Live Free Home Health Care, LLC. - Bristol, New Hampshire

All posts within: Multiple Sclerosis

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Demystifying the Pain of Multiple Sclerosis

Many people associate the term multiple sclerosis with weakness and motor problems, but not necessarily with pain. And yet, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society reports that almost half of all people with MS suffer from chronic pain.

Oftentimes, it is difficult for people with MS to describe the pain they experience. Sometimes it is like a toothache, other times like a burning pain, and sometimes a very intense sensation of pressure. The pain can affect several areas of the body at one time and often changes for no apparent reason.

So what is the mystery cause behind this unpredictable, changing and often incapacitating pain? WebMD reports that the pain is like an illusion created by the nervous system. Normally the nervous system sends pain signals as a natural defense mechanism when something damaging happens to the body. But in MS, the nerves are too active and they send pain signals for no good reason -- they're firing a pain message in an abnormal way.

MS pain can express itself in many different ways, but here are a few of the more common symptoms:

• Acute sudden pain. This burning, tingling, shooting, or stabbing pain comes and goes rather quickly.

• Trigeminal neuralgia: This feels like dental pain, but is actually pain in the facial area brought on by facial movement such as chewing, yawning, sneezing or brushing one’s teeth.

• Lhermitte's sign. A brief, stabbing, electric-shock-like sensation that runs from the back of the head down the spine, brought on by bending the neck forward.

• Burning, aching, or "girdling" around the body. This is called dysesthesia by physicians and is sometimes called the MS Hug.

What are ways to cope with the pain?

Some pain may be relieved by anti-inflammatory drugs, massage, and physical therapy. Ice packs and anesthetic creams may help as well. Other tactics to try are deep breathing exercises or creative visualization where one visualizes the pain as an image and then visualizes something to relieve that image of pain. Another option may be distraction from the pain, such as involvement in social activities.

A Live Free Home Health Care caregiver can provide these and other creative techniques to help ease MS pain, allowing for a fulfilling and productive lifestyle. Providing in-home care services in Concord, New Hampshire and the rest of the Lakes region and Central New Hampshire, contact us today to learn more about how we can assist.

For further resources on multiple sclerosis, click here.

Tags:   better quality of life, Multiple Sclerosis, private duty agencies

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Thursday, March 17, 2011

It’s OK to Accept Help: How Home Care Smoothes the Transitions of MS

Due to the changeability and oftentimes unpredictability of multiple sclerosis symptoms, the type and degree of help needed varies from person to person and may even vary from time to time for the same individual. Because of this, a person with MS may be hesitant to accept assistance with daily activities. However, an experienced in-home caregiver can help someone live with MS much more comfortably. Professional caregivers are also trained to be sensitive to the changing needs of a person with MS and understand when to step in to assist and when give tasks back, allowing for maximum independence.

As with any ailment that requires caregiving, sometimes family members can become burnt out or simply not know how to help. Turning to a professional caregiver for some respite help can be extremely valuable to provide families with a break and some education. Here are a few of the other ways a home care agency can help.

• Grooming, toileting and safe transfers

• Scheduling

• Socialization

• Light housekeeping

• Errand services

• Laundry and linen washing

• Groceries and incidental shopping

A person with MS should never feel bad when asking for help. It is important to spend energy on what matters and bring in reinforcements for the other tasks. Consider a few hours a day of practical assistance from a professional caregiver who is trained in MS care. We think you’ll quickly recognize a difference for the better. Contact Live Free Home Health Care in Concord for more information on how our in-home caregivers can make a person with MS feel enabled, motivated and connected to others.

Tags:   better quality of life, home care, Multiple Sclerosis, private duty agencies

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Thursday, March 10, 2011

Stop Losing Sleep Over MS Fatigue: Tips to Help

If you have MS, you know that the fatigue associated with MS is not like an ordinary feeling of tiredness. Rather it feels like the fatigue one would associate with the flu. This sort of fatigue can really wear a person down over time, but there are methods to help relieve this most common MS symptom.

Try meditation: It is amazing how the power of the mind can influence a person’s body. Try tai chi or yoga. At the very least, you will get some exercise, which is also beneficial.

Nutrition: A good overall rule of thumb is to eat plenty of whole foods such as fruits and veggies, avoid too many simple carbohydrates and drink plenty of liquids. Don’t forget about breakfast for an energy boost in the morning and try eating more iron rich foods such as fish and eggs, as low iron levels can lead to fatigue.

Manage depression: Depression makes fatigue worse. As with any depression, treatment should be a first line of defense.

Exercise: Maintaining a regular exercise program will provide optimal energy, but be careful not to overdo it. Know your limits and rest between activities.

Prioritize: Devise a daily plan on what needs to be done and organize tasks into manageable chunks, delegating strenuous tasks whenever possible.

For more tips on managing MS fatigue, click here.

With various adjustments made along the way, there is possible relief from MS fatigue. A professional in-home caregiver experienced in MS care such as at Live Free Home Health Care in Concord can also help with interventions to fight MS fatigue. Besides Concord, New Hampshire, Live Free Home Health Care also services the rest of the Lakes region and central New Hampshire. Call us today at 603-217-0149.

Tags:   better quality of life, home care, Multiple Sclerosis

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Friday, March 04, 2011

How Taking Care of the Mind, Body, and Spirit Relieves Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

Nourishing the mind, body and spirit is essential to managing any disease, but really plays a big role for someone with multiple sclerosis. Fatigue, poor diet and unmanaged stress can exacerbate symptoms as well as make one more vulnerable to illnesses such as influenza and pneumonia.

Consider enlisting the assistance of a professional in-home caregiver to make living a healthy lifestyle seem effortless. Here are some ways a professional caregiver can help a person with MS:

MIND – Professional caregivers can help set up a daily routine that limits activities and fits in regular rest periods to prevent fatigue and symptom exacerbations. They can also provide tips and techniques for easier bathing and dressing, assisting as needed.

BODY – Symptoms of MS may come and go, sometimes presenting certain physical limitations. An in-home caregiver can:

• Assist with body mechanics for good posture, alignment and improved gait

• Encourage daily exercise and assist with physical therapy

• Provide tasty, nourishing meals and assistance with eating if needed

SPIRIT – Keeping spirits high will go a long way in managing MS and making life more enjoyable. Professional caregivers are not only physical helpers but know tips/tricks to help lift spirits, such as:

• Encouraging independence by being sensitive to knowing when to take and then give back responsibility for tasks as symptoms come and go

• Providing emotional support

• Providing recommendations for devices designed to make daily activities more comfortable, such as built-up utensils, reaching devices, and sliding boards

For more tips on caring for your health with MS, click here.

An experienced caregiving team such as at Live Free Home Health Care will identify a person’s specific challenges living with MS and help to provide solutions. For more information about how we can help, please contact Live Free Home Health Care at 603-217-0149.

Tags:   better quality of life, caregiver tips, home care, Multiple Sclerosis

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