Monday 4 October 2010

What can I do in the meantime?

I know not everyone can get the treatment straight away, so what can you do to keep your circulation as healthy as possible in the meantime?

First of all, if you smoke, stop now.
As well as all the other lung problems smoking causes, nicotine narrows the blood vessels. If you have narrowed neck veins already, that's the last thing you want to do. So stop smoking now.

Eat a healthy diet.
A low-fat, low salt, nothing in excess diet will stop clogging your blood vessels with cholesterol and lower your blood pressure. Getting and or/keeping your weight at a healthy level (and don't forget too low is as bad as too high). Look on the heart health sites for a good place to start. If find it helps , many MS support groups have sub-groups following the Swank or Best Bet diets.

Exercise.
I know that heat sensitivity and limited mobility/ balance problems can make it difficult to work your body. But there are options. The UK  MS Trust has a useful DVD and on-line exercise programme . 
There are also several other on-line exercise and physiotherapy sites. If necessary discuss what is the best programme for you with your medical advisors.

If you have access to it, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) may also help your brain and spinal chord tissues well oxygenated. It worked for me. CCSVI may well help explain why some MS patients have recorded benefits from this therapy.

Certain supplements are also thought to help keep someone with MS as healthy as possible. Vitamin D and calcium are worthwhile, as more research is indicating a wider role for vitamin D than peviously thought. A number of others may again help, so research and find what works for you and your budget.

There are a lot of complementary and alternative therapies out there, and lots of information both good and bad. A good place to start looking is the Rocky Mountain Centre. I don't advocate any, but if it makes you feel better and you can afford it, go for it. Just remember, if it sounds too good to be true,it may well be.

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