Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to interfere with the way our brain sends messages to our body.

Why is Energy Conservation Important for Multiple Sclerosis

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND FATIGUE
Multiple sclerosis
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/what-is-multiple-sclerosis-and-how-can-an-exercise-routine-help-combat-multiple-sclerosis]
, or MS, is an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to
interfere with the way our brain sends messages to our body. The brain sends
messages that travel along axons, which are protected by a myelin sheath. In
multiple sclerosis, the immune system causes inflammation to this protective
layer, which can cause scar tissue to build up along the pathway, causing
difficulties sending the correct messages to the body.


Multiple sclerosis can cause many symptoms. The symptoms may change over time as
the disease progresses. One of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis is
fatigue.

There is a high level of evidence for non-pharmacological interventions when
managing fatigue including energy conservation and exercise-based interventions.

HOW DOES ENERGY CONSERVATION HELP?
Getting dressed in the morning can be exhausting! It can be extremely
frustrating if you don’t have the energy to do anything else during the day, or
if you can’t even make it through your morning routine. But there are little
life hacks that can make your life just a little easier. These strategies are
called energy conservation. Energy conservation refers to completing tasks in
the most energy efficient way. It involves planning out your day and
prioritizing the activities that are important to you.

As an OT, I’ve devoted my life to preaching about the importance of doing the 
activities
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/10-tips-from-an-occupational-therapist-on-how-to-stay-committed-to-stroke-recovery-at-home] 
that are meaningful to an individual. This is going to look differently for
everyone, so it’s going to take some soul searching to look at what activities
you love and why you love them. For some people, having the ability to complete
their morning routine is everything. Some people are motivated by creative
endeavors or exercise. As we go through life and our abilities and priorities
change, we all need to re-evaluate the best ways to implement the things we find
meaningful and life giving.


If you love gardening, but aren’t able to do it in the same way, think about
what it is that gives you life. How can you meet that need in a different way?
Can you simplify your morning routine or skip it so that you have more energy?
Can you plant and care for a potted plant or raised flower bed? Are there
adaptive gardening tools that would make holding onto things easier? Sometimes,
looking at what is meaningful brings up a lot more questions before it gives any
answers, but having a specific long-term goal to focus on is beneficial to
improve quality of life.

ENERGY CONSERVATION TIPS AND TRICKS
MAKE A PLAN: Make a list of the activities you need to do throughout the week.
Include dressing, bathing, meals, laundry, cleaning, leisure activities
(watching tv is okay, but try to think of one other activity that brings a smile
to your face), and anything else that is important to you.

ASK QUESTIONS: Do you need to bathe everyday? Are there services available and
within my budget to help with meals, laundry, cleaning? Do I have more energy in
the morning or night? Do I get enough sleep? Is it possible to spread out
responsibilities?


TAKE IT EASY: Sit when you can (use a shower chair and sit while bathing, get
all your clothes together and sit down to get dressed, put your underwear and
pants on your feet before standing up, sit when doing food prep or folding
laundry).

PACE YOURSELF: You don’t have to do it all at once. Take breaks. If showering is
exhausting, rest before putting your clothes on.

You can find more energy conservation tips here.
[https://msfocusmagazine.org/Magazine/Magazine-Items/Energy-Conservation-and-Work-Simplification-for-Pe.aspx]

EXERCISE TO MANAGE FATIGUE
You might think that exercise would be the opposite of conserving energy, but it
can also be effective at managing the impact of fatigue. It’s all about balance.
The most important thing is to not overdo it.


Find an activity that you might enjoy: walking, aquatic exercises, chair yoga,
resistive training with theraband. Finding something you like will help keep you
motivated.
Take things slow. Warm up with stretches.
Make sure you’re safe. Use proper body mechanics when exercising. Take
precautions if you’re prone to falls.
Make sure to check in with your physician or therapist prior to starting an
exercise routine!

REFERENCES
Hourihan, S. J. (2015). Managing fatigue in adults with multiple sclerosis.
Nursing Standard (2014+), 29(43), 51. doi:
http://dx.doi.org/10.7748/ns.29.43.51.e9654
Khan, F., Amatya, B., & Galea, M. (2014). Management of fatigue in persons with
multiple sclerosis. Frontiers in neurology, 5, 177. doi:10.3389/fneur.2014.00177 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4163985/
Feinstein, A., Freeman, J., & Lo, A. C. (2015). Treatment of progressive
multiple sclerosis: What works, what does not, and what is needed. The Lancet
Neurology, 14(2), 194-207. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(14)70231-5 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25772898

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not
intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or
treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health
provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you
think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Reliance on any information provided by the NEOFECT website is solely at your
own risk.

multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack the central nervous system.

