Beat Ms and fatigue with proper nutrition

Here are 11 ways to combat MS and fatigue. Remember that it is the seemingly insignificant little things that we do every day that makes the difference.

1. Always remember to read or ask your doctor about any side effects that can cause fatigue from the medications you are taking, including anti-depressants.

2. Drink lots of water every day. Dehydration opens the door to you feeling tired and drained. You might be one of those folks that doesn’t drink water or drink very little, because of the inconvenience over having an over active bladder.

   I can definitely relate to that, but it’s better to deal with the “pain in the neck” of having to look for the nearest bathroom, than dealing with the consequences of dehydration. I always carry with me a bottle of water and I keep them in the fridge so is nice and cold.

   Another plus to doing this, is that water will help you to eliminate toxins in your body. So, don’t scrimp on this one and make it a part of your MS diet.

3. Try to breathe right. Getting used to not breathing correctly and taking short and shallow breaths, will reduce the amount and quality of oxygen going to your cells. As a result you start feeling exhausted very easily – another bump in the road of MS and fatigue symptoms.
4. Start exercising. You have heard it before: doing regular exercise raises your energy levels. If you want to start winning your battle against MS and fatigue: As the Nike TV ads says.......Just do it!
5. Depression in MS and fatigue go hand in hand most of the time. As simple as that so, keep moving forward, and let me add, taking a step back? Not even to gain more impulse. You must come to terms with your new reality, take a deep breath and move forward with YOUR LIFE.

   You will find helpful information for getting out of the slump, reference to motivational books by my favorite writer, Dr. Wayne Dyer, inspiring quotes and other tools that you can start using right now.

   Find out more about this great internationally renowned author and speaker in the field of self-development, I highly recommend Dr. Wayne Dyer Books and Products

6. Heat exacerbates any disabilities you might have. Whenever it is too hot outside my MS and fatigue get worse. I can go from an almost normal, everyday, walking to barely being able to stand so, if I don't pay attention to my body I can get in trouble. That is why I use a cooling vest and take up to 3 cold showers during really hot days.
7. Variety is the key here. Try changing your daily routine or better yet, make new plans for your future. Start learning something new, another language perhaps or that thing you always wanted to learn about, write that book you dreamed of writing. It doesn't matter what it is, everybody needs variety in life.
8. MSers like us, have leg spasticity, cramps or frequent late night trips to the bathroom that keeps us up at night. Try getting as much rest as you need. A good place to start is with re-teaching your body to go to sleep every night around the same time. You need to compensate for all those precious lost minutes.
9. Nutrition is very important and controlling your weight will help you deal with MS fatigue. Start your MS-diet and with the right exercise routine, you will start to feel the difference.
10. Learn to conserve your energy by learning to pace yourself. You can start by planning and following your plan or your prioritized To-Do list. It is just as important to have a balance in life, as it is to balance your MS fatigue. Prioritize the things you want or need to accomplish and learn to manage efficiently your energy.
11. Do not skip breakfast.

    When you wake up every morning, the sugar level in your body is at the lowest so grabbing a good breakfast will definitely give you an energy boost. Not eating anything in the mornings will most likely contribute to you feeling fatigue early on during the day.

An excellent source of energy is inside foods rich in iron. Add fortified cereals, beans and more fish to your MS diet and with the right exercise routine, you will start to feel the difference.

A great book which explains the link between the food that we eat and multiple sclerosis has been very useful to me. This book will show you:

1. What foods are attacking your body
2. What supplements you must take
3. What foods are the best ones for you
4. How to create the energy that you need

This book is a must read: Reverse Multiple Sclerosis to start your path to feeling better and winning the battle against MS and fatigue.

MOST FREQUENTLY PRESCRIBED MEDS TO DEAL WITH MS FATIGUE

• Symmetrel (Amantadine Hydrochloride)
• Modafinil (Provigil®)

Neither one of these medications is approved specifically by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of MS fatigue.

But each one of them has demonstrated some benefit in clinical trials to treat MS fatigue.

I tried Amantadine (early on my multiple sclerosis (MS)) and Provigil a couple of years ago. With Amantadine I didn't feel any change what so ever - don't forget that multiple sclerosis (MS) is different for each of us - and with Provigil I felt a small improvement on my MS fatigue by raising the level of energy early in the day but it didn't last long.

The last drug prescribed by my neurologist was Adderall XR 30 mg. every day. I'll have to say that it is really helping me cope with those dreadful days when I’m feeling totally wipe out for no apparent reason. This, as you very well know, happens too often when you are dealing with MS and fatigue.

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