Multiple Sclerosis 1:
Healthy Living with MS
Trudy L. Campbell, MSCN RN-NP
Dalhousie MS Research Unit
Halifax, NS, Canada
Understanding the Diagnosis

The disease was first identified and described by Dr.
Jean Martin Charcot in 1868.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease affecting
the central nervous system.

It is the most common neurological disease affecting
young adults in Canada.

It affects one person in 500 to
1,000 Canadians. (55,000 to 75,000)
Who can get MS?

MS is usually diagnosed between the ages
of 15 to 40.

MS affects twice as many women as men.

MS is more common in countries farthest
from the equator.
Central Nervous System
Brain

The central nervous system
conducts information, in the
form of electrical signals
(nerve impulses), along the
nerves.

These messages control our
movements and sensations.
Spinal cord
Nerves
Nerve fibre


axon
MS damages the myelin Healthy
and myelin
sheath
(protective covering
Axon
surrounding the nerve
fibres) in patches.
Result: message
transmission is delayed or
blocked.
Healthy myelin
Axon
surrounded
by a damaged
myelin sheath
Axon

Research has shown that
axonal loss may occur
right from the onset of the
disease.
Damaged
myelin
What is an MS Relapse?
 Appearance of a new symptom
 Significant worsening of existing symptoms
 Lasts at least 48 hours, with no fever or infection
 An MS relapse generally lasts 3 to 12 weeks.

Some are much shorter, while others last longer.

The duration and symptoms of a relapse vary from one
person to another, and from one relapse to another in the
same person.
Course of the Disease
MS is unpredictable.
Remission
Relapse
So, other than medication, what
can I do to manage my MS?
What is Physical Health?
 Diet
 Exercise
 Sleep
 Vitamin D
 Routine Check-Ups with Healthcare Team
DIET
 Encompasses all the foods we eat in our day-to-
day life
 Not necessarily restrictive
 “Disciplined Freedom”
 Food Swaps
 How do we know what & how much to eat?
Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy
Eating
Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy
Eating
EXERCISE
 Is different for everyone!
 Do something you enjoy and that you can maintain
 Set achievable goals for type of activity and duration
 Have an exercise partner – motivation and
encouragement, help with exercises
Benefits of Exercise
 Combats health conditions/diseases (blood





pressure, cholesterol, etc.)
Improved mood (decreased anxiety/depression)
Increased energy
Helps maintain a healthy weight
Improved sleep
It’s FUN!
I find it challenging to find the time.....
 23 ½ hours Video
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo
SLEEP
 Everyone needs a different amount of sleep
 How do you feel when you do not get enough sleep?
 How do you feel when you do get enough sleep?
 How has having M.S. affected your sleeping patterns?
SLEEP HYGIENE
 Go to bed and wake up at the same time





everyday
Stop using phones/computers at least 30 minutes
before bed time
Only use your bed for sleeping and sexual activity
If you haven’t fallen asleep after 20 minutes, go to
a different room and do a soothing activity (ex.
Reading) until you feel sleepy
Create a bed time routine that helps you unwind
at the end of the day
Avoid naps!
Benefits of Sleep
 Improved memory
 Sharpens attention
 Helps maintain a healthy weight
 Lowers stress
 Can lower your risk of depression
VITAMIN D
 In M.S. the immune system attacks and destroys
the sheath that protects nerve fibres
 Vitamin D helps the immune system work
properly
 Natural sources of Vitamin D include sunshine
and milk
 Important to take 4000 iU of Vitamin D/day
SMOKING/TOBACCO/DRUGS
 Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol
(Canada’s Food Guide recommends that 5% of
daily calories come from alcohol)
 Best to avoid tobacco/drugs
Multiple Sclerosis
IS……
 A complex autoimmune disease of the central
nervous system
 Treatments for relapses, disease management
and symptoms exist
 Managing MS effectively involves both treatment
of the disease but also management of other
lifestyle factors including physical activity, diet,
and Vitamin D to name a few.