Effects
Moderate cooling, such as air conditioning during the summer, can improve multiple sclerosis symptoms. However, extremely cold winter weather can cause fatigue, loss of strength, difficulty walking, rigidity, stiffness and numbness.
Dual Response
Winter weather can temporarily worsen one symptom while improving another symptom. This effect is called a dual response. It also can worsen current symptoms while causing new ones to appear.
Additional Effects
A multiple sclerosis patient may experience loss of bladder or bowel control during winter and summer, but not at other times of the year. Additionally, abnormal skin sensations can occur, such as burning or prickling.
Prevention/Solution
When possible, multiple sclerosis patients should avoid spending time outdoors when the weather is extremely cold. Some patients choose to move to a different climate, but health care practitioners caution that the person should spend some time there before moving to make sure the change is beneficial.
Considerations
Multiple sclerosis patients must take care not to overdress in winter and not to keep their homes and vehicles overly warm. Becoming too warm can worsen existing symptoms and cause new ones to appear.
Tags: sclerosis patients, existing symptoms, extremely cold, Multiple sclerosis patients, ones appear