How Cold Weather Affects Multiple Sclerosis


The most common weather correlation in Multiple Sclerosis is to heat. Before modern medicine, you’d get plunked in a bathtub with hot water to see if your symptoms increased. If they did, you’d get a diagnosis of MS. 

Thankfully we don’t do that anymore. 

Yes, the cold does decrease our heat related symptoms, but just because cold weather isn’t talked about as much, doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect us MSers. Cold weather can be just as bothersome, just in different ways. 

How Cold Affects MS

Some individuals are bothered by temperature extremes, potentially due to impaired function of the autonomic and endocrine system, which results in difficulty regulating body temperature. Also, body temperature fluctuations could occur due to the part of the brain that regulates body temperature being damaged. 

There many symptoms that can be aggravated by the cold, but a few are more common, specifically pain, spasticity, stiffness and cramping. As well as the issues mentioned above, cold can also alter nerve and muscle functionality. Our nerve signals are already a bit behind, and the cold can slow the communication down even more. Often the end result is difficulty with mobility (walking or dexterity), spasticity and pain. 

I also asked my readers how they feel about the cold and many agreed it makes their symptoms worse. Many talked about stiff muscles and spasticity, poor circulation and increases in headaches.

woman standing in the woods admiring snowfall

What you can do:

Warm up from the inside: My neurologist told me years ago that the best way to cool down quickly was to drink ice water, since I’m warming up from the inside. Same idea applies with drinking warm beverages. 

Move: It’s hard to find the motivation to get moving when it’s freezing outside I know, but regularly moving your body will help to reduce stiffness, improve circulation (warm up your hands and feet) and generate heat. 

Mind your hands and feet: Layers are important, but especially for your hands and feet. Wool socks and hand warmers are my friend! 

Accessories: Heating pads, electric blankets, microwavable neck wraps.. Indulge in any and every that helps! I’ll also put warm mugs here too, I’ve been known to microwave hot water just to hold it.

Conclusion

Cold weather can affect multiple sclerosis symptoms just as much as heat can, just in different ways. Thankfully, as with heat, there are things we can do in our lives that can improve our relationship with the cold. 


I’M ALISSA!

I help women who have also been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis make specific and personalized diet, lifestyle & subconscious changes so that they can begin to heal their body, reduce disease symptoms, and return to a life they love.hey there,

follow along on Instagram:

Oh I definitely did, kicked him out of my kitchen to be exact.

But I think this relationship was the straw that broke my camels back in terms of developing MS.

I can see other risk factors throughout my life, but this 10000% was the final one.

If you are in a toxic or abusive relationship, job, friendship, family- this is your sign to put yourself first and leave! 

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #abusiverelationshiprecovery #nervoussystemsupport #becausems

Oh I definitely did, kicked him out of my kitchen to be exact.

But I think this relationship was the straw that broke my camels back in terms of developing MS.

I can see other risk factors throughout my life, but this 10000% was the final one.

If you are in a toxic or abusive relationship, job, friendship, family- this is your sign to put yourself first and leave!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #abusiverelationshiprecovery #nervoussystemsupport #becausems
...

12 0
These and so many more things are helpful to me in reducing symptoms…

But do I do them all, everyday? Absolutely not 😅

Some are staples, some are supports.. 

How do you take care of your symptoms?
What’s easiest?
What’s hardest? 

#LissMS #multiplesclerosis #MSSymptomManagement #thisisms #becausems

These and so many more things are helpful to me in reducing symptoms…

But do I do them all, everyday? Absolutely not 😅

Some are staples, some are supports..

How do you take care of your symptoms?
What’s easiest?
What’s hardest?

#LissMS #multiplesclerosis #MSSymptomManagement #thisisms #becausems
...

27 6
Diagnosis TLDR:
Scene: 23, in graduate school, working at Target full time, and unfortunately in an abusive relationship 

- vision got blotchy blurry
- spine got electrical impulse feeling with movement
- eye doc, who said get an MRI, then left a message saying don’t have a brain tumor 😲 but see a neurologist IMMEDIATELY 😲😲
- neurologist: does all the tests. More MRIs, visual field, AWFUL spinal tap 😵‍💫

Yup, MS 🧡

What was your first symptom?
what told you something was wrong?

