Developing a Plan for Multiple Sclerosis is Key
Developing a comprehensive plan of care, one that is not limited to multiple sclerosis, is vital. This should be developed together between you and your healthcare providers. The philosophy of working together with one’s healthcare team to determine the best treatment plan is known as “Shared Decision-Making,” and in support of this philosophy, MSAA has developed a series of tools that can assist individuals to proactively manage their healthcare needs and overall wellness.
A comprehensive plan incorporates a number of wellness strategies. General practices that are good for everyone include eating a healthy diet, moderate and consistent exercise (as recommended by one’s physician), ensuring adequate sleep, controlling stress, and promoting good mental and emotional health – often through mind-body exercises such as tai chi, yoga, and mindfulness.
Wellness strategies that are vital to individuals with MS specifically include taking a disease-modifying therapy to slow down disease activity, if recommended by their healthcare team. Other strategies include preparing for and attending to relapses (getting treated for the more severe relapses and reducing activities as needed to cope with mild ones), managing specific MS symptoms through medications and/or lifestyle changes, plus participating in physical, occupational, or speech therapies, as needed.
In addition, such a plan includes management of overall health issues that should not be neglected. People with MS need to continue with regularly scheduled checkups as well as testing and/or imaging for prevention and early detection of other conditions. Most importantly, individuals need to remember that not every symptom is caused by multiple sclerosis. Be sure that your healthcare team (including your primary care physician and/or your neurologist) is advised of any symptoms you are experiencing, all treatments you are receiving, and any other conditions you may have.