The MonSter known as multiple sclerosis does not play fair. Nope, not at
all. He likes to strike hardest when we feel the lowest. Like when we are sick
with a cold, the flu, or even food poisoning. He fires fiercely at us when we
are overtired, overworked, overwrought, or overdone.
When MSers are sick and tired, look out! Here come those nasty MS
symptoms. Vertigo, numbness, vision loss, balance problems, coordination
issues, nagging pains, brain fog, and other hallmarks of MS are likely to hit us again.
They may not be all-out MS exacerbations, marked by new central nervous
system lesions. But those unpleasant MS symptoms definitely make themselves
known at such times.
Our bodies are stressed when we are sick. And stress (of any kind) tends to trigger MS symptoms. And it starts a nasty cycle. When we don’t feel well, we don’t exercise. We don’t eat well or sleep well or cope with daily concerns well. So we feel even worse.
As if that’s not enough, non-MSers may be simply unable to grasp how a common cold or short-term flu can sideline someone for days on end.
Our bodies are stressed when we are sick. And stress (of any kind) tends to trigger MS symptoms. And it starts a nasty cycle. When we don’t feel well, we don’t exercise. We don’t eat well or sleep well or cope with daily concerns well. So we feel even worse.
As if that’s not enough, non-MSers may be simply unable to grasp how a common cold or short-term flu can sideline someone for days on end.
Put on those bulletproof vests, MS warriors. Cold and flu season is already upon
us.
Image/s:
Adapted by this user from vintage/public
domain image
You are invited to join the Kicking
MS to the Curb page on Facebook and the Making the
Most of MS board on Pinterest.
