Library Articles
Managing MS Fatigue and Sleep During A Crisis: COVID-19 and Beyond
By: Abbey Hughes, PhD and Stephanie Singleton, OTR/L
Over a few short weeks, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has become a constant presence in our lives. We have experienced rapid shifts in our daily activities, including how we work, socialize, exercise, eat, pray, receive medical care, and care for others. Fatigue and sleep disturbance are common in MS and can worsen during periods of stress.
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Striving for Cognitive Wellness
By: Janet DeClark, MA, CCC-SLP and Meghan Beier PhD
Forgetfulness happens to all of us. Sometimes we forget names or appointments, struggle with finding the right word, or feel overwhelmed and disorganized. But what happens when you notice it occurring more frequently than it used to? When you have MS, you may find that you’re having more trouble with thinking and remembering. Many people with MS have changes in cognition.
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The Process of Therapy
By: Peggy Crawford, PhD and Jean Simmons, PhD - Clinical Psychologists
General guidelines of what to expect when participating in therapy.
Landing on Your Feet When Your World is Turned Upside Down
By: Rosalind Kalb, PhD and Rhonda Canby
Change is part of our lives. We strive for some of those changes – for example, growing up, getting an education, finding a partner, or winning the lottery. Others may be thrust upon us – for example aging, losing a loved one, or being diagnosed with a chronic illness. All changes, whether positive or negative, can be challenging. If you think about getting a new job, starting a new relationship, or having a baby, the challenges as well as the pleasures are pretty obvious.
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CanDoMS, Multiple Sclerosis, MS Nutrition, MS Myths, Nutrition
By: Mona Bostick, RDN, LDN - Registered Dietitian
Finding nutrition information online is easy. In fact, it is hard to escape! But how reliable is the information you find online? How good is the advice from your favorite Instagram account, from your favorite celebrity, or your well-meaning neighbor or friend?
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Communicating with Family: Tips and Strategies
By: Rosalind Kalb, PhD - Psychologist
Sharing information about MS with family members isn’t always easy or straightforward. Different family members want and need different kinds of information; people sometimes have preconceived ideas about what MS is and what you should be doing to manage it; some family members are better able than others to keep information private if you ask them to. In addition, the information you provide needs to change as the disease changes or affects you in different ways. So it’s a good idea to have a strategy in mind for how to deal with the information needs of the people in your family.
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Getting There: How MS Symptoms affect Mobility and Mobility Options
By: Mandy Rohrig, PT, DPT, MSCS - Physical Therapist and Nurse Practitioner, Kathleen Healey, APRN, PhD
What does mobility mean to you? Walking through the grocery store, completing a toilet transfer independently, or maybe using a scooter to get to and from your grandchild’s soccer game, because the grass on the soccer fields are unforgiving and certainly a trip hazard. What mobility means to you is simply “getting there” – getting where you want to go and participating in activities you want to do in order to bring meaning, purpose, and fulfillment to your life.
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Managing Moods: An O.T. Perspective
By: Stephanie Nolan, OTR/L – Occupational Therapist
Mood changes are very common in people with MS and there are several healthcare team members that can help you manage these symptoms so you can live your best life. An occupational therapist (PT) can offer strategies to adapt your environment and lifestyle to conserve energy, which can impact your mood.
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Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis: Unique Features and Considerations
By: Anusha Yeshokumar, MD and James Sumowski, PhD
Pediatric-Onset MS is defined as having an onset of MS symptoms prior to the age of 18 years. MS, which affects about 2.5 million people worldwide, is the most common cause of non-traumatic neurologic disability in young adults. It is estimated that there are about 2,000-4,000 cases of pediatric-onset MS worldwide, however, about 10% of people with MS recall in hindsight that their first symptoms starting prior to the age of 18 years.
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Progression Planning: Managing the Common Challenges of Progressive MS
By: Mandy Rohrig, PT, DPT, MSCS and Megan Weigel, DNP, ARNP-C, MSCN
Living with MS can be daunting, especially when you are worrying about or dealing with disease progression. Progression can seem less overwhelming when you have a plan. Developing problem solving strategies and solutions to manage common physical, cognitive, and medical challenges that happen with disease progression can help dispel worries.
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