Brain Health in MS
Brain Health
MS affects the brain and spinal cord (Central Nervous System). The brain is a very complicated and flexible organ. When learning a new skill, for example learning a language or playing an instrument, the brain will recruit new areas to use for these tasks. In a similar way, if a part of the brain has been damaged by MS, the brain will try to recruit new areas to help perform tasks.
The ability of the brain to adapt and recruit new areas is known as neurological reserve. Research has shown that the brain recruits and adapts to changes caused by MS damage even when no obvious symptoms occur. If all of the brain’s neurological reserve is used up, the brain will find it harder to recruit new areas, and the symptoms of MS will be more noticeable and are likely to progress.
As we get older, it is normal to lose small amounts of brain tissue, this reduces the volume of the brain. This process can happen more quickly in people with MS. Research has shown that making healthy lifestyle choices not only affects the health of your body, but also the health of your brain which supports your brain volume, which in turn helps your neurological reserve. This could be called leading a "Brain Healthy Lifestyle".
There is a consensus group which has written a paper 'MS Brain Health – Time Matters'. This advocates a brain healthy lifestyle for people with MS around the world. The groups’ vision is to create a better future for people with MS and their families.
For more information, please see the links below
The Brain Health Group advocate six ways to lead a brain-healthy lifestyle:
Keep as active as you can
Staying active helps our hearts pump blood around our bodies delivering oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Research suggests that because of this, the brains of people who exercise regularly tend to be healthier, helping brain speed and helping preserve brain volume.
See exercise and activity for more advice.
Keep your weight under control
Evidence shows us that if you are overweight and obese, you may have more lesions (areas of MS damage). If you feel you would like support to lose weight, here is a link to Manage weight With LiveWell Dorset | Learn How To Maintain A Healthy Weight · LiveWell Dorset and see our section on diet.
Keep your mind active
Education, reading, hobbies and artistic or creative pastimes help protect against cognitive problems when done regularly. See section on cognition.
Avoid smoking
Smoking is associated with increased relapse rates, decreased brain volume, more cognitive problems and an increase in disabling symptoms compared to not smoking.
This link takes you to support to quit service in Dorset Stop