It’s vacation season, and that means you’ll be traveling outside of your normal routine and exposing yourself to new things (and probably plenty of temperature changes). With a little preparation, you can beat the heat and keep your MS symptoms from flaring up in the middle of your vacation. Read on to learn more about traveling with MS during the summer.
Heat Intolerance Symptoms in MS
Most people don’t have to worry about going out in the hot weather, but for those of us with MS, temperature changes can wreak havoc on our bodies. Hot weather can lead to increased body temperature, and increased body temperature can cause a slew of symptoms from vision problems and muscle weakness to memory issues and fatigue. It’s important to become familiar with the symptoms of heat intolerance so you can recognize them and get somewhere cooler if you experience them.
Stay Cool While Traveling With MS
There are plenty of ways to stay cool while you are traveling with MS this summer. If you will be driving, be sure to have your air conditioner checked out before you leave. No matter how you are traveling, dress in layers so you can get comfortable if the plane, train, or automobile is too hot for your liking. Bring a fan that plugs into your phone or laptop so you can get some extra air if you need it.
Stay Cool During Summer Activities
You may have MS, but that shouldn’t stop you from living the life you want to live. If you want to go hiking, go to the beach, or go ziplining, go for it! Just be aware that those summer activities can take their toll on your body. Be sure to dress appropriately, drink lots of water, and wear cooling gear to keep your core body temperature down if you will be in the heat for an extended period of time.
There are all kinds of ways to tackle MS and heat. If you notice that you are having a flare-up, you need to get somewhere cool immediately. Drink some ice water, jump in the lake, or find the nearest air conditioned building. Learn more about how to reduce MS symptom flares caused by heat.