As someone with multiple sclerosis who experiences heat sensitivity firsthand, I know it can be a pain in the butt. And by pain in the butt, I mean a literal pain in the butt – sitting on a hot surface for too long can make your whole body feel like it’s on fire!
Before we get into that, let’s start with the basics. What exactly is MS? Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. It can cause symptoms like fatigue, weakness, numbness, and difficulty with coordination and balance. And one of the most common symptoms of MS is heat sensitivity.
Now, you might be thinking, “What’s the big deal? Everyone gets hot in the summer.” But let me tell you, it’s not just feeling a little sweaty and uncomfortable. For someone with MS, being in a hot environment can cause their symptoms to flare up and worsen. This means that even a small increase in body temperature can lead to fatigue, weakness, and other unpleasant symptoms.
So what can you do about it? Well, the obvious answer is to avoid heat as much as possible. That means staying inside during the hottest parts of the day, wearing loose, breathable clothing, and keeping cool with fans or air conditioning. But sometimes, that’s just not possible. Maybe you live in a place where summers are scorching, or maybe you have to go outside for work or other responsibilities.
In those cases, there are a few tricks you can try to stay cool. One is to carry around a cooling towel or bandana that you can wet and drape around your neck or head. Another is to drink plenty of water and other fluids to keep your body hydrated. And if you need to be outside, try to find shade or bring an umbrella to keep the sun off of you.
Of course, sometimes even those measures aren’t enough. So what do you do when you’re already feeling the effects of heat sensitivity? Well, there’s always the tried-and-true method of complaining loudly and frequently. But if that’s not your style, you could try taking a cool shower or bath, or even just splashing cold water on your face and neck. And if you can, lie down in a cool, dark room for a little while to let your body recover.
Now, I know we’ve been talking about a serious medical condition here, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun with it. So let’s end on a humorous note: if you see someone with MS sweating like a pig in a blanket, don’t be afraid to offer them a popsicle. Who knows, it might just save their day.