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #msdiagnosis #thisisms #becausems

Diagnosis TLDR:
Scene: 23, in graduate school, working at Target full time, and unfortunately in an abusive relationship

- vision got blotchy blurry
- spine got electrical impulse feeling with movement
- eye doc, who said get an MRI, then left a message saying don’t have a brain tumor 😲 but see a neurologist IMMEDIATELY 😲😲
- neurologist: does all the tests. More MRIs, visual field, AWFUL spinal tap 😵‍💫

Yup, MS 🧡

What was your first symptom?
what told you something was wrong?

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #msdiagnosis #thisisms #becausems
...

66 24
It’s easy to outsource the understanding of our bodies to the internet and “other”

I mean I get it, I was once in an unpredictable body too- and it sucked. I didn’t understand what was happening and I would have loved for someone to say: here’s the key.

But what if… instead of looking outward for more info.. you went inward and gave yourself the information, and in doing so you helped to improve how your body feels and functions.. sounds kinda cool, right? 

I explain it all in my Slap it to Map it training.. comment SLAP and I’ll send it to you asap

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #slapittomapit #nervoussystemregulation #lymphaticmassage

It’s easy to outsource the understanding of our bodies to the internet and “other”

I mean I get it, I was once in an unpredictable body too- and it sucked. I didn’t understand what was happening and I would have loved for someone to say: here’s the key.

But what if… instead of looking outward for more info.. you went inward and gave yourself the information, and in doing so you helped to improve how your body feels and functions.. sounds kinda cool, right?

I explain it all in my Slap it to Map it training.. comment SLAP and I’ll send it to you asap

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #slapittomapit #nervoussystemregulation #lymphaticmassage
...

6 0
If we haven’t met yet, Hi! 👋🏼👋🏼 I’m Alissa. 
I’m a Holistic Practitioner & Therapist specializing in Multiple Sclerosis. 

There are SO many tools that we can use to help improve our bodies functioning- which can in turn improve our MS symptoms.

The biggies that have helped me? 👇🏼

🥗Nutrition 
🏋🏻‍♀️Movement
🧘🏻‍♀️Stress management 

Want my most favorite, super short exercise that can help MS symptoms??

Comment: SLAP and I’ll send it to you!!

#lissms #SlapittoMapit #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems

If we haven’t met yet, Hi! 👋🏼👋🏼 I’m Alissa.
I’m a Holistic Practitioner & Therapist specializing in Multiple Sclerosis.

There are SO many tools that we can use to help improve our bodies functioning- which can in turn improve our MS symptoms.

The biggies that have helped me? 👇🏼

🥗Nutrition
🏋🏻‍♀️Movement
🧘🏻‍♀️Stress management

Want my most favorite, super short exercise that can help MS symptoms??

Comment: SLAP and I’ll send it to you!!

#lissms #SlapittoMapit #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems
...

1 0
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!

Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes? 

It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true? 

Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge

Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!

Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes?

It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true?

Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge
...

0 0
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!

Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes? 

It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true? 

Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #slapittomapit #betterbrain

Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!

Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes?

It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true?

Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #slapittomapit #betterbrain
...

10 5
It’s an easy exercise with a silly name, but it actually packs a punch and can really change how you feel. 

Imagine measurably more energy and feeling more stable and balanced- and even improving a few MS symptoms here and there too?🤷🏻‍♀️ 

Your possibilities are endless! 

Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short video about how to do it!

#lissms #slapittomapit multiplesclerosis #thisisms

It’s an easy exercise with a silly name, but it actually packs a punch and can really change how you feel.

Imagine measurably more energy and feeling more stable and balanced- and even improving a few MS symptoms here and there too?🤷🏻‍♀️

Your possibilities are endless!

Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short video about how to do it!

#lissms #slapittomapit multiplesclerosis #thisisms
...

17 7
Take a time out for a literal minute.

It’s amazing what happens when you take the time to care for your body and nervous system. 

#LissMS #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation

Take a time out for a literal minute.

It’s amazing what happens when you take the time to care for your body and nervous system.

#LissMS #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation
...

13 1
First year flower garden needed a post. Already looking forward to next summer, maybe a little less yellow? Can’t wait for the zinnias to bloom!
😂🌼💛
What are you growing??

#lissms #cutflowergarden

First year flower garden needed a post. Already looking forward to next summer, maybe a little less yellow? Can’t wait for the zinnias to bloom!
😂🌼💛
What are you growing??

#lissms #cutflowergarden
...

17 0

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