morning pain. Here are some of the insights they shared.
Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD
MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer
Question: What types of problems most often interfere with sleep for individuals with MS?
Answer: High quality sleep is generally recognized as an important health benefit for everyone, and this is especially true for people with MS. Poor quality sleep can increase MS symptoms such as fatigue, pain, daytime sleepiness, anxiety, and depression, as well as difficulties with memory and concentration. Unfortunately, more than half of those with MS have some kind of a sleep disorder or sleep dysfunction, which is a higher proportion than for those in the general population.
Continue readingLiving with multiple sclerosis (MS) can feel lonely. It is hard for others to understand the spectrum of MS symptoms. Fortunately, there are communities to connect with others navigating MS! It makes the journey feel less isolating.
MultipleSclerosis.net recently posted the following:
“Fill in the blank: ______ is something that only someone with multiple sclerosis would understand.”
This question clearly resonated, as there were over 350 responses! Among the comments, some common themes emerged.
A concern for many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is the fear of falling. Loss of balance with this disease makes falling a common problem. But many find that slowing down, walking carefully, and learning to get up safely after a fall can be helpful.1
MulipleSclerosis.net recently published an article that highlighted some of these trials. Given the reaction it received, it clearly resonated with lots of people! Here are some of the themes that people shared in response to the article.
Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD
MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer
Question: How can MS affect the ability to swallow and what treatments are available?
Answer: Dysphagia refers to any problem swallowing. This issue is common in a number of neurological disorders, including MS. It’s estimated that approximately one-third of people living with MS will experience difficulty swallowing or dysphagia at some point in their lifetime.
Continue readingTravelling with MS can be overwhelming, especially if you are travelling to a new destination. Not knowing where the restrooms are or having a place to relax when your legs give way can cause a lot of anxiety for individuals with MS. The unpredictability that comes with MS adds to the stress. Although unexpected hiccups can happen to anyone, planning your itinerary ahead of time will eliminate a great deal of anxiety. Below are some tips to keep in mind when you are planning for a vacation:
Continue readingOne frustrating symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) is the cognitive impact. Those of us with MS often struggle with memory, recall, and speech. When words vanish, we get creative in communicating!
MultipleSclerosis.net posted the following prompt to the community:
“MS can mess with our word recall and speech function, making remembering the names of people, places, and things difficult. If only there was 1 word for it all. We want to know, what would your word be? Example: ‘Can you please hand me the _____ over there?’ Philadelphia natives might throw the word ‘jawn’ in there!”
There was a lot of engagement with this topic!
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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