Multiple Sclerosis Patients and the Summer Heat
Posted on Fri, Sep 16, 2011 @ 09:33 AM
It has long been established that Summer time can be difficult on patients with multiple sclerosis. Many of them are heat sensitive and have worsened symptoms as the summer temperatures climb. Numerous studies suggest multiple sclerosis is more active in the Spring and Summer than it is in the Fall and Winter, producing more new lesions, as evidenced on MRI and more clinical attacks.
The Summer of 2011 was particularly hot in the Midwest and patients at the MS Center at MidAmerica Neuroscience Institute felt that heat. In the 4 week period from July 20th to August 16th, 83 MS patients were seen for 89 appointments with Doug or Dr. Rowe. 15 of those patients were treated with steroids for MS attacks.
Compared to the 4 weeks of the month in February this year when 64 MS patients were seen for 67 appointments and only 9 required steroid treatment for MS attack. That's a 33% higher number of appointments and a 66% increase in number of MS attacks!
With a busy Summer clinic schedule, the Multiple Sclerosis Center staff and all MidAmerica Neuroscience Institute employees were steadfast in scheduling our patients with quick appointments and helping them through this difficult time. Now that Fall has returned and cooler weather is upon us, we are hopeful that things will be better for our MS patients that we are privileged to care for.