Tips for living with MS

• 10 Tips to Beat the Heat
• Summer heat: How to find relief
• Safety around the home
• Travel Tips
• Travel safety

10 Tips to Beat the Heat - by Trish Robichaud

For people with multiple sclerosis, finding ways to beat the heat is about more than just comfort. Staying cool this summer may mean the difference between a season filled with fun activities and one spent in what I call “horizontal mode”.

Here are 10 tips to help you stay cool when the temperature soars.

1. Air conditioning
Air conditioning may be your weapon in the fight against heat. I have a window unit in my bedroom for sleeping. If air conditioning isn’t possible, a dehumidifier and fans can help. By removing some humidity and creating a current, the air will feel cooler. When all else fails, visit the mall, library or any place that has air conditioning. If prescribed by a physician, the cost of an air conditioner (maximum $1,000) can be claimed as a medical expense on your federal income tax form.

2. Keep the sun out
Keep the window shades drawn from at least 11:00 am until 2:00 pm. The mid-day sun can increase the heat in the house and make it difficult to cool down in the evening.

3. Sleep alone
It sounds lonely but it’ll be much cooler without the body heat that comes with a spouse, child, dog or even the family cat sharing your bed.

4. Wear cotton
Cotton takes perspiration away from the skin leaving you drier and more comfortable. Select light-coloured cotton clothes, nightwear and bedding. Cotton sheets not only absorb sweat, but permits your skin to breathe, making you more comfortable and less restless. Better sleep means more energy and better mobility.

5. Cool showers and baths
During the summer, there’s nothing more satisfying than a cool bath or shower. Even running cold water over my wrists (or another pulse point) for a few minutes cools me down. When I can’t sleep at night because of the heat, I fill a pan with cold water and soak my feet – it really helps to lower the body temperature!

6. Keep exercise moderate
Exercise is important but it’s tempting to skip it when it’s hot. Do exercise but keep it moderate. Don’t push yourself too hard and be sure to take a cool shower afterwards to bring your body temperature back down.

7. Try swimming
If possible, choose swimming as your exercise during the summer. Swimming works all the major muscle groups while helping to maintain a lower body temperature. It also helps with balance and mobility.

8. Seek shade
When you’re going to be outside, always sit in the shade. Even better, sit in the shade where there’s a breeze.

9. Wear a hat
The sun beating down on your head has a huge impact on your body temperature: always wear a hat when you’re out in the sun.

10. Try cooling clothing
A number of manufacturers now make cooling vests, hats, etc. Last summer my husband came home with cooling bandanas. They have gel crystals that retain cold when wet. You run it under cold water and tie it around your head. As long as it stays wet, it stays cool – neat!

The following is a partial list of manufacturers and suppliers of "cooling” clothing. These links are provided for your interest only – the MS Society does not endorse any supplier or manufacturer.

Trish Robichaud is a Maximum Life Coach with multiple sclerosis who coaches people to maximize their quality of life in spite of a chronic health condition or a disability. Visit her on the web at www.ChangingPaces.com.

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Summer heat: How to find relief

Summer is a mixed blessing for people with MS. While it is great to be rid of endless rain and snow, summer also means heat, and that can make MS symptoms worse for may who have multiple sclerosis.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to stay cool.

Air conditioning at home may be the best answer. The cost of air conditioning became a medical expense for Income Tax purposes in 1995. Following a favourable judgement in a court case supported by the MS Society, the federal government made air conditioning tax deductible if prescribed by a physician. You can claim 50% of the cost, up to $1,000.

Some divisions and local chapters can help with the cost of air conditioners through special assistance programs. Contact your division office at 1 800 268-7582 to find out if help is available.

Sometimes simple things can help such as:

• Dress lightly, eat cool foods and drink cool fluids.
• If an air conditioner isn't available, use a fan. A fan near an open window away from the sun will help in circulating cooler air.
• Cool baths or showers are refreshing; be sure hand rails and other supports are installed in the tub for safety.
• Try "cool clothing" -- these are products such as scarves, hats and vests that contain substances that can hold either cold or heat depending upon your need. Various kinds are available at pharmacies or at some department stores.
• Do your exercise in the pool (make sure it's not overly heated) so you can stay both fit and cool.

(Adapted from MS Canada, August 1999)

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Safety around the home

Making specific changes around the home can significantly reduce injuries or mitigate high-risk situations, such as falling or getting a burn. Here are some suggested precautions.

