MS MuSings
A Monthly Online Magazine
By and for those living
with MS,
Multiple Sclerosis
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A Monthly Online Magazine By and for those living with MS, Multiple Sclerosis
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Tables of Contents: Other Monthly: Please visit:
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From Gaz, Support Group Leader
This Newsletter was produced in Cowra, 2002 Tidy Town of the Year for NSW Volume 12 November 2002 This publication is for those who have MS, those who care for that wonderful group of people who have MS and for anyone interested in helping those with MS. We welcome Msers, carers, medical professionals and anyone who has the time to share with us. The names of those group members who are willing to accept phone contact are listed below. Garry Starr 6342 3094 Pauline Taylor 6345 2247 Carol Brennan 6341 3170 Delia Thomson 6367 5015 Dulcie Maybury 6341 1686 Janet Freebairn 6342 2141 June& Kevin Sheedy 6345 3449 Kerri Webb 6345 1926 Margaret Cooke 6342 5367 Ross McDonald 6862 5545 Peter &Jenny Mould 63424969 Jill Englert 6851 4669 Heat And Multiple Sclerosis I have reproduced some information about how heat affects those with MS. The first comes from The National MS Society in the US. As our summer becomes hotter and hotter there maybe some tips to make life a little more comfortable. Many people with MS experience a worsening of their symptoms when they become overheated or when the weather is hot. Some people notice that their vision becomes blurred when they are too hot. This is known as Uhthoff's sign. The reason for this is that higher temperatures further impair the ability of a demyelinated nerve to conduct electrical impulses. Myelin is the protective sheath that surrounds and protects nerve fibres. The destruction of myelin causes the formation of plaques—abnormal areas—on the nerves that slow nerve impulses and produce the symptoms of MS. The ‘Hot Bath’ Test Used for Years to Diagnose MS. Patients who run a fever, or sunbathe, or take very hot showers or baths may experience temporary worsening of some of their MS symptoms. For many years, the "Hot Bath" test was used to help diagnose MS. A person suspected of having MS was immersed in a hot tub of water, and the appearance of neurologic symptoms or their worsening was taken as evidence that the person had MS. Symptoms Are Generally Rapidly Reversed It is important to remember that heat generally produces only temporary worsening of symptoms and does not cause more actual demyelination or scarring. The symptoms are generally rapidly reversed when the source of increased temperature is removed. Cold Can Also Be a Problem Some people with MS notice that symptoms, particularly spasticity, become worse in cold weather. It is generally recommended that people with MS who are sensitive to temperature try to avoid extremes of either hot or cold, and that people who are considering a move to a better climate try to visit first to see if the climate change is, indeed, beneficial.Aquatics Exercise in water—is often recommended because it provides optimal exercise conditions for the person with MS. Water essentially eliminates the effects of gravity. The buoyancy or weightlessness that occurs in water, helps a person with weakened limbs attain a greater range of motion. In addition, chest-high water can provide support, enabling many persons with MS to stand and maintain balance for exercises with less effort than on land. Water also helps reduce body heat that is generated by exercise. Because the core temperature of the body remains lower, there is less overheating, which is often a cause of temporary worsening of MS symptoms. Water temperatures of 26° C to 28° C are usually recommended. Below is some further information from NARCOMS. Which is the North American Research Consortium On MS. Multiple sclerosis damages the myelin surrounding the
nerve axon. As a result, signal conduction along the nerve axon is altered:
slowed, reduced in maximum discharge, or blocked altogether. Elevations in body
temperature magnify these changes. Even small elevations in body temperature
impact alterations in signal conduction. Therefore, it is no surprise that over
80% of patients with multiple sclerosis describe worsening of symptoms with
elevations in body temperature. As more and more nerve activity is altered, physical and cognitive activity are more and more difficult. Fatigue becomes overwhelming, and obtaining the beneficial effects of an exercise training program is impossible, even though exercise is the one activity that improves heat tolerance. Obviously, when the weather is warm or the humidity is
high, patients with multiple sclerosis will feel more comfortable in
air-conditioned and/or dehumidified buildings. Consuming ice chips, ice water,
or other cold beverages may also assist in dissipating body heat. Loose
clothing, fans, or other strategies to increase evaporation of skin moisture are
useful. When exercising, heat management becomes even more essential. Simple
strategies such as working out in an air-conditioned environment with fans
directed on the athlete, wet t-shirts, exercising in a pool of cool water, etc.,
will help in heat dissipation. But whatever system you choose, the take home
message is the same: use cooling as a tool to stay more active. Christmas Party Our final meeting for the year will be our Christmas Dinner Meeting. It will be at the Bowling Club on November 26th. We have planned a traditional Christmas dinner of Turkey, Ham, Plum Pudding etc. Cost will be $15 per head. Time 6.30 for 7 pm. Please Rsvp before 24th November. We are also going to have a gift giving Kris Kringle session. Please bring a gift of no more than $5 value. The wackier the better. Next Year. Paula has suggested that for one of the early meetings next year we decide on what topic/s we might like to explore. I have listed them below. Depending on the topics maybe two could be covered during a two hour session. At the Christmas meeting please have some idea of what would be useful for you. Balancing stress, staying positive, working through employment issues, immunotherapy update, maximising memory. If you have any other suggestions we would be happy to look at them.
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The
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