Multiple Sclerosis Research Paper
How to maintain — and why you need — a healthy lifestyle when you're coping with multiple sclerosis.
By Connie Brichford
Medically reviewed by Cynthia Haines, MD
Exercise at least two to three times a week, eat a well-balanced diet, and get plenty of good, quality sleep. That advice is true for everyone — but it is particularly important for people living with MS.
Tanuja Chitnis, MD, assistant professor of neurology and director of the Partners Pediatric MS Center at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, recommends that all people living with MS adopt a healthier lifestyle. Multiple sclerosis, she explains, is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system — the part of our bodies intended to ward off outside assaults …show more content…
Because infections can trigger flares of MS symptoms, it's a good idea to take measures to make yourself less susceptible to wayward germs. To begin, minimize time spent with people who are sick. If you work with the public or ride public transportation, washing your hands frequently will help minimize the number of potentially harmful substances that you are exposed to. Take extra care of yourself during cold and flu season and talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated against common infections, such as influenza (the flu). Finally, UTIs, or urinary tract (bladder) infections, can also trigger MS flares, according to Chitnis. A study by researchers at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute found that cranberry juice has properties that help prevent bacteria from attaching to cells in the urinary tract. Making cranberry juice a regular part of your diet is a simple way that you can help combat …show more content…
Weight-bearing exercises might include aerobics, running, dancing, and stair climbing. To prevent overheating, take frequent breaks and pay attention to how your body feels, especially when doing high-intensity exercises.
Eat a healthy diet. We've all been told to eat more fruits and vegetables, go easy on the caffeine and alcohol, and add whole grains to our diet. This is also true for people living with MS. A diet rich in vitamins and other nutrients helps ward off illness and keeps energy levels high. And people living with MS may have other issues to contend with, such as bladder and bowel problems, which are affected by the foods they eat. Read more about the effect of diet on multiple
By Connie Brichford
Medically reviewed by Cynthia Haines, MD
Exercise at least two to three times a week, eat a well-balanced diet, and get plenty of good, quality sleep. That advice is true for everyone — but it is particularly important for people living with MS.
Tanuja Chitnis, MD, assistant professor of neurology and director of the Partners Pediatric MS Center at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, recommends that all people living with MS adopt a healthier lifestyle. Multiple sclerosis, she explains, is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system — the part of our bodies intended to ward off outside assaults …show more content…
Because infections can trigger flares of MS symptoms, it's a good idea to take measures to make yourself less susceptible to wayward germs. To begin, minimize time spent with people who are sick. If you work with the public or ride public transportation, washing your hands frequently will help minimize the number of potentially harmful substances that you are exposed to. Take extra care of yourself during cold and flu season and talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated against common infections, such as influenza (the flu). Finally, UTIs, or urinary tract (bladder) infections, can also trigger MS flares, according to Chitnis. A study by researchers at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute found that cranberry juice has properties that help prevent bacteria from attaching to cells in the urinary tract. Making cranberry juice a regular part of your diet is a simple way that you can help combat …show more content…
Weight-bearing exercises might include aerobics, running, dancing, and stair climbing. To prevent overheating, take frequent breaks and pay attention to how your body feels, especially when doing high-intensity exercises.
Eat a healthy diet. We've all been told to eat more fruits and vegetables, go easy on the caffeine and alcohol, and add whole grains to our diet. This is also true for people living with MS. A diet rich in vitamins and other nutrients helps ward off illness and keeps energy levels high. And people living with MS may have other issues to contend with, such as bladder and bowel problems, which are affected by the foods they eat. Read more about the effect of diet on multiple