Living Your Best Life With MS

While there is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis (MS), researchers have found that some lifestyle changes can help reduce symptoms, reduce the number of relapses, improve overall health, and allow you to live your best life.

10 Tips for Living Your Best Life With MS

1. Eat for Optimal Health
   Healthy eating is essential to anyone’s good health, and even more so for people with chronic diseases, such as MS . “A steady and healthy body weight is associated with decreased risk of MS activity (such as relapses and lesions on MRI) and related disability,” according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. While scientists have not found a definitive diet to change the course of MS, experts recommend preparing meals at home as often as possible, incorporating colorful fresh fruits and veggies daily, choosing lean proteins and healthy fats, and avoiding or limiting processed foods and added sugars as much as possible.
    
2. Stay Active
   “Exercise is the single best non-pharmacological treatment for MS,” according to Cedars-Sinai. “Studies show that regular physical activity is good for body, mind, and mood—and it may reduce fatigue, too.” The Mayo Clinic recommends a “gentle approach to exercise” and suggests at least thirty minutes of physical activity at least five days a week.
    
3. Get Enough Sleep
   According to the National MS Society, more than half of people with MS have sleep disorders, and a lack of sleep can make some MS symptoms worse. If you’re having any sleep issues, talk to your doctor.
    
4. Adjust Your Environment
   You never know when MS symptoms will strike, making it hard to navigate your environment; however, making adjustments to your home and office can make getting around so much easier when they do strike.
    
5. Quit Smoking
   According to the National Library of Medicine, “Smoking adversely influences the course of the disease, [and] smokers have an elevated risk of developing MS compared to non-smokers.”
    
6. Reduce Alcohol Consumption
   Alcohol can worsen balance and coordination issues, may cause nerve damage, and interfere with certain medications.
    
7. Follow Your Disease Modifying Treatment (DMT) Plan
   Following the DMT plan recommended by your healthcare team may help slow the progression of disability, reduce the number of relapses, and limit new disease activity.
    
8. Stay Up-to-Date on New Treatments and Clinical Trials
   Don’t rely solely on your healthcare provider to suggest new treatments and clinical trials. Instead, take control of your MS treatment by doing your own research and discussing what you find with your doctor.
    
9. Avoid Triggers
   Common MS triggers include extreme temperatures, illness, stress, and lack of sleep. Avoiding these triggers may help prevent relapses. 
    
10. Take Care of Your Emotional Well-Being
    Unfortunately, “Not only is MS challenging to live with, but it also affects parts of the brain that control mood. In this way, mood changes in MS are both a symptom of and/or a reaction to the disease,” according to the National MS Society. While it’s easy to focus on the physical challenges of MS, don’t neglect your emotional well-being because it can affect how you feel physically, what you eat, how much you exercise, your motivation to care for your health, and so much more.
     

We're Multiple Sclerosis Specialists

Comforting Home Care by Phoebe can help you live your best life with MS. We train all our MS Caregivers in proper lifting techniques and Hoyer Lift use. Our Caregivers understand that MS patients are often prescribed medication that suppresses their immune systems. Therefore, our Caregivers take additional precautions to avoid exposing patients to illnesses, including vaccinations against influenza and other diseases.

Give us a call today at 610-625-5206, or connect with us online.