Multiple sclerosis and fatigue happen to be closely associated in a large number of MS patients. This inextricable association between multiple sclerosis and fatigue complicates the lives of the MS patients considerably.
One of the distinctions of fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients is that it is more pervasive and debilitating than typical fatigue. To anybody looking for parallels to the fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome is probably most apt. Multiple sclerosis fatigue and CFS are similar in the sense that patients with either condition are always fatigued, no matter what the situation. Hour of sleep do not relieve either form of fatigue. In addition, the fatigue extends beyond the physical realm: patients experience mental exhaustion and cognitive difficulties (difficulty concentrating and remembering). Patients with either condition also experience muscular weakness and depression.
There are, however, many distinctions between the two conditions. For one, they have distinctly different epidemiological patterns: CFS affects all ethnicities equally, but is especially an issue at lower socioeconomic levels. MS is more of an issue in temperate regions and industrialized nations. Additionally, MS is associated with lesions in nervous tissue while CFS is not.
Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue Treatment
Unfortunately for MS patients, there’s no simple pill they can pop to eliminate their fatigue symptoms. However, there are certain steps they can take to make their multiple sclerosis and fatigue manageable. One of them entails developing a realistic sense of just how much energy they have. This will ensure that they don’t commit themselves to doing more than they can manage. They should also learn to recognize when they have done enough and make a point of resting then.
Those who suffer from multiple sclerosis and fatigue are advised to plan their schedules to make things easier for them. It is best for them to work at a moderate pace. It is also best for them to minimize activities that increase their muscle tension. Another important strategy for the patients to adopt is one that is geared towards healthy living. In other words, they should engage in moderate exercise under the supervision of their doctors and physical and occupational therapists. Additionally, they should maintain a healthy diet that meets all their nutritional needs.
Sufferers of fatigue and multiple sclerosis should keep an eye out for those factors that trigger multiple sclerosis flares and exhaustion. They should avoid them as much as possible. Last but not least, they should avoid stress-provoking situations and learn techniques for stress management.
