Last night, I went for a hike with my husband and dog. It was about 7:00pm, but still really warm. I haven’t been experiencing any MS symptoms lately so it really surprised me when my hands went numb up to my elbows and I got tingly from toes to knees. Right away, I knew I was experiencing MS symptoms triggered by the heat.
Overheating, from outdoor temperatures, increased activity and even running a fever can send your nerves into a frenzy. The statistics are all over the place but from what I’ve read, 60-85% of people with MS are sensitive to the heat. Symptoms can range from impaired vision or mobility to something more mild, like numbness and sensory issues.
According to the NMSS, “These temporary changes can result from even a very slight elevation in core body temperature (one-quarter to one-half of a degree) because an elevated temperature further impairs the ability of a demyelinated nerve to conduct electrical impulses.”
Don’t panic! It is important to remember that heat generally produces only temporary worsening of symptoms and does not cause more disease activity (demyelination or damage to the nerves themselves). This has always been a source of comfort for me, because I know I can still push myself occasionally, without worrying about a relapse or further MS progression.
10 Ways To Cool Down
Apply a cold pack to the back of your neck
Take a luke warm or cold shower
Drink something cold
Lie down
Slow down
Wear a cooling vest
Workout near a fan if indoors
Dip your feet in the water
Make homemade juice pops
Eat light, hydrating food
Of course, there are many more ways to cool down, but the most important thing to do is be aware of how you feel and be prepared to cool down. If you are going for a hike in hot temperatures, bring an ice pack. If you are going to spend a day at the pool or beach, jump in the water before you overheat. Cars get hot in the summer, so always bring cold water with you, even if you are just running errands.
Good weather finally arrived in Utah. The snow is melting, cyclists are everywhere and the Utah MS ride is this weekend. Unfortunately, The Ride Project will not have a team at this year’s event. I don’t want to pain you with my list of excuses, but instead, will assure you that my focus right now is on my health and boosting photography sales so I can start sending checks to the Myelin Repair Foundation to support their research for a cure for MS.
I will be featuring The Ride Project photography in a booth at two stages of the Tour of Utah, a fantastic cycling event, August 17-22 that attracts cyclist enthusiasts from all over. I can’t wait to show them my work and tell them about The Ride Project. If you are in Salt Lake City or Park City in August during the event, stop by and say hi!
I want to continue to bring you great health and wellness information, especially about living with MS, so stay tuned for 1-2 posts a week. Please continue to email me or leave a comment with your blog topic suggestions, questions and guest post ideas.
Yep, it’s Thursday – the one day that I don’t think write about MS or health. Instead, today, I am going to take just over one minute, watch this video and dream about riding on the beach and being in love without a care in the world! Enjoy….
I am on a deadline today so I haven’t need any extra distraction to keep from thinking about MS. The gloomy view from my office was a welcome distraction from work though!
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