Kitchen

• Use a microwave oven instead of a traditional stove and kettle.
• When using a stove:
    1. Select a model with controls located at the front
    2. Use the back burners whenever possible
    3. Use a stove guard which fits around the side or front of the stove.
• Buy a kettle and iron with an automatic switch-off.
• When loading a dishwasher, ensure that knives and other sharp utensils are placed safely out of the way. Point blades and other sharp objects downward.
• Wear rubber gloves when washing glassware or knives.
• Keep regularly used household items, such as kitchen utensils, towels and linens, where they can be easily reached.
• Serve food from where it is cooked, directly onto plates. You won't have to carry saucepans or casseroles of hot food.
• Avoid:
    1. breakable dinnerware
    2. electric egg beaters
    3. electric carving knives

Bathroom

• Never lock the bathroom door.
• Take showers rather than baths. Sit down when showering, and shower only when someone else is at home.
• Avoid baths entirely. A sponge bath using the sink is a safe alternative.
• Keep a rubber bath mat on the floor of the shower, and pad the edge of the tub with a folded towel.
• To prevent burns, turn on the cold water first.
• Avoid glass shower doors.
• Don't allow face cloths or sponges to block the drain, causing the tub to fill with water.
• Consider installing doors, which swing open in both directions, or a fall-alarm system.

Other Home Safety Measures

• Maintain well-lighted areas in and around the home.
• Use nightlights.
• Keep floors free of obstacles.
• Fasten loose rugs to the floor.
• Select low, dense-pile carpet rather than shag.
• Wear low-heeled, well-fitting shoes with good traction.
• Select furniture with rounded edges.
• Use padded furniture and put protective padding around the corners of tables.
• When decorating, avoid glass and mirror tiles as well as floor or table lamps.
• Whenever possible, place furniture against the wall.
• If you require a wheelchair, use one with a leg recliner and padded arms.
• Portable phones or beepers provide a way to call for help from any part of the house.
• Bungalows and split-level houses are safer than two-storey homes.
• Look for ground level entry when purchasing or renting a house.
• Install handrails on both sides of a staircase.
• Staircases with several landings are recommended to prevent long falls.
• Consider sitting as you go up or down stairs.
• Forced air heating is preferable to exposed heating elements such as radiators and baseboard heaters.

Seniors and others who may be vulnerable and who live alone can work out a simple code with friends and neighbours. A flower pot in the window, or a shade that is lowered and raised according to a schedule, can reassure friends and neighbours that all is well, or alert them if there are problems.

(Adapted from Sharing, the official journal of Epilepsy Ontario Vol. 16, No. 2, Summer 2000: www.epilepsyontario.org )

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Travel Tips

Be prepared for increased security when flying

The summer months often mean travel time at home or abroad. If you are flying, make sure you follow the motto "be prepared" before you head for the airport because of increased security requirements.

If you will be travelling with injectible medications within Canada you should have a letter from your doctor describing the medications and medical devices that you require. It is also a good idea to keep all medications in their original packaging showing the prescription label.

The bag you use for medical supplies or assistive devices usually is not counted in the limit of one carry-on bag and one personal bag (purse or briefcase). It is a good idea to clarify the policy of the airline you are using at the time you book your ticket.

Requirements for the U.S. are more stringent. Doctors' letters and written prescriptions are not accepted because of forgery concerns. Instead, all medications must be in their original packaging with a professional, pharmaceutical pre-printed label that clearly identifies the medication.

In addition, when you book your flight, make the airline aware of devices you use (leg braces, walker or wheelchair) or assistance that you will need to board and leave the plane and during the flight.

You should expect to be screened carefully, possibly with the use of a hand-held medical detector, especially if you use a wheelchair and can't stand up. Assistive devices that you need on board will also be examined.

With a little preparation, you should have a safe and enjoyable flight. Bon voyage!

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Travel safety

Whether you're planning a trip, visiting family or taking a walk around your neighbourhood, ensure your health is always protected. According to health experts, the biggest threat to health while travelling is not a rare disease from an exotic destination, but a flare-up of an existing medical condition.

• Before you leave, schedule a visit to your physician. Be sure to obtain all the medical care, prescriptions and documentation you need. If you are planning a trip to an exotic destination, receive any necessary vaccinations.
• Plan for enough medication to cover 1 week longer than you expect to be gone.
• Keep all medications in their original package.
• Wear a MedicAlert (or similar) ID bracelet. During a medical emergency, it is important that first responders and other health professionals are alerted to any pre-existing conditions. If you are unable to speak, a MedicAlert bracelet or necklet can speak for you, notifying health care personnel or other bystanders of your condition, and any medication you are taking. One call to its 24-hour emergency hotline, available worldwide in 140 languages, gives healthcare professionals access to your medical profile and personal contacts.

Emergency Medical Information Services

Canadian MedicAlert Foundation
301 - 250 Ferrand Drive
Toronto, Ontario M3C 3G8
800-668-1507 (toll free)
www.medicalert.ca

UMED - Universal Medical History & Information Inc.
105 - 2200 Lakeshore Boulevard West
Toronto, Ontario M8V 1A4
416-251-2777
www.umedhistory.com

(Adapted from Sharing, the official journal of Epilepsy Ontario Vol. 16, No. 2, Summer 2000: www.epilepsyontario.org )

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