Managing Multiple Sclerosis When the World Heats Up

Published May 28th, 2021 | 3 Minute Read

For many individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), seasonal changes can have an abrupt impact on symptoms. Heat and humidity are triggers for MS symptoms, from fatigue to blurry vision. In fact, nearly three-fourths of respondents from Health Union’s syndicated Multiple Sclerosis In America 2020 survey of more than 5,000 people living with the condition identified heat as a trigger, as well as the most prominent trigger, for their MS symptoms. On top of that, six in 10 identified heat intolerance or heat sensitivity as a recent standalone symptom. 

Heat-induced symptom aggravation is temporary but can result from changes as little as a quarter degree elevation in core body temperature. Better understanding how the heat can impact the patient journeys of people living with MS- can help healthcare marketers decide how they can potentially alleviate a prominent challenge of living with the condition. Perspectives from people participating in Health Union’s MS community, MultipleSclerosis.net, illuminate three particular areas for growth or greater understanding when it comes to alleviating the impact of heat on MS.

The Significant Impact of Simple Devices

Individuals can use numerous devices to help manage heat-related symptom aggravation, such as ice packs and misters. MultipleSclerosis.net patient advocate Calie Wyatt writes about cooling vests that can be worn while out and about, cooling towels, and bringing a handheld fan with her.

Another simple device that people can use is the humble water bottle. Maintaining hydration throughout the day can help negate heat-related MS symptoms. The variety of cooling objects shows the potential for innovation and invention to work with different lifestyles. From evaporation cooling vests, to ice cooling vests, there’s a myriad of opportunities.

Another way to manage symptoms is to help individuals try to stay compliant with their medication. Many individuals have to manage multiple medications, and pill organizers can be extremely helpful, enabling maximum compliance. Small changes can make a big difference, and provide peace of mind to people with MS, assuring they’re following their medication regimens to the best of their abilities. 

Apps Can Help Patients Plan Ahead 

Weather apps are a great way to plan ahead. Individuals can check their phones before leaving the house to see if they need to bring any cooling devices, make sure they have access to AC, and bring water with them. 

There are also apps that can help track symptoms, medications, and sleep regimens. Apps for general chronic conditions can be used to track activity level and heart rate. Some other programs can even track symptoms, medication schedules, and diet plans. MS-specific apps can be used to record MS-specific symptoms like fatigue and joint pain, and tend to have a journal section. Users can also keep track of appointments, and access educational resources.

Sleep is also vitally important to overall health. By maintaining healthy habits, like sleep, it may bolster an individual’s overall wellbeing. Apps that promote sleep include ones that play white noise, relaxing nature sounds, and more. Other apps to promote sleep can shift blue light to more yellow light. This allows melatonin to be released and may promote better sleep. Apps can also track sleep and napping habits and gently wake individuals up at the optimal time in their sleep cycle. 

Related Articles

Relapse prevalence, symptoms, and health care engagement: Patient insights from the Multiple Sclerosis In America 2017 survey

The results of this study indicate the benefits of timely touchpoints on both the part of the patient and HCP during relapse include the relationship between higher frequency of engagement with lower relapse frequency and more discussion of both relapse-related and MS-related discussion topics.

Focused HCP discussion and proactive education on relapse identification and management improves patient reporting and timely treatment of MS relapse

Partnering with Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, this abstract was published at the CMSC Annual Meeting, showcasing data from Health Union’s Multiple Sclerosis In America 2017 survey.

Living with Multiple Sclerosis is more complex than you think

New Survey Finds Multiple Sclerosis Patients Struggle with Misdiagnosis and Invisible Symptoms

MS in America 2017, a national survey of more than 5,300 individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), reveals many people initially received an improper diagnosis and have trouble finding an effective treatment. The survey, conducted between January 25 and March 1, 2017, also finds patients struggle with pain and symptoms that impact many aspects of daily life. MS in America 2017 is the fifth annual Health Union survey about the condition.

The World Health Organization defines health as “as not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, but a state of complete psychical, mental and social well being.” Apps that support health need to look at the patient holistically, and figure out how to integrate the complexities of their conditions into technology to improve all aspects of their life. This holistic data has the potential to provide unique insights for healthcare providers (HCP) who can potentially use this data to assess treatment plans, change plans, and more.

The Growing Impact of Climate Change

MultipleSclerosis.net patient advocate Mitch Sturgeon surveyed the climate across the United States and wrote that the Pacific Northwest and Coastal California are the best climates to live in with MS. While the expected seasonal changes Sturgeon wrote about pose challenges, fluctuations in temperature, and higher temperatures overall may exacerbate those health challenges as well. Even slight changes in core body temperature can aggravate MS symptoms, causing more MS patients to potentially require greater clinical care. A recent study found that during anomalously warm weather, people with MS had increased risk of ER visits and inpatient hospital stays.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, climate change will influence human health in many ways. Health threats may get worse, and new ones could emerge, with the most vulnerable being those who have limited economic resources, who live in a vulnerable location, and who are elderly. Although this is a complex topic, it is one that needs to be understood to help people with MS better understand how to alleviate heat-aggravated symptoms.

Planning for the Future

Heat-related MS symptom aggravation is real, and can cause serious distress to individuals. Heat doesn’t just impact physical health, but all aspects of patient life. People are forced to balance their health demands with their careers, being close to their families, and the cost of living in different areas. It’s nearly impossible to balance all of life’s demands.

Understanding these concerns could help the healthcare industry alleviate the weighty impact of heat on the health and lives of people living with MS.  Pharmaceutical companies validating a variety of different symptoms could potentially reach and help more people living with MS. Creating engaging, empathetic information could potentially open the avenue for social media amplification, better care experiences, and better health outcomes.

Related Articles

Relapse prevalence, symptoms, and health care engagement: Patient insights from the Multiple Sclerosis In America 2017 survey

The results of this study indicate the benefits of timely touchpoints on both the part of the patient and HCP during relapse include the relationship between higher frequency of engagement with lower relapse frequency and more discussion of both relapse-related and MS-related discussion topics.

Focused HCP discussion and proactive education on relapse identification and management improves patient reporting and timely treatment of MS relapse

Partnering with Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, this abstract was published at the CMSC Annual Meeting, showcasing data from Health Union’s Multiple Sclerosis In America 2017 survey.

Living with Multiple Sclerosis is more complex than you think

New Survey Finds Multiple Sclerosis Patients Struggle with Misdiagnosis and Invisible Symptoms

MS in America 2017, a national survey of more than 5,300 individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), reveals many people initially received an improper diagnosis and have trouble finding an effective treatment. The survey, conducted between January 25 and March 1, 2017, also finds patients struggle with pain and symptoms that impact many aspects of daily life. MS in America 2017 is the fifth annual Health Union survey about the condition.