Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a life-long condition that carries symptoms such as fatigue, pain, bladder and bowel problems, sexual dysfunction, movement and coordination difficulties, vision and cognition issues and mental health problems. 

Although not every MS patient is affected in the same way by the condition, for some, symptoms can get worse over time and living with MS can adversely affect many aspects of daily life - including health, wellness, relationships and careers. In getting a multiple sclerosis diagnosis, individuals may find themselves having to adapt to a new kind of lifestyle. 

Living your life to the fullest with MS may involve making some positive decisions surrounding your physical and mental wellbeing. Let’s take a look at how individuals can take some steps towards living well with MS. 

Being diagnosed with MS

Diagnosing MS can be complicated because no single test can positively diagnose the condition. This means that other possible causes of symptoms must be ruled out first. 

It could also be difficult to confirm a diagnosis if you’ve had only one attack of MS-related symptoms. 

Diagnoses can only be made with confidence once there’s evidence of at least two separate attacks - although this could include signs of attacks on an MRI scan that you might not know you’ve had. 

There are many tests that can help to confirm MS, including neurological examinations, MRI scans, evoked potential tests, lumbar punctures and blood tests.

Once a diagnosis has been made, a neurologist may be capable of identifying which type of MS you have. This analysis will be largely based on your pattern of symptoms and how they become worse or improve. However, the type of multiple sclerosis you have will generally only become clear over time because the symptoms associated with the illness are so varied and unpredictable.

It can often take a matter of years to make an accurate diagnosis of progressive MS because the condition typically worsens gradually. 

(Image: Healthline)

Managing symptoms

Symptom management is an essential part of MS care and for individuals with their illness. While disease management therapies reduce disease activity in slow progression for many people, it’s the ongoing management of symptoms that paves the way for people to function in their daily lives with the most comfort possible along with better levels of safety, social participation and general quality of life. 

Any symptom of MS can either be acute or chronic. Acute onset, meaning the symptoms occur suddenly, could indicate an MS relapse that may require a high dose of steroid treatment, depending on severity. Some of these symptoms may not fully recover and could leave residual symptoms that could become chronic - such as a weakness of the extremities, ataxia (nervous system degeneration), bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, speech impairment , swallowing difficulties, sensory issues and pain, sexual dysfunction, tremor, vertigo and visual impairment. 

Chronic symptoms, which are long lasting, typically include problems with walking unaided, cognitive impairment, fatigue, heat sensitivity, mood changes and spasticity. 

For many people living with multiple sclerosis, the symptoms that are clear to others at home and at work only represents a small part of what the individual is experiencing and coping with daily. The symptoms that others can’t easily see or understand can have a far bigger impact on a person’s life and interactions with others. 

MedicAlert aims to make the daily lives of individuals living with MS easier, by helping them to feel peace of mind and gain independence. MedicAlert stores their crucial medical information on a central medical record, with the most vital details engraved on custom medical ID jewellery. This can help First Responders to quickly identify underlying medical conditions and needs, enabling appropriate treatment to be provided without delay. 

By wearing medical ID jewellery that displays your most vital information, you can gain the confidence you need to live your life without fear and without having to share personal details with those around you unless you’re comfortable doing so. And, with a choice of over 60 ID’s to choose from at MedicAlert, there is something to suit everyone. 

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Treatment

There’s no cure for MS currently, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible to treat the symptoms with medicines and various other therapies and treatments. Because multiple sclerosis manifests in different ways, the best approaches to treatment can depend on specific symptoms and difficulties the individual has. 

These forms of treatment can involve focusing on combating relapses with steroid medicine, treating specific symptoms head-on and treatments to reduce the number of relapses suffered. 

Treating multiple sclerosis can involve a neurologist who specialises in treating conditions of the nervous system, a physiotherapist, a speech and language therapist and many other professionals. 

Self-care

If you live with MS, it may feel that dealing with your illness is all you can do - let alone looking after yourself in other ways. 

However, spending time on self-care activities can be a great help in terms of helping you live a comfortable life in spite of your symptoms. Kathy Costello, vice president of healthcare access for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, defines self-care measures as “wellness-focused behaviours that address physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, occupational, and social domains,” and is a supporter of creating self-care mechanisms to help individuals to enhance their quality of life. 

