Can Do MS

When trying to determine whether and under what conditions you can work with multiple sclerosis, it is key that you understand the laws that govern accommodations in the workplace.

Following the diagnosis of MS and during periods of change in your MS, it is not unusual to feel your personal GPS is out of whack and not working as well as it had in the past - or not as well as you were hoping it would. This is true whether you are the person with MS or someone who cares about you. You may feel lost, without direction, and overwhelmed with multiple choices and decisions. You may feel that little is under your control. On the other hand, MS often becomes the motivation - the “kick in the butt” so to speak - that people have needed to pursue effective wellness and healthy lifestyle strategies.

Sleep is a surprisingly complex process that is essential to maintaining health and wellness. Unfortunately, problems with sleep quantity and quality and the negative impact of poor sleep on daily functioning are particularly common among people with MS, affecting 50% of the population.

he Paleolithic Diet. The Mediterranean Diet. The McDougall Diet. The Swank Diet. With so many diets being promoted, it is hard to fully understand each of their nutritional benefits, possible deficiencies, and effects on multiple sclerosis. However, it is clear that certain dietary factors are linked to the risk of developing MS, as well as to helping manage symptoms, support treatment options, and improve overall health.

As the relationship between diet and MS continues to be researched, Dr. Pavan Bhargava has emerged as the foremost expert on the topic, and will be the featured speaker on November 8th as part of our Webinar and Telelearning Series. In addition to explaining the impacts that our diet has on MS and offering evidence around some popular dietary strategies, Dr. Bhargava will answer your questions and guide you to make healthy eating choices that will benefit you and your MS!

Living with MS can be challenging not only for the person who has MS, but also for the support partner – whether he or she is providing assistance with everyday tasks, emotional support, and/or hands-on care. How do I help? Am I helping too much? I’m frustrated with this disease…I have no time for me…I’m exhausted…I feel stressed. Sound familiar? The support person – whether a spouse/partner, friend, sibling, or child – is “living with MS” too, but in a much different way.

Making sure you are enrolled in a health insurance plan at all times may be the single most important way to avoid debt and assure your ability to get the health care services you need. Many changes have been made to health insurance in recent years, including new protections for people with pre-existing and high-cost conditions like multiple sclerosis. Unfortunately, even comprehensive health insurance cannot guarantee full protection against high out-of-pocket costs or medical debt

Anxiety is an umbrella term that describes an emotional state of apprehension, worry, fear, or terror. Typically one’s body also responds resulting in: sweating, increased heart rate, muscle tension, shaking, dry mouth, or a flushed face. It is normal to occasionally feel worried or anxious. However, anxiety is considered problematic when it starts to interfere with your daily life. In such cases, you might notice that anxiety (1) impacts your ability to fall asleep or stay asleep, (2) causes you to avoid certain people, places or things, (3) causes arguments with friends or loved ones, or (4) compels you to perform certain actions or complete tasks in a particular way.

"Spasticity: Your Friend, Foe, or Indifferent Acquaintance " by Gail Hartley, MSN, NP, MSCN and Kathy San Martino, PT, NCS, MSCS, ATP/SMS, CLT

© Can Do Multiple Sclerosis

A cruise vacation is an excellent choice for people with multiple sclerosis. You can visit a lot of ports and only unpack once, which saves a lot of energy. Additionally, since todays cruise ships offer a variety of healthy menu options and state-of-the-art exercise facilities, it’s easy to stay in shape while at sea. Last but not least, if fatigue hits while you’re on a cruise, it’s easy to alter your schedule and enjoy a low-key day on the ship. That said, some ships are just more accessible than others. The good news is, with a little research and advance planning, you can design a relaxing cruise vacation that meets your specific access needs.

Research is the driving factor in understanding the cause, management, and, hopefully one day a cure for multiple sclerosis. What we know about MS has come a long way over the years, particularly its profound effects on the critical nerve protectors known as myelin. This article will also provide a real-life look into exercise rehabilitation and its impacts on cognition, as well as the promising treatment options offered through mindfulness and meditation that can help people with MS manage stress, improve physical and mental health, and enhance their overall quality of life.