15 Ways to Fight MS Fatigue

Hello everyone!

This article on fatigue is short and to the point.  If gives some great suggestions on how to combat fatigue.  Please add any strategies you use in the comment section below!

Thanks!

xo

Lora

15 Ways To Fight Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue

By rcgroth on April 22, 2009 | From conquerms.com

 

Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue is one of the number one symptoms and complaints of multiple sclerosis. And unfortunately one of the #1 reasons that many people with MS end up on disability.  Multiple Sclerosis fatigue is real, and a prominent symptom for as many as 85-95% of those with MS.

Here are 15 ways to fight against fatigue.  Just the little things that you do each and every day can make a difference.

1.   Be aware of medication side effects.  Anti-depressants are well known to have a side effect of fatigue. Talk with your doctor and determine what side effects each medication your on has.

2.   Drink a sufficient amount of water:  Dehydration can cause fatigue and many people with MS don’t like to drink water because they suffer from an over active bladder.- I’m guilty of this one.  Our bodies need water for energy and to remove toxins, so don’t scrimp on this one.

3.   Improper breathing:  Shallow, short breathes will reduce the amount of oxygen coming to your cells, therefore making you feel fatigued.

4.   Not exercising:  Ok, so you’ve heard this one a number of times on how exercise increases energy.  There’s no excuses regardless of what level you are at with your MS.  Bed Top exercise, chair exercise, and standing up –we’ve got you covered at You Can Do It.

5.   Depression:  Not accepting multiple sclerosis, being depressed about your current life will cause depression and the by product fatigue. Using techniques to change your mental outlook and your thinking such as “Theatre of the Mind”. Will allow you to relive all the good things that happened to you in the past and therefore remove depression out of your life.

6.  Too much heat:  Heat increases your disabilities and fatigue and just makes you feel bad. Anytime out in warm weather I can go from walking normally to barely walking at all.  Stay out of the heat, use a cooling vest, and look for activities that keep you cool like swimming.

7.  Avoid Simple Carbohydrates:  White bread, white pasta, and sugar slow you down and fatigue you.  Keep up on a diet of whole foods consisting of fruits and veggies.

8.  Vary Routine:   Toss up your normal daily schedule.  Each one of us needs some variety each day.Plan something for the future that you can look forward to.

9.   Experiment with aromatherapy:  Peppermint and jasmine essentials oils are known to be energizing.  Put a few drops on your collar of your shirt to smell during the day, or take the container of peppermint with you and take a sniff when your feeling fatigued.

10. Go to bed at the same time every night Most people don’t get enough sleep, and leg spasticity may be keeping you up at night.  

11. Reduce your weight:  Being overweight will make you feel fatigued.  Watch what you’re eating and exercise to maintain a healthy weight.

12. Not Pacing, Planning, or Prioritizing Your Life:  It’s important to have balance in your life. It’s important to balance fatigue and rest.  Devise a plan on what needs to be done and organize your tasks so that they are manageable.

13. Eating Breakfast Everyday:  When you first wake up your blood sugar is low, eating a proper breakfast is an energy booster.  Skipping breakfast drains your energy contributing to fatigue. 

14. Check out your iron levels:  If you’re not getting enough iron that you may feel fatigued.  Eat fish, eggs, fortified cereals, and beans to fight against multiple sclerosis fatigue.

15. Last but not least:  Fatigue is a symptom of MS and you should not feel bad when asking for help.  Spend your energy on what matters and determine what you can ask others for in helping you conserve your valuable resources.