Sclerosis (MS) experience temporary ... lost body fluid. ⢠Leave hot drinks/meals to cool. MS SE. RVICES - SYMPTOM S.
sS MS SERVICES - SYMPTOM SERIES
FATIGUE KEEPING COOL Heat and Multiple Sclerosis
strategies are necessary to keep
Many people with Multiple
your body at an optimum
Sclerosis (MS) experience
temperature. Some strategies
temporary worsening of symptoms
include:
when they have an increase in
Planning your day
body temperature, even by as little
Work around the heat by
as 0.5ºC. For many individuals
planning for strenuous activities
this can affect their experience of
when it is cooler
fatigue as demyelinated nerves are extremely sensitive to temperature changes. Heat
Aim to leave the house in cooler parts of the day Rest through the heat (the
generally causes only a temporary
hottest part of the day is
worsening of symptoms, with no
commonly between 11am and
actual tissue damage. Some
3pm)
people also report that a cold environment can affect their fatigue. As fatigue is experienced
Listen to the weather report and plan your day/week accordingly Check in advance if a venue is air conditioned
differently by each person,
Carry a water bottle on outings
different strategies may be
Shop online or have groceries
successful. For this reason it is important to trial a range of strategies in order to identify those that work for you. Although use of the following strategies is unlikely
delivered Use air-conditioning in the car and home Keep curtains closed during the heat of the day
to eliminate fatigue, they aim to enable you to manage the fatigue you experience more effectively.
Eating and drinking Drink cool drinks as drinking lots of fluid encourages
Cooling strategies Hot weather increases the core body temperature so cooling
perspiration and replenishes lost body fluid Leave hot drinks/meals to cool
before consuming
humid surroundings that may
Suck on ice cubes
affect fatigue. Outdoor pools
Eat refrigerated or microwave
may be too cold for some
meals in warmer weather to
individuals. The type of exercise you do in
help keep your home cool
the water will also influence
Cooling your body Wrap ice packs in a towel and
your body temperature and choice of pool. Generally, lap
hold against the body
swimming is more vigorous
Use a spray bottle to lightly
than water exercise and may be
spray self with water
best undertaken in a cooler
Use a small personal fan to
pool.
cool face and body Wear cooling products such as
Avoid hot baths and showers Adjust the temperature to luke
cooling neckties or cooling
warm/cool
vests. Alternatively wet flannels/scarves can be worn
Use an exhaust fan in the bathroom
around your neck or head. Use natural fibres for clothing
Use a preset temperature on shower/bath taps if possible
and bedding Take a cool bath or swim in a pool
Avoid using bright lighting Cooling vests
Wear a wide brim hat in the sun
Cooling vests provide cooling for
Exercise
the body and have been found to
Exercise when temperature is
reduce fatigue as well as decrease
cool or in a cool environment
the effect of other symptoms.
(i.e. air-conditioned room, or
Cooling vests come in a variety of
shady outside area)
forms and are supplied by a range of manufacturers. Your
Exercise gently and when beginning to feel over heated
physiotherapist at the MS Society
stop and rest
can assist you with further
If exercising in water you may need to consider the pool temperature and the conditions of the surrounding environment. Indoor pools may have more
Page 2 of 3
information.
Infection
References
The normal temperature of the
Anderson G, Barker S, O’Maley T,
human body is 37ºC. During an
Mistry S, Richards J, Smith L,
infection you may experience
Stevens C & Ward M ‘Module 4
increased fatigue due to a rise in
Signs &Symptoms’, Australian MS
body temperature caused by fever
Nursing Manual.
(37.5ºC and above). Medical
Flensner G & Lindencrona C
advice should be sought if you
2002, ‘The cooling suit: case
suspect an infection.
studies of its influence on fatigue among eight individuals with multiple sclerosis’, Journal of
Other fatigue management
Advanced Nursing, vol. 37, no. 6,
strategies Additional information sheets are available covering a range of fatigue management strategies. These include the Fatigue
pp. 541-550. MS Society of NSW, Keeping cool http://www.mssociety.org.au/docu ments/keepingcool/NSW_DiscussionPaper_Medi cal_Cooling_Rebate_Aug2008.pdf
Information Sheet, Fatigue Treatments – Making Informed INFO14 CS Fatigue – Keeping Cool
Decisions, Exercise and Diet, Managing Stress, Fatigue Self Assessment, Planning Your Day and Managing Stress.
Last Updated February 2012 MS Assist 1800 312 311 Email:
[email protected] Website: www.ms.asn.au
Further information If you have any questions or require further information about fatigue and its management please contact your GP or health professional at the MS Society.
Page 3 of 3
