Health experts are increasingly seeing lifestyle changes as a critical component to managing multiple sclerosis (MS), encouraging MS patients to do things as simple as getting more sunlight and going salsa dancing.
“The things people do day in and day out can make a huge impact on the quality of life,” said Timothy Coetzee, chief of advocacy, services and research for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Researchers believe that MS is an autoimmune disorder, in which the body’s immune system attacks the protective myelin sheath that surrounds the nerves of the brain, spinal cord and eye. This causes nerve impulses to slow down, producing the disease’s characteristic problems with balance, muscle control, vision and even thinking. The cause of the disease is unknown, but certain environmental conditions such as smoking or low vitamin D levels are known to increase the risk of developing it.
Salsa dancing stimulates brain
Although many people who first receive an MS diagnosis assume that they are doomed to permanent disability, increased understanding of the disease is showing that this does not have to be the case. Although there is no cure for MS, 85 percent of patients experience a form of the disease that is known as “relapsing-remitting,” rather than progressive. In the relapsing-remitting form, patients suffer acute attacks of MS symptoms, separated by potentially very long stretches with mild or absent symptoms.
Lifestyle changes can help ease symptoms during relapsing periods, and perhaps even lengthen the remission periods, researchers have found. Increased exercise is among the most important of the lifestyle changes now recommended — a radical departure from prior recommendations to limit activity in order to avoid worsening fatigue and other symptoms. Indeed, new research has shown that, while exercise does worsen some symptoms in the short term, this disadvantage is more than outweighed by long-term improvements in cognition, mood and other symptoms.
Researchers even believe that salsa dancing may be one of the most helpful forms of activity for MS patients, because the steps of the dance style involve moving back and forth between multiple directions (in contrast with the more repetitive motions of an aerobics class, for instance). Scientists from Brown University and the Providence VA Medical Center in Rhode Island are currently conducting a study to see if salsa dancing does, as suspected, stimulate brain function in MS patients better than other forms of exercise.
Sunlight, salt and sleep
Other recent studies have linked high-sodium diets and sleep apnea to more severe MS symptoms, suggesting that lowering salt intake and improving sleep quality could also help manage the disease. Quitting smoking also appears to help improve symptoms.
“[These] are general health strategies that are good for us anyway, they are actually making a difference with respect to the behavior of the disease,” said neurologist Dean Wingerchuk of the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix.
In another study, published in the journal Brain Imaging and Behavior in June, researchers found that mental imaging techniques designed to help brain injury patients absorb and recall information better also improved the memory of MS patients. Just 10 sessions produced an improvement that was sustained six months later.
But one of the most potent lifestyle changes for MS patients may be the simplest of all: spending more time outdoors.
Shanan Munoz, a Dallas neurologist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center’s MS clinic, regularly encourages her patients to increase their levels of sun exposure to boost vitamin D levels. Studies have shown that vitamin D helps prevent MS and may also reduce its severity.
“Medicine alone won’t do it,” Munoz said, “and you have to make some serious lifestyle changes.”
David Gutierrez
Sources:
online.wsj.com
Related Posts
Published by dreddymd
Dr Eddy Bettermann MD focus on Biological Medicine (Biologische Medizin) #Biological #Medicine #videos http://bit.ly/2LF3Ro3, Darkfield Microscopy (Dunkelfeld Mikroskopie), Orthomolecular Medicine (Orthomolekulare Medizin), Ayurvedic Medicine (Ayurveda), Psychosomatic Medicine (Psychosomatische Medizin), raw food (Rohkost), fasting (Fasten):
Our primary integrative medicine goal is the maintenance of your health and wellness, and we are committed to safe and effective healthcare.
Our specialties include online integrative medicine education by alternative doctor: food and allergy management through the use of Integrative medical therapy, Environmental Medicine, General Family Medicine, Ayurveda, Panchakarma, Chronic Fatigue, ADHD, autism, Fibromyalgia, Yeast/Fungus related diseases – Candidacies, mercury dental replacement and detoxification, Natural Thyroid Replacement, Weight loss, Lyme Disease, Irritable Bowel Disease, Attention Deficit Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Addiction related programs, Intestinal Dysbiosis, as well as trigger point therapy using Neural Therapy.
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD, physician from Germany, consultant and teacher in biological medicine, especially dark field microscopy known as Live Blood Analysis in Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines. But he lecture also in the USA, Canada and the U.A.E. He speaks english and german.
https://dreddymd.com/2017/01/17/the-interactive-live-blood-cd-and-the-certified-training-live-blood-analysis-online-course/
https://dreddymd.com/courses/
https://dreddymd.com/2017/01/17/live-blood-microscopy-analysis-darkfield-course/
“Let thy Food be thy Medicine and thy Medicine be thy Food.” — Hippocrates
Physician Member of the Medical Board at AOX Singapore,
Medical Doctor at Nurse Mobile Clinic and
Physician at DrEddy Clinic
Our Mission:
The mission of the Integrative Medicine is to search for the most effective treatments for patients by combining both conventional and alternative approaches that address all aspects of health and wellness – biological, psychological, social and spiritual. Biological Medicine is a big part of my work and so is Dark field Microscopy, what I use in my daily practice and what I teach more then 15 years in Asia and around the world: Live Blood Analysis in dark field based on Haematology.
We utilize Live blood analysis since 2004, conventional as well as specialty laboratories for a thorough diagnostic work up of the disease in question. Our integrative medicine treatment regimens are especially unique and are tailored specifically to the individual needs of each patient.
Our Mission: don’t harm, prevent, use food as medicine
We are a reliable partner for integrative medicine in Medical Spa & Clinic Development and integrative medicine Education Training for alternative doctors – we bring different holistic approaches, like Integrative Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda Medicine together. On your request we offer our service in your place as well.
Heavy metal poisoning
Heavy metal poisoning is much more common than most people realize, and if you’re thinking that it doesn’t apply to you because you haven’t been exposed to any, think again. If you’ve eaten fish regularly, had amalgam fillings, received vaccinations, drank contaminated water, or done industrial or agricultural work or pharmaceutical manufacturing, there’s a good chance that you have a fair amount of toxic metals in your system..
We are here to help and to educate!
Wishing your health and happiness
Dr Eddy Bettermann MD
We are affiliated The Wellness Company https://bit.ly/3V726zc
The Wellness Company Coupon for membership, supplements, doctor appointment, online consultation https://bit.ly/3V5NsIy
DrEddyClinic is affiliate of Amazon and get commission for the products, which we recommend https://www.amazon.com/shop/dreddyclinic , same as GlobalHealing https://dreddymd.com/shop/supplements/
View all posts by dreddymd
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 