Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the central nervous system and causes numerous symptoms in the body. While you are busy figuring out the ways to find the best treatment for this chronic disease, you may forget how basic and effective lifestyle choices can bring a major change. So, listed below are the lifestyle tips to manage multiple sclerosis which can not only slow it down but also boost your overall health.
Follow a Nutritious Diet
To fight back an inflammatory condition like multiple sclerosis, it is important to switch to an anti-inflammatory diet. You can take appropriate servings of fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Also, you must try to eat foods loaded with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as these are healthy fats. The sources of such fats are fishes like salmon, tuna and plant-based products like flax seeds.
Avoid Excessive Heat
One of the proven and highly effective lifestyle tips to manage multiple sclerosis is to simply avoid heat. The symptoms become worse if there is an increase in the body temperature. To keep your body cool, you can stay hydrated, avoid hot showers, and stay out of direct sunlight.
Have Lots of Vitamin D
The constant feeling of pain in the muscles and drained energy levels can be improved with adequate consumption of vitamin D. You can depend on vitamin D-rich food like eggs, cod liver oil, mushroom and fortified milk. Your doctor can prescribe supplements if necessary.
Keep Your Mind Engaged
Along with following a physical fitness regime, one of the most important lifestyle tips to manage multiple sclerosis is to keep your brain stimulated. To do this, you can try your hand at playing cards, solving jigsaw puzzles or you can indulge in book reading. Doing these things can sharpen your memory.
Manage Stress
The stress cycles can worsen the condition of multiple sclerosis. Also, sometimes the disease itself becomes the reason of depression and anxiety. To manage stress, you can try yoga or other deep-breathing exercises. In case of severe anxiety attacks, you can always take therapy sessions or the advice of your doctor.
Quit Smoking
Among the different lifestyle tips to manage multiple sclerosis, quitting smoking is widely recommended. Smoking is particularly harmful for those battling multiple sclerosis. Studies have shown that smoking increases the risk of developing this disease.
Get Sound Sleep
People with multiple sclerosis also suffer from sleep disturbances. To make sure that the constant fatigue does not disturb your sleep, you need to adopt better sleep habits. This can be done by creating a consistent sleep schedule.
All these lifestyle tips to manage multiple sclerosis can help improve the symptoms while making your everyday life easier. Along with these, you must follow regular medical check-ups to get a better understanding of your overall condition.
