For the most part, there are no hard and fast rules for people who suffer with multiple sclerosis. That’s because every patient faces a unique set of challenges. Even so, most experts agree there are definite don’ts everyone who has the disease shouldn’t ignore.
MS is an autoimmune condition that affects the myelin sheath protecting the nerves around the brain and spinal cord. This damage interrupts communication with other areas of the body and can trigger a wide range of conditions, among them bladder issues, sleep disturbances, difficulty with mobility, brain fog, tremors and visual blurriness.
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Avoiding these six don’ts may not only make living with MS easier, but can even help prevent or lessen some symptoms.
Don’t be in denial. “Now that we have 16 FDA-approved treatment options, there’s something out there for every MS patient,” says Dr. Ben Thrower, medical director of the Andrew C. Carlos MS Institute at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Early treatment means you can either delay or even prevent relapses. Also, the sooner it’s received, the less likely an MS patient will develop serious disabilities later in life,” he says. “You want to put the fire out before it spreads.” In a 2016 study published in the journal Neurology, researchers found those who received treatment with the onset of MS-like symptoms were one-third less likely to eventually be diagnosed with the disease than participants whose treatment was delayed. Those symptoms included numbness, vision and balance problems. The study also found that patients in the early treatment group experienced a 19 percent lower annual relapse rate.
Don’t ignore exercise. “There are plenty of studies showing exercise can improve a host of MS symptoms, including walking speed, balance, brain fog, fatigue, even depression,” says Dr. Léorah Freeman, a neurologist at McGovern Medical School UT Health/UT Physicians in Houston.
“Because the disease is so variable, there’s not just one exercise program,” she says. “So I recommend my patients choose a simple and enjoyable exercise routine that can be adapted to their level of ability.” Although walking, yoga and some aerobic exercises are good options, one of the most adaptable and effective ways to get moving is in the water. A study published in 2014 in the European Journal of Experimental Biology looked at its benefits, specifically with balance. Researchers offered 30 men with MS eight weeks of one-hour aquatic exercises, while 30 men in the control group had no intervention. The result? Overwhelmingly, the group that exercised in the water showed improved balance.
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Don’t cut yourself off from the world. “I’ve found that some of my patients won’t go out to events or get-togethers with friends or family because they feel shame about their disease. Or they withdraw socially because of mobility issues or depression,” Thrower says. “But staying home in isolation can make symptoms feels worse.” What does Thrower suggest? “For starters, make an appointment with a counselor or join a support group. I also encourage my patients who may not have a job to do some kind of volunteer work. You’ll not only be doing something good for the world, but it can take patients away from focusing on their own problems. In some case, volunteering can also encourage the healing power of gratitude.”
Don’t skip your MRI. Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of the brain, spinal cord and other organs and structures in the body. When it comes to MS, it allows doctors to identify new and enlarging central nervous system lesions — a sign that MS is progressing. A routine brain MRI should be considered every six months to two years for all patients with relapsing MS, according to commentary in the May 2015 issue of Neurology Reviews. Dr. Freeman agrees. “An MRI can detect MS activity even if the patient is feeling fine and enables us to treat the symptom before it progresses,” she says. “MRIs can not only help to prevent relapses but can help doctors to prescribe medication that targets the patient’s particular problem.”
Don’t be unprepared for your appointments. Everyone’s time is valuable, so you want to make the most of every minute you have with your doctor. “Write down your questions and concerns, and put the most important ones first. That way you’ll be sure to have the time to get to them,” Thrower says. What else? “Don’t ever be embarrassed to talk about something,” he says. “We’ve heard it all.” And just in case you’re nervous, bring along a trusted friend or family member. Sometimes patients can be so anxious they forget the doctor’s instructions.
[See: 10 Lessons From Empowered Patients.]
Don’t give up on your dreams. “A lot of people with MS are diagnosed in the prime of their lives, and when they get an MS diagnosis they suddenly feel limited,” Freeman says. “But most often barriers are self-imposed.” Freeman tells her patients that almost anything is possible to accomplish with MS, whether it’s getting pregnant, going on a trip, pursuing a career or developing a relationship. “MS is something you have; it’s not who you are.” Don’t forget that.
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6 Things an MS Patient Is Advised Not to Do originally appeared on usnews.com
