Living with MS can be frustrating, especially when an unwanted flare-up pops in for a visit. You’re busy living your life when an MS flare-up stops you in your tracks. So what do you do when your MS suddenly gets worse? Read on to learn how to overcome an MS flare-up.
Call the Doctor
As soon as you notice an MS flare-up, you should report it to your doctor. He or she will help you decide if you should come in quickly, adjust medication, or just wait it out. Don’t wait until your next scheduled appointment to discuss new symptoms with your healthcare provider. Some flare-ups are best treated with medication adjustments, steroid injections, or other treatments. Waiting to talk to your doctor means you’ll have to suffer from the symptoms longer and may require additional recovery time, as well.
Beat the Heat
Did you know that heat is a common trigger for flare-ups? Before more reliable test methods, hot baths were actually used to diagnose MS. If you are suffering from a flare-up, evaluate your environment. Have you been spending more time outside in the sun? Did you raise the temperature on your thermostat? Making your environment cooler may alleviate your symptoms. Some MSers even wear body cooling vests to keep from overheating. (In rare cases, cold affects those with MS in the same way.)
Get Plenty of Rest
During a flare-up, you will likely feel very tired. Don’t overdo it or you’ll just make things worse. Be patient with your body and get plenty of rest. Sleep at least 8 hours at night (longer if needed), and don’t feel bad if you need to take a nap or two throughout the day. Your body needs energy to deal with the flare-up so make sure you’re getting enough shut-eye.
Drink Water & Eat Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Water is good for your body, and being fully hydrated helps decrease inflammation levels. There are also a lot of foods that fight inflammation levels. As a matter of fact, there’s a whole diet built around eating to decrease inflammation that has been very popular with MSers. If you want to fight back against your flare-up, try eating anti-inflammatory foods or follow the anti-inflammatory diet.
Learn more about how to manage an MS relapse or long-term management of MS.