What is Multiple Sclerosis and How Can an Exercise Routine Help?



Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system
to attack the central nervous system. The central nervous system consists of the
brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Within the central nervous system, the
nerve cells send each other messages through the use of axons. Axons have a
protective outer layer called myelin. Multiple Sclerosis will cause your immune
system to attack the myelin which in turn begins to create lesions within the
central nervous system. The creation of these lesions makes it difficult for the
central nervous system to function correctly. The lesions also make it difficult
for the brain to send messages to the rest of the body. As more lesions form, it
can lead to physical and cognitive changes.

Multiple Sclerosis affects people all around the world. According to the 
Multiple Sclerosis Society [https://www.nationalmssociety.org/] Multiple
Sclerosis affects more women than men and most people are diagnosed between the
ages of 20 and 50 years old. It is estimated that 1 million people are living
with Multiple Sclerosis in the United States and 2.3 million people are living
with Multiple Sclerosis globally.

Multiple Sclerosis can cause many symptoms, and those diagnosed may show some or
all of these symptoms. The symptoms may change over time as the disease
progresses. The most common symptoms include:

Fatigue
Decreased balance
Muscle weakness
Muscles spasms
Tremors
[https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Symptoms-Diagnosis/MS-Symptoms/Tremor]
Acute and or chronic pain
Change in vision
Numbness and tingling in extremities
Decreased attention spans
Difficulties with learning new tasks
Decreased memory
Difficulties with word finding



There are 4 different types of Multiple Sclerosis. Someone can only have 1 type
of Multiple Sclerosis at a time but the type may change as it progresses. The 4
different types of Multiple Sclerosis are as follows:

Clincially Isolated Syndrome (CIS): CIS involves one episode of symptoms that
usually lasts around 24 hours. These symptoms are caused by demyelination
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1860500/] in the central nervous
system. This one episode is not enough to diagnose Multiple Sclerosis. An MRI
will be done and if no lesions are present then no diagnosis is made and you are
less likely to develop Multiple Sclerosis in the future. However, if there is a
lesion present you are more likely to be diagnosed with Relapsing- Remitting
Multiple Sclerosis.
Relapsing- Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS): This is the most common form of
Multiple Sclerosis at onset. RRMS is when your symptoms come and go over time.
When you are in remission the disease does not progress at all.
Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis ( PPMS): If you are diagnosed with PPMS
it means that your symptoms are progressively getting worse than when you were
first diagnosed. However, you may exhibit short periods when your symptoms
improve.
Secondary Progress Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS): If you are diagnosed with SPMS it
means that you may be undergoing worsening symptoms of the disease from the
start.

Currently there is no cure for Multiple Sclerosis. However, there are many
treatments available to help address the symptoms and decrease the acceleration
of the disease. If you have Multiple Sclerosis you may feel like staying in bed
all day because you may feel as if performing exercises will make your muscle
fatigue or pain worse. This is the complete opposite of the truth. In order to
combat Multiple Sclerosis and help improve some of your symptoms, it is vital
that you exercise daily. Exercise when you have been diagnosed with Multiple
Sclerosis has been proven to overall increase endurance, strength in the arms
and legs, bowel and bladder function, improvement with cognitive function,
decrease fatigue, and improve your mood.

If you have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and do not exercise
regularly, your muscles will start to atrophy
[https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003188.htm] and become weaker which in
turn can cause decreased bone density and put you at a higher risk for falling
and sustaining a fracture. Not exercising can also lead to low endurance and
shallowing breathing.



It is important to get approval from your physician before you start an exercise
routine. Once you are cleared to start a routine it is a good idea to meet with
a physical or occupational therapist that specializes in Multiple Sclerosis.
When exercising it is very important to remember to stay hydrated and cool.
Being dehydrated and too hot when exercising can temporarily heighten your
Multiple Sclerosis symptoms.

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not
intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or
treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health
provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you
think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Reliance on any information provided by the NEOFECT website is solely at your
own risk.