How MS affects your work-life balance
MS is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. The exact cause is unknown, but it occurs when the immune system becomes confused and destroys the fatty substance called myelin sheath, which covers and protects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, which make up the central nervous system. This creates communication problems and disrupts the messages being passed between the brain and other parts of the body.
Depending on where the attack occurs, it can cause different neurological symptoms in different people. This is what makes MS „highly individualized,“ says Dr. Robert Bermel, director of the Cleveland Clinic Mellen Multiple Sclerosis Center.
The symptoms of MS are diverse and can range from mild to severe. Fatigue and mood problems seem to be the most common complaints. These „invisible symptoms“ can interfere with daily life, make daily tasks difficult, and impact productivity at work and home.
Research shows that the socio-economic impact of MS is significant. Reduced work hours, sick leave, decreased work performance, and early retirement are common for people living with this condition. Lack of energy also carries over when you're running errands or trying to balance the demands of home life. Sometimes you just don't have enough energy to get through your to-do list for the day.
„I think you can describe the symptoms of fatigue as being like a gas tank with limited fuel. Once you run out of fuel, you're kind of wiped out,“ Vermel says.
Common MS symptoms include:
- MS hug. You may feel a tightening sensation around your torso, similar to a blood pressure cuff being tightened.
- Malaise
- pain
- itch
- Difficulty walking and balancing
- Numbness or tingling
- Weakness
- muscle spasms
- blurred vision
- feel dizzy or dizzy
- bladder and bowel problems
- mood swings
- depression
- Changes in mental skills
- sexual problems
Less common symptoms include:
- language disorder
- loss of taste
- trembling
- seizure
- difficulty breathing
- swallowing problems
- hearing loss
When to call your doctor about an MS flare-up
MS symptoms can definitely disrupt your mood and daily routine, but symptoms can vary in intensity and not all are concerning. This is especially true if you are newly diagnosed with MS.
„The most important thing to understand from the beginning is to help people with MS distinguish between the symptoms of a new MS flare-up and fluctuations in existing symptoms. Symptoms certainly have their ups and downs, and the good days I have bad days, I have bad days, and they change from time to time.''Although they are classified as „pseudo-relapses,'' I prefer to call them fluctuations in symptoms,'' says Vermell.
It's natural to feel anxious if the symptoms are something you've never experienced before. But Dr. Brian Barry, a neurologist and director of the MS clinic at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., says it's best to wait about 24 hours to see if your symptoms get better or worse.
„We all experience numbness from sleeping on the wrong arm, which goes away after a few minutes. But if you have new symptoms, something you've never experienced before, or something worse than yours, „If you've had this before, especially if it lasts for more than a day, I definitely recommend seeing a neurologist,'' Barry says.
Certain things can also trigger a flare-up and make you feel worse. These include stress, fever, urinary tract infections, overheating, and viral infections. Symptoms may lessen as the trigger subsides.
Experts say it's best to wait and see. This way you don't have to suddenly cancel everything on your schedule. This saves you from having to go to the doctor's office every time you notice your symptoms getting worse.
Tips for managing schedules in MS
The unpredictability of MS can be frustrating and can complicate daily life. But there are things you can do to manage your physical and mental health in the long run. They include:
Save your energy. You may have limited energy at the beginning of the day. Use it early in the day or for tasks that are at the top of your priority list. And Riley says it's okay to cut some slack even if you don't accomplish everything on your to-do list.
„I think it's important to slow down and give yourself permission to say no. I think it's really important to give yourself grace. Maybe you can't do the laundry today, you can't make dinner. , I can't prepare a meal or do anything,” she says.
Rest when you need to. „Simply setting aside 15 minutes every two hours for physical and mental rest can go a long way. This can really help avoid things like overheating and dehydration,“ Barry says.
This will leave you feeling recharged to tackle your next task.
Let's exercise. Riley points out that exercise not only improves your physical health, but also improves your thinking skills. She also focuses on doing neuromotor training. This type of exercise helps improve hand-eye coordination, agility, and sense of balance. All of these are helpful for MS patients.
According to Riley, this is as easy as throwing and catching a tennis ball. „Anyone can do it.“
Eat healthy. Eating a balanced, healthy diet on a regular basis will give you the nutrition and energy you need to get through the day. However, it is best to avoid hot or spicy meals that can cause an increase in body temperature.
If you're not sure where to start, talk to a nutritionist who can help you create a meal plan that works for you.
Communicate your limits at work. MS can affect your productivity at work, so it's important to clearly communicate your limitations to your boss and colleagues. This helps manage expectations.
Mr Barry said this could include „strategies to arrange accommodation to allow for more frequent breaks“.
You can also include options such as talking to your human resources department about remote work to suit your needs.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Housework and other mundane tasks may seem like too much when you have little energy. Ask family and friends for help when you really need it.
„If you have children, start asking them to help around the house and really communicating with your spouse. Let people know where they can help and let them know where they can step in. is very important,” says Riley.
Find the treatment plan that's right for you. There is no cure for MS, but disease-modifying drugs and other treatment plans can help manage the condition. Ask your doctor what is right for you.
„If[MS]is impacting someone's quality of life, we have common medications for pain. If walking is difficult, we recommend trying physical therapy,“ Barry said. he says.
Occupational therapy is another option. An occupational therapist can help you deal with any limitations you may have in terms of work or home life, and find ways to adapt to life with MS in the long term.
However, it is important to remember that MS affects people differently. What works for one person may not necessarily work for you. It is best to work with your medical team to find solutions to manage your schedule.
„You can't write the rules for someone else's MS. You have to really customize its approach and management. That's one of the things that's so difficult about MS: its unpredictability and heterogeneity. „It's a little difficult.'' Everyone is different, and everyone creates their own story about MS,'' says Vermell.