Exercise: A Potential Game Changer for People with MS

If every day feels like a track workout with a hippo on your back, you might understand how some with multiple sclerosis (MS) view their daily struggle with fatigue. New insights suggest that we may just have a fighting chance to shoo away that fatigue! Ready to rumble? Research suggests that exercise and improved physical fitness may come to your rescue!

MS, Fatigue, and Why Exercise Matters

MS can sometimes make you feel like you’re juggling a sizzling pan with oven mitts of sandpaper. A common type of MS, relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), serves up new symptoms spell, or relapses, followed by calming remission periods. Unfortunately, fatigue tags along like an uninvited guest.

In a recent study, patients scoring low (0 to 2.5) on the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) reported higher levels of fatigue compared to healthy participants. On a brighter note, their fatigue levels were lower than those with higher disability (EDSS of 3 to 5.5). This intriguing result pointed towards a vigorous tango between fatigue, disability, and physical activity. In other words, sprucing up your physical activity and athletic prowess might just land you a punch at fatigue!

Exercise as a Tonic for MS

None of us would say no to a magic potion that could blow away fatigue, right? While we are short of wizards in this muggle world, exercise might just be that potion for people living with MS! Light up those sneakers, folks!

Our bodies are amazing machines, with each push, pull, and jump acting as fuel to keep the engine roaring. As it turns out, getting into better physical shape might be the key to combat the fatigue that plagues those with MS. The recipe is simple, find a form of exercise that works, considering the disability level. It’s all about maintaining functional capacity and, most importantly, reducing fatigue.

Rolling Towards Fiery Future Research

Let’s do a little fist bump to this study, folks. Its magnitude and modern methodology have thrown fresh light on tackling fatigue amongst RRMS patients. But, don’t be pulling down your gym socks just yet! While we’re high on the exercise buzz, Marko Luostarinen, the study’s corresponding author, stresses the need for more in-depth research into patients’ actual disability and physical activity levels.

In conclusion, despite the need for more exploratory research, findings indicate that saying ‘Hi’ to an exercise routine might make it possible to bid ‘Bye’ to fatigue for people with RRMS.

Recapping the Vital Points:

• Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) is a type of MS that presents cycles of relapse and remission, with fatigue emerging as a troublesome symptom.
• Recent research indicates that exercise and physical fitness may potentially help mitigate fatigue in those with RRMS.
• Patients with lower disability scored higher levels of fatigue than healthy participants but lower than those with a higher disability level. It suggests a strong interrelation between fatigue, disability, and physical activity.
• More research needed to explore the actual disability and physical activity levels of patients.
• Improving physical fitness by choosing a suitable exercise routine considering disability level might aid in managing fatigue in RRMS patients.

Source Article: https://www.drugs.com/news/fatigue-can-plague-ms-exercise-may-help-114280.html