Living Well with MS: How to Improve Cognitive Health

Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes varying problems in patients. Notably, one of its most debilitating effects is impaired cognition. Studies note that half of the people with MS develop cognitive issues at some point. These problems include struggling to articulate words, forgetting tasks or your train of thought, and experiencing significant performance problems at work or school.

Thankfully, there are ways to counter the cognitive disadvantages caused by MS. As the leading authority in neuro rehab in Miami, we rounded up seven tips to help you overcome impaired cognition and live happy despite living with multiple sclerosis. 

#1. Sleep enough at night

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society explains that sleep disturbances can result in daytime drowsiness and aggravate MS symptoms. Hence, getting ample shut-eye during bedtime can significantly impact your MS recovery and rehabilitation journey. If you struggle to get enough restorative sleep due to your symptoms, we strongly suggest doing the following tips: 

• Consult with your MS healthcare provider about your sleeping difficulties
• Resolve the MS symptoms that hinder you from resting at night
• Take into consideration the medications you take and their side effects
• Exploring cognitive behavioral therapy to help with your insomnia

#2. Say yes to brain exercises

Brain exercises make an excellent activity to include in your MS care plan. That’s because these might come in handy in sharpening your verbal memory, attention, and concentration. Additionally, a 2017 study found that brain exercises for at least 12 hours a week can significantly curb the cognitive problems triggered by MS.

There are plenty of brain exercises that you can experiment with. The best part is that you can do them anytime and anywhere because they don’t require specialized tools. Here are some examples of brain exercises that you can try:

• Meditation
• Visualization exercise
• Playing board games or card games
• Solving puzzles (sudoku, crossword puzzle, jigsaw puzzle, etc.)
• Expanding your vocabulary
• Listening to music
• Learning an unfamiliar language
• Dancing

#3. Take on a creative project.

There’s nothing more exciting than trying out a creative project. According to a 2017 case study, art therapy can help MS patients thrive despite their disability and cognitive issues. As it turns out, art therapy can promote positive emotional well-being, improved motor control, and increased self-efficacy.

#4. Improve your diet

Diet and quality sleep help maintain optimal health. Well-balanced meals help combat the emotional and psychological problems associated with MS (depression, stress, anxiety, etc.)

Hence, you might find it helpful to improve your meal plan and incorporate food products that help improve mood and boost brain function. Examples of these food items include chia seeds, salmon, turkey, lentils, and sardines. 

Additionally, you might find it helpful to tap into the MIND diet. MIND stands for Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. It’s a newly developed diet with immense potential in slowing down cognitive decline associated with dementia and multiple sclerosis. The MIND diet consists of leafy greens, whole grains, berries, fish, olive oil, nuts, beans, poultry, and wine. 

#5. Get help from your physician

Seeking medical assistance can help you identify other conditions that may be aggravating your situation. Additionally, this will help you assess the severity of your MS symptoms and determine if you need to switch to a new approach to treating your symptoms. 

Your physician can also refer you to other healthcare professionals like therapists who can help you devise a patient care plan specifically to manage the cognitive impacts of MS.

#6. Surround yourself with a positive support system

Having a group of loving and accepting people you can count on can help you cope better with the mental, psychological and cognitive effects of MS. So, it would be best to create a positive support system consisting of your loved ones, close friends, and even a local MS support group. They can help you navigate the challenges with words of encouragement or personal tips based on their experience. 

Additionally, constant communication and engagement with your support system can help improve your brain’s ability to process emotions and combat the feeling of isolation. 

#7. Seek Neuro Rehabilitation

Taking advantage of neuro rehab in Miami is among the essential steps needed to manage the challenges of an MS diagnosis. Neuro rehabilitation programs consist of exercises and therapy sessions that aim to make things easier for patients struggling with cognitive issues and physical disabilities. It features several thins, including

• Muscle spasticity treatment plan
• Medical management (oral medications, infusion pumps, etc.)
• Physical therapy (exercises, gait training, walking safety, etc.)
• Occupational therapy (Activities of daily living (ADLs), energy conservation, memory exercises, etc.)
• Speech-language therapy sessions (cognitive linguistics, swallowing exercises, problem-solving, etc.)

Get Started with Your MS Care Plan and Neuro Rehab in Miami Today!

Are you ready to take advantage of better multiple sclerosis management? Visit us at iAM ABLE to begin your neuro rehab in Miami. We specialize in developing customized rehabilitation and recovery programs for various conditions that trigger long-term and short-term disabilities. 

We have an esteemed team of fitness professionals and therapists who commit to helping patients overcome the difficulties of living with paralysis. Let us help you move forward with your life through our comprehensive fitness training programs and specialized training and therapy equipment. 

Also, we encourage you to download our exclusive guide to living with paralysis. Our patient guide provides actionable steps to help you embrace your condition and enjoy a content and happy life.

Grab our free e-book 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to THRIVE after Paralysis by clicking the image below.