Managing Fatigue in MS
Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis is still not completely understood. What is known is that it is different from normal ‘tiredness’ and can be one of the most debilitating and poorly managed symptoms of MS. Although there is no single cure for fatigue, if self-managed correctly it can drastically improve the quality of your life. People often describe fatigue as an overwhelming sense of tiredness, which is not necessarily linked to an increase in physical function. The key to improvements in fatigue is Self Management. We must be completely in tune with our body and prepare, prioritise and plan our days to see improvements in neurogenic fatigue.
There are two types of fatigue and it is imperative that you can differentiate between them as the type of rest required is also dependant on the type of fatigue you are experiencing at the time.
1. Physical Fatigue: Physical fatigue is when your body feels tired. Your mind may feel like it can go on but your body just does not have the energy to do anything further. Maybe your legs even start to give way, or you are not able to finish unloading the dishwasher. This type of fatigue is also described as motor fatigue. Co-ordination can also suffer from motor fatigue and speech might begin to slur.
2. Cognitive Fatigue: Cognitive fatigue might also be described as ‘brain fog’ it becomes increasingly difficult to follow a though plan, you may struggle to find the right word to use and concentration can also be reduced. Cognitive fatigue is usually related to an overwhelming desire to close your eyes and sleep
Scheduling Rests: Scheduled rests can be a fundamental part of fatigue management for some people. Resting does not necessarily mean sleep, it may also mean quiet time and/or meditation. The important thing to remember is the type of rest you need is dependent on the type of fatigue you are experiencing!
Physical Fatigue: resting should incorporate reading a book, solving a puzzle or maybe even listening to music- anything that does not require you to use your muscles and expend energy. On hot days, it is appropriate to cool yourself down with a cool towel, which should also help fatigue levels
Cognitive Fatigue: it is imperative that your resting periods do not include electronics, reading or TV. This is not giving your mind a rest. People who suffer from cognitive fatigue respond much better from relaxation and meditation time where they can give their mind a rest. Something as simple as taking 10minutes to sit in the car and work on relaxation breathing before rushing off to complete your next task can make a huge difference to your fatigue levels.