Finding approaches that can help to nurture yourself on a regular basis can help to prevent stress, burnout and depression. It can also help patients to discover more joy and meaning in life. Mindfulness can be a great tool, alongside other therapies and self-care activities, in supporting positive mental health and decreasing pain levels. 

Naturally, everybody’s self-care needs are going to be different, though there are many ways in which you can not only manage your MS but also your body, mind and spirit. 

By creating wellness plans and shifting your focus towards your hobbies and life away from multiple sclerosis, it’s possible to actively work to limit the impact of your illness. 

Healthy eating and exercise

Maintenance of good health in a general sense is key for individuals suffering from any chronic disorder. Although there’s no secret MS diet, the food you eat can play a key role in determining your levels of energy, bladder and bowel function - as well as your overall health. 

Multiple sclerosis specialists recommend that patients follow similar diet plans to those offered by various heart associations and cancer societies for the general population, which largely revolve around low-fat, high-fibre foods. 

Significantly, vitamin D can be a key dietary requirement for individuals suffering from MS, due to deficiencies in the vitamin being a risk-factor. 

As well as being essential for the general health and well-being of MS sufferers, regular exercise can be vital in helping individuals to manage their symptoms. For instance, studies of aerobic exercise programs for those suffering from MS have shown benefits in cardiovascular fitness, strength, bladder and bowel function, fatigue, mood, bone density, cognitive function and flexibility. 

Support

Everybody’s journey with MS is different. Sadly, a diagnosis can leave individuals with more questions than answers, but support is always on hand to help. 

Many organisations have been created that offer varying levels of support to those suffering from MS - or even for friends and families of sufferers looking for help on how to aid individuals. There are sites online that allow users to connect with doctors and medical experts while others can connect to everyday individuals who can share their experiences. There are many websites online that are well equipped to provide varying degrees of support that can suit your needs, along with the UK based charity MS Society. 

Many people living with MS seek a medical ID service, to provide both themselves and their loved ones with peace of mind. Wearing medical jewellery means that, should you require emergency assistance, those caring for you will have access to all the information needed to make informed initial care decisions. Make sure to choose an NHS recommended service, where you can store all your information, including scanned medical documents securely, and which provides checks of your record by medical professionals. Click below to find out how MedicAlert, the pioneer of medical ID services in the UK, remains unique. 

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Making life easier

Despite there not being a cure for multiple sclerosis, there are many things that those living with the illness and carers can do to ensure that life can be as easy as possible. Let’s take a look at things to consider like home layouts and the various tools and gadgets that can make living with MS easier:

Home layout

Be sure to declutter your space, making sure that there’s always room to move around your home freely. Those with MS can find it difficult to move and get around. It’s also important to create work zones that support your needs. For instance, if you struggle to kneel down, be sure to relocate objects that would otherwise be in low cupboards onto higher worktops. 

Velcro can also be highly useful for individuals with MS. Velcro helps to keep wires and electrical cords out of the way to help clear pathways. 

Significantly, the bathroom is an area where MS sufferers can struggle in particular. Here, it’s possible to make things easier by making some modifications. One addition to make is a raised toilet seat, while grab bars in areas like the shower and bathtub can make all the difference in keeping safe. 

Tools and gadgets

There are also many gadgets that can help to ease the difficulties that MS can bring. Migraine hats are one notable example of some headwear that can make life much easier. They’re essentially hats that are packed with ice packs to help dull the pain. 

Water bottles can also be extremely useful in terms of aiding individuals who may suffer from swallowing issues, providing a smaller opening than a normal glass and therefore reducing the flow of liquid to reduce the chance of overwhelming the drinker.

Furthermore, headphones can be vital in helping individuals to overcome sensory overload and block out overwhelming environments. Even subscription services like Amazon Prime or Netflix can be a significant help when sufferers are impacted by difficulties in transportation and driving. 

Your MedicAlert jewellery that offers a wealth of information about your medical background can be an essential tool should you need fast treatment either at home or outside of the house. While life with multiple sclerosis can be difficult, it doesn’t have to stop you from doing the things you enjoy. With MedicAlert, our goal is to ensure that you can live well with MS wherever you may be.