Summer heat increases MS symptoms – what can I do?
A delicious ice cream in your hand, sand between your toes and just enjoying the sun and relaxing - that's how most people look forward to summer. We all too easily forget that there are also people who suffer from the heat in summer - and not just when the thermometer shows extreme temperatures. In people with MS, the summer heat can trigger symptoms similar to attacks. They suffer from the so-called Uhthoff phenomenon. We have found out what this is all about and collected the best tips for dealing with too much summer heat.
The summer is beautiful but the heat is difficult for many people with MS.
The Uhthoff Phenomenon – Who it affects and what it is all about.
Almost 80 percent of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience a worsening of the symptoms of the disease at higher temperatures, even leading to a so-called pseudo-attack. This phenomenon is called the Uhthoff phenomenon because it was first described by the German ophthalmologist Wilhelm Uhthoff (1853-1927). The trigger does not have to be the summer heat; a hot bath, a sauna session or fever can also be to blame, in other words anything that leads to an increase in the core body temperature. A higher body temperature leads to a reduced transmission speed of nerve impulses. Nerve pathways whose protective myelin layer is damaged by MS or other demyelinating diseases are particularly affected by this effect.
What happens during a pseudo-attack and what can I do?
As with a flare-up, symptoms such as visual disturbances , spasticity or even paralysis suddenly appear. This can be particularly frightening for people who have not been living with the diagnosis of MS for long, as it feels like a real flare-up. Fatigue symptoms also increase in many sufferers, so that they feel even more exhausted and weak in extreme heat. The good news is that the pseudo-flare-ups disappear just as quickly when the body temperature drops, and they do not leave any lasting damage. The best thing you can do during such a pseudo-flare-up is to stay cool. Anyone who has symptoms should stay calm, go to a cooler place and wait.
Is heat generally bad for MS?
So, if you have MS, should you avoid going to the sauna or sunbathing altogether? Not necessarily, because not everyone tolerates the heat badly, and many sufferers even benefit from going to the sauna or getting plenty of sunlight. As is often the case with this disease: There are no clear recommendations, and every patient has their own needs. To find out how their own body reacts to heat, sufferers can start careful self-experiments. This could be a low-intensity sauna visit, for example, although sufferers should always be accompanied to be on the safe side. Since the phenomenon is unpredictable, this self-experiment only provides answers to the current condition. Like all symptoms of MS, heat-related complaints can occur at any time during the disease - even after several symptom-free summers. So what should you do if the heat triggers or exacerbates symptoms?
Especially in midsummer, an air conditioner is a relief for people with multiple sclerosis.
Avoid Uhthoff – What is the best way to combat summer heat in MS?
- Plan the day in advance : For many MS patients, a careful daily schedule is part of their routine, if only to avoid annoying fatigue . If possible, schedule your tasks for the morning and evening hours when the air is still cool or not quite so hot. Midday is for siesta.
- Keep your living spaces cool: Windows should be kept closed during the day and opened at night so that the rooms do not heat up unnecessarily. Darkening the apartment with blinds or black-out curtains also helps to keep the heat out. Where air conditioning is not possible, a fan can provide the necessary refreshment.
- Drink a lot: This advice should actually be obsolete in summer and is only included here for the sake of completeness. Of course, drinking also helps to keep the body temperature down, as more water is available for refreshing evaporation. Water, teas and light fruit spritzers should be the means of choice. Caffeine or alcoholic drinks, on the other hand, can have a counterproductive effect. Very cold drinks and ice cream can be very refreshing in the short term, but the body has to expend energy to bring them to a temperature that is suitable for the stomach. Some foods are also suitable for protecting the body from the heat from the inside. These include watermelons, cucumbers, salads, mint and spinach or even cold vegetable soups.
- Wear airy, cooling clothing: Loose-fitting clothing made of light, breathable fabrics allows the skin to breathe better. If you are outdoors, you should also wear a hat. Some manufacturers offer special cooling clothing. These can be cuffs for the arms or legs, or even T-shirts or vests. Thanks to the materials used, these items of clothing store water without becoming damp on the outside. They can be worn over or under normal clothing. The cooling effect is caused by evaporation.
- Cold shower: If a hot bath can trigger Uhthoff, then it is obvious that a tub of cold water can be a suitable antidote. Or a long, cold shower. But it can also help to park your feet in a bucket of cold water, perhaps garnished with a few ice cubes.
- Avoid stress: This means, above all, not letting yourself get stressed. Most people are less productive on hot summer days. That's just how summer is. If you also suffer from heat intolerance, you can at least keep a cool head and pass the time listening to your favorite radio play or reading the book you've been meaning to read for a long time.
- Store medication correctly: Many medications are temperature-sensitive and should never be stored at temperatures above 25° Celsius. Be sure to read the packaging instructions and ask your doctor or pharmacist for tips on how to store your medication properly.
