If someone in your home has Multiple Sclerosis, their symptoms can be exacerbated by exposure to the heat. Even a minor increase in the temperature can cause their body to react. To avoid adverse reaction to the heat during the summer months, you need to keep your home as cool as possible. Here are three ways that the heat can affect your loved one who has Multiple Sclerosis.
Increased Feelings of Fatigue
If your loved one has Multiple Sclerosis, increased body temperature can cause them to tire easily. The heat can also cause their extremities to become weak, which can lead to falls. If you're experiencing extreme temperatures where you live, and your loved one is showing signs of fatigue, you should encourage them to drink additional water. You should also try to get them to a cool location as soon as possible.
Increased Pain
Increased pain is another symptom associated with Multiple Sclerosis and heat exposure. Multiple Sclerosis causes the protective sheath around the nerves to deteriorate, leaving the nerves exposed. As a result, MS sufferers may experience chronic pain, which is made worse by increased body temperatures. If your loved one is experiencing increased pain as a result of the increased temperatures, have them take a cool bath or shower. Afterwards, place a cool cloth or ice pack on their neck. Be sure to place a towel on their skin before you apply the ice pack. The sudden change in temperature can be painful.
Decreased Cognitive Ability
If your loved one has MS, the summer months can be particularly unbearable, especially if they're not able to keep their body temperature at safe levels. If the temperature is rising, keep an eye out for changes in your loved one's cognitive ability. Increased exposure to the heat can cause people with Multiple Sclerosis to experience a decrease in their cognitive ability. Some signs you should be aware of include the following:
If your loved one has MS, the summer heat is raging, you need to get them cooled down as soon as possible. The heat can cause additional health and cognitive problems for people with Multiple Sclerosis. If you're having a hard time getting your home cool enough for your loved one, you should find a local cooling station in your area where you and your loved one can go to cool off. If your loved one becomes lethargic, or exhibits any of the warning signs described above, be sure to seek medical help as soon as possible.
Share13 September 2016
My parents taught me healthy eating habits and I played outside a lot as a kid. Once I was old enough to work, I got a job as a waiter at a restaurant and kept waiting tables throughout high school and college. After college, I got my very first desk job, and my health started declining. I soon realized that even though I had never stepped foot in a gym, I was living a sedentary lifestyle for the first time in my life. I wasn't getting exercise playing outside or running around at work, so I decided to commit to going to the gym. My health began to improve and I now greatly enjoy bodybuilding. I know many other people are in ill health and can't figure out why, so I decided to start a blog to share my health tips and inspire everyone improve their health!
