March 12, 2025
If you or someone you love is living with multiple sclerosis, these tips will help better manage symptoms like fatigue and mobility challenges.
Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) means facing daily challenges that can vary from one moment to the next. Some days, routine tasks feel manageable. Other days, even getting out of bed can be exhausting. Because MS symptoms can be unpredictable, having strategies in place to conserve energy and support mobility can make all the difference in maintaining independence and quality of life.
Smart Energy Management: Doing More with Less Effort
Think of your energy as a limited resource—you wouldn’t spend your entire paycheck in one day, so why drain your energy reserves all at once? By making a few adjustments, you can make each day more manageable.
- Take Breaks Often: Rest before exhaustion sets in to prevent burnout.
- Plan Ahead: Prioritize important tasks when you have the most energy.
- Use Mobility Aids: Walkers, canes, or wheelchairs help reduce strain and conserve energy.
- Simplify Daily Tasks: Adaptive tools like shower chairs, electric toothbrushes, and voice-activated devices can help reduce physical effort.
Creating a Supportive Home Environment
Your home should work for you, not against you. Making simple modifications can help prevent falls and make daily activities easier.
- Remove Obstacles: Keep walkways clear to improve mobility and reduce tripping hazards.
- Add Safety Features: Grab bars in key areas, such as the bathroom, can provide extra stability.
- Consider Accessibility Solutions: A stair lift or ramps can make moving around your home less taxing.
- Use Smart Technology: Hands-free lighting and voice-controlled devices can make life more convenient.
Assistive Equipment: Tools That Make Life Easier
If mobility or fatigue makes certain tasks more difficult, the right equipment can help you stay active and independent.
- Supportive Walking Aids: Canes and walkers improve stability and balance.
- Wheelchairs and Scooters: These provide an option for longer distances or high-fatigue days.
- Extended Reach Tools: Grabbers and reachers help minimize bending and stretching.
Staying Active to Maintain Strength
Movement can help prevent stiffness and keep muscles functioning well. Even small amounts of activity can make a difference.
- Focus on Balance and Coordination: Yoga, tai chi, and seated exercises can improve stability.
- Keep Muscles Flexible: Stretching helps reduce muscle tightness and improve mobility.
- Build Strength: Light resistance exercises can help maintain muscle function.
Staying Cool: Managing Heat Sensitivity
Heat can make MS symptoms worse, so staying cool is essential. A few simple adjustments can help regulate body temperature.
- Wear Cooling Gear: A cooling vest can prevent overheating.
- Keep Your Space Cool: Use fans, air conditioning, or cool showers to stay comfortable.
- Apply Ice Packs: A quick way to reduce body temperature when needed.
Easing Muscle Stiffness and Pain
Muscle tightness and discomfort can make movement harder, but consistent care can help.
- Stretch Daily: Gentle, controlled movements keep muscles from becoming too tight.
- Try Massage Therapy: This can improve circulation and help muscles relax.
- Explore Pain Management Options: Talk to your doctor about potential treatments, including muscle relaxers.
Nutrition: Fueling Your Body for Better Function
A well-balanced diet can help you feel your best.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water supports overall health and reduces fatigue.
- Focus on Anti-Inflammatory Foods: Omega-3-rich foods like salmon and walnuts, along with colorful fruits and vegetables, can help.
- Limit Processed Foods: Excess salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats may contribute to inflammation and sluggishness.
Get the Support You Need
Living with multiple sclerosis is easier with the right help. Continuum provides resources and in-home support for those living with chronic conditions, helping you stay safe, comfortable, and independent. Contact us at (314) 863-9912 to learn more about our services in Chesterfield, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, and throughout St. Charles and St. Louis counties.