Partnering with the MS Society in WY!
THE GOAL:
To increase independent living and quality of life for people living with MS.
WHAT IS MS?
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms vary from person to person and range from numbness and tingling, to walking difficulties, fatigue, dizziness, pain, depression, blindness, and paralysis. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.3 million worldwide.
WHAT IS THE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY?
The Society mobilizes people and resources so that everyone affected by multiple sclerosis can live their best lives, restore what has been lost and end MS forever. Last year alone, through the comprehensive nationwide network of services, the Society devoted more than $100 million to connect approximately one million people affected by MS to the connections, information, and resources they need. To move closer to a world free of MS, the Society also invested $42 million to support more than 380 new and ongoing research projects around the world. United in our collective power, we want to do something about MS now and end this disease forever. Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE EFFECTS OF MS?
- A decrease in cognitive function
- A decrease in problem-solving abilities
- Decrease or loss of concentration
- Decrease or loss of executive function
- Decrease or loss of memory
- Decrease or loss of verbal fluency
- Processing of information can change
- Symptoms can change suddenly
- Exacerbations may occur suddenly
- Treatment looks different for every person
WHAT’S LIV HEALTHS’ ROLE?
One of our highly trained Case Managers will meet with you or your loved one to assess needs, and come up with a plan for treatment. We can help get you connected with the resources needed to increase independence and quality of life.
DID YOU KNOW…
Multiple Sclerosis and Mental Health
- Can overlap with other MS symptoms
- Are often under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed
- Interfere with self-care/adherence to treatment
- May be triggered by medications
- Respond best to medication and/or psychotherapy
HOW DO I MANAGE MS?
According to nationalmssociety.org, there are many essential components to managing MS, some of them being
- Diet, exercise and health behaviors including:
- • Modifying the disease course, treating relapses, managing symptoms, and ongoing rehab to promote function mobility, safety, independence and participation at home, at work or in the community.
- Heat and temperature sensitivity; and elevated temperature can further impair the ability to conduct electrical impulses.
- Sleep quality is important for maintaining good health. Below are some strategies to help you get the sleep you need:
- • Go to bed and get up at the same time every day
- • Clear your mind before bed
- • Plan your exercise to occur about 4-6 hours before bedtime
- • Limit your caffeine use to the morning
- • Create a bedtime ritual to signal the body to slow down
- • Don’t drink a lot of fluids just before bedtime
- • Make sure your bedroom is cool, quiet and dark
- • Try a relaxation technique
- Vaccinations
- Unhealthy habits, like smoking, can worsen MS
- and many more
Managing MS is an ongoing process, beginning with the very first symptoms and continuing throughout the disease course. It’s never too soon or too late to think about how to access high quality, comprehensive, interdisciplinary care.
At LIV Health we can help.
If you have questions about our services, or a service not listed below, please contact us!