Exercises for Multiple Sclerosis (1)

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Understanding Multiple Sclerosis

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that
  adversely affects the brain, spinal cord, and
  optic nerves.
• It is a chronic neurological disease that
  affects the central nervous system.
• Just like a virus or bacteria, MS can attack the
  healthy tissue, namely, the myelin sheath around
  the nerve fibres. This causes inflammation,
  resulting in the brain not being able to
  communicate properly with the rest of the body

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Signs and Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

• Given that MS affects the brain and the spinal
  cord, which in turn, controls all the actions of
  our body, some of the earliest symptoms include
• Muscle weakness
• Numbness and tingling in the face, body, arms, or
  legs
• Lhermittes sign (a shock-like sensation when
  they move their neck)
• Difficulty emptying their bladder or need to
  urinate frequently
• Bowel problems and constipation
• Fatigue, vertigo or hampering a persons ability
  to function at work
• Sexual dysfunction
• Spasticity and muscle spasms
• Double or blurred vision, or even partial or
  total loss of vision
• Emotional changes or mood changes

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• Some of the less common symptoms include
• Headaches
• Itching
• Respiratory or breathing problems
• Seizures
• Speech disorders
• Swallowing problems
• Urinary tract infections

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Physical Exercises for Multiple Sclerosis

• Physical therapy and exercise can surely help in
  slowing the progression of the disease. It is
  essential to follow a complete fitness program
  that covers all the required aspects of exercise,
  some of which are
• Aerobic exercise - Also known as cardio, improves
  cardiovascular health. Aerobic exercises may
  include walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming.
• Strength/resistance training - Resistance and
  strength training helps increase the overall
  muscle strength.
• Balance and core exercises - A strong core helps
  to maintain a stable body balance, and can be
  achieved by exercises that focus on controlling
  the posture and body mass.
• Stretching/Yoga - Stretching releases muscle
  tension and helps to decrease spasticity, muscle
  tightness and stiffness, and lack of muscle
  control. Yoga has also proven highly beneficial
  for MS, being a combination of various stretching
  exercises as well as breathing.
• Pilates - It helps to improve balance and
  condition the muscles. Pilates is known to be an
  effective exercise for treating medical
  conditions.

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Dos and Donts for Efficient Exercising

• Follow a complete fitness program that includes
  all areas of exercise.
• Consult a physiotherapist before designing a
  fitness regime.
• Design a fitness plan by keeping the symptoms,
  fitness level and overall health in mind.
• Set a daily routine that incorporates regular
  exercise in moderation for maximum benefit.
• Include warm-ups as a standard routine before
  starting any form of exercise and make sure to
  cool down after exercising.
• When starting any new form of exercise, start
  slow and progress gradually.
• Do not overdo it.
• Prevent the body from overheating.
• Try moderations if the exercises get too
  difficult for you.
• Do not let fatigue take over take breaks
  in-between exercises and get adequate rest. Allow
  your body enough recovery time on a daily basis.

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Thank You