Why does heat bother ms patients

A worsening of symptoms as a result of becoming overheated with the most common one being blurred vision is a phenomenon known as Uhthoff's sign. Increased activity, hot weather, hot baths and showers, saunas, and hot tubs are all sources of heat that can cause issues for someone living with MS. These sources can trigger a phenomenon known as an MS pseudoexacerbation , which is the experience of having symptoms appear or worsen due to heat exposure.

It's important to understand that this is different from a true relapse. Fortunately, no damage—such as inflammation, loss of myelin, or new lesions—occurs during such an episode. There are some people who are more sensitive to cold than to heat, and their symptoms, especially spasticity, worsen in cold temperatures.

Others with MS are sensitive to both cold and heat, usually with different symptoms caused by different temperature extremes. A person suspected of having MS was immersed in a hot tub of water and watched to see if neurologic symptoms appeared or got worse. Worsening of symptoms in the heat is temporary, and they resolve when the body cools down. Simple cooling techniques usually do the trick.

Here's what you can do to cool off:. While heat intolerance can be extremely debilitating, the good news is that there are simple ways to manage it. Those who are unable to function well at even slightly elevated temperatures may want to consider moving to a cooler geographic location. For most, though, simple strategies are enough to ease heat-related symptoms. Get tips and advice on how you can live a full and happy life with MS.

Sensitivity to heat in MS patients: a factor strongly influencing symptomology--an explorative survey. BMC Neurol. Published Feb Thermoregulation in multiple sclerosis. Journal of Applied Physiology. Management of acute exacerbations in multiple sclerosis.

Ann Indian Acad Neurol. Try pre- and post-cooling to decrease the heating effects of exercise. Get into a bathtub of tepid water and continue adding cooler water over a period of 20 to 30 minutes. A cool bath or shower can also help reduce core body temperature following activity or exposure to a hot environment. If you are considering a move to a "better" climate you may want to investigate to see if this improves your symptoms first.

Explore cooling equipment options and read product reviews Learn more about health insurance coverage for cooling vests and how to appeal an insurance denial Connect to national programs that distribute cooling equipment to people living with MS Paying out of pocket?

Here are a few related topics that may interest you. Our MS Navigators help identify solutions and provide access to the resources you are looking for. Call or contact us online. If you or somone close to you has recently been diagnosed, access our MS information and resources. We use cookies to provide an enhanced experience, to keep our site safe and to deliver specific messaging.

By accepting, you consent to the use of all cookies and by declining, only essential cookies will be used to make our website work. However, the benefits of sun exposure must be balanced against the risks of overheating, as well as the deleterious effects of the sun such as skin cancer , she warns.

Your healthcare team may go beyond your neurologist to include a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, psychologist, social worker, and other specialists. The list includes centers for doctors, specialists, and other resources within 5 to miles of the ZIP code you entered.

However, if you do move and want to continue to see a certain doctor or healthcare provider, the recently expanded availability of telemedicine may give you more options. If you use a wheelchair or scooter to get around, be sure to consider your transportation options. Ride-hailing apps may offer another transportation option in some areas. Try searching online for city or county transportation information, which should list public transit options and indicate whether they are wheelchair accessible.

The best place to live — with or without multiple sclerosis — depends in part on your lifestyle. Would you prefer to be in a city? Rural community? Do you need to be in a certain area for your work? And, of course, you have to consider your budget and what you can or cannot afford. In addition, consider your answers to questions such as: How close are you to activities that are important to you?

How easy is it to access them? If you have to rely on them to get places, where they live can affect where you live.