Contents:
- Medical Video: Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis – Medication
- Various easy ways to overcome fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis
- 1. Avoid hot air
- 2. Balance your rest with regular exercise
- 3. Manage stress
- 4. Take certain medications according to your doctor's recommendations
- 5. Get enough sleep
- 6. Eat healthy and nutritious foods
Medical Video: Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis – Medication
Fatigue is one of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis which makes it difficult for sufferers to move. Unlike other symptoms that come and go, symptoms of fatigue undermine the patient's body continuously, making it difficult to move. So, is there a way to overcome fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis?
Various easy ways to overcome fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis
The cause of fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis is not certain. However, experts suspect this is due to a change in activity in the brain that affects the movement of the limbs of the sufferer.
Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, MD, director of the Cleveland Clinic's Mellen Center for Multiple Scleroris Treatment and Research in Ohio, revealed to Everyday Health that the form of fatigue in multiple sclerosis is not just physical exhaustion. Because, fatigue can be in the form of stress conditions, insomnia, side effects of drugs, to muscle spasms.
No need to worry first. The following are 6 strategies that you can do to overcome fatigue due to multiple sclerosis.
1. Avoid hot air
According to Julie Stachowiak, PhD, author The Multiple Sclerosis Manifesto: Action to Take, Principles to Live By who also suffered from multiple sclerosis since 2003, hot air is one of the enemies that should be avoided by multiple sclerosis sufferers. Because the heat temperature acts like "absorbing" one's energy so that patients become easily tired and emotionally unstable.
Therefore, patients should immediately cool their bodies to overcome fatigue. Some ways that can be done is to turn on the fan or air conditioner in the room, take a cold shower, wear thin and comfortable clothes, and drink juice or other cold drinks.
2. Balance your rest with regular exercise
Sufficient exercise can help overcome fatigue due to multiple sclerosis. Now, try to do some form of meditation that can affect your subconscious like tai chi, yoga, or breathing exercises. Not only overcoming fatigue, this exercise is also beneficial for increasing body endurance, balance, and reducing sufferers' weight.
However, not all sufferers of multiple sclerosis can feel the same benefits after exercising. So, talk to your doctor before choosing any sports program.
3. Manage stress
Too long sitting or lying in bed often triggers stress in patients with multiple sclerosis. A study revealed that stress can trigger the growth of lesions in the brain and gradually emerge symptoms of multiple sclerosis, including fatigue.
To overcome this fatigue, try to do regular exercise or just breathe fresh air outside the home, accompanied by a partner or family. If stress does not subside, ask for help from a psychologist or psychiatrist to get cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a type of therapy that can help overcome your psychological problems.
4. Take certain medications according to your doctor's recommendations
When consulting a doctor, try asking for a prescription for certain medications to reduce the fatigue that is felt. Ampyra (dalfampridine) is one drug that can improve nerve conduction and help overcome fatigue. Other types of drugs that can also reduce symptoms of multiple sclerosis are:
- Symmetrel (amantadine)
- Provigil (modafinil)
- Ritalin (methylphenidate)
Remember, not all sufferers of multiple sclerosis will be given the same medication and feel the same benefits. This is why, make sure that you have received the right medicine to treat the symptoms of your disease and are prepared with side effects.
5. Get enough sleep
Sleep is one way to restore energy after a day of activity. But unfortunately, sufferers of multiple sclerosis often experience difficulty sleeping due to disturbing fatigue.
For people with multiple sclerosis, they often wake up in the middle of the night because they want to urinate, tingling in the legs, or pain in the whole body. This can also be caused by several sleep disorders such as restless leg syndrome (RLS) or sleep apnea.
To overcome this, take time to take a nap for at least 20 minutes to build energy in the body and reduce fatigue. At night, try to sleep and wake up at the same time to form a regular sleep pattern every day.
6. Eat healthy and nutritious foods
Intake of healthy and nutritious food is very important to consume to control the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Basically, there is no special diet for people with multiple sclerosis, so the type of food recommended is generally the same as the food menu of normal people.
Choose fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin D, lean protein, and whole grains that are good for overcoming fatigue and other symptoms of multiple sclerosis. If you still find it difficult to manage your diet, ask for help from a doctor or nutritionist to make a healthy diet for you.
