Real-time, real sessions, real answers.
I am answering this question during an immunomodulatory plenary session at ECTRIMS -- see my blogs at same time (www.neurologique.org --> Twitter).
I thought this would be valuable while it is still hot.
Question:
I was looking on the internet this morning trying to get some information about Florida when I came across this e-mail address.
I have had MS for about 8 years now and so far I have been blessed with not having too many issues.
Heat is one of my worst enemies. I am planning on going on a cruise in November and am worried about the heat/humidity in Florida.
Do you have any tips that may help me with dealing with these issues?
Thank you for the email.
Amswer:
Florida is hot and humid, but less so in November than August.
Heat sensitivity causes something called Uhthoff's phenomenon -- see:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/
The ways to deal with it are:
1. Try to minimize your direct sun exposure (this is good advice to prevent skin cancer, as well).
2. Drink plenty of cold water/fluids (much of the overheating occurs because of mild dehydration and a cold drink can help bring down your core body temperature.
3. Consider using a cooling device, such as a cooling device. Also, because of the high humidity, evaporative techniques (dipping a special vest or scarf in water) do not work -- so you need to use the ice-pack cooling vests. See the MSF (MS Foundation) and MSAA (MS Association of America) resources.
4. Talk to your doctor about a compounded medicine called 4-aminopyridine. Note that this is a compounded medication and not FDA approved yet as a pill.
If you do get overheated, then try to cool down your core body temperature by cooling areas that have a superficial blood supply (just like where you put perfume and where you put ice packs when someone has heat stroke).
Most likely, however, you will do well and enjoy your cruise!
Medical Director
Neurologique
info@neurologique.org
www.neurologique.org
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