Current Topics in Multiple Sclerosis - Making An Exercise Routine Too Demanding Can be Harmful to People with MS

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Multiple Sclerosis Current Topics in Multiple Sclerosis

Making An Exercise Routine Too Demanding Can be Harmful to People with MS

For some people exercise doesn't feel good enough until they feel the "burn" of muscles being stretched or the exhaustion of a long, arduous workout. However for people with MS, exercising to the point of pain or fatigue might actually worsen their condition rather than improve it. Very rigorous exercise can increase the core body temperature. Normally the nerves are protected from this heat by the myelin coating. Since in people with MS there is a loss of myelin protecting the nerves, it's thought that a rise in core body temperature could prompt more "short-circuiting" throughout the nervous system which could exacerbate a person's MS current symptoms or even bring on new ones. But mild exercise is recommended to keep the body fit. To judge if exercise is within reasonable limits, a person should be able to speak a sentence clearly during the exercise. If they can’t and struggle for breath, it means the exercise might be too demanding. Experts recommend a blend of mild aerobic exercise, stretching and relaxation techniques to stay in shape.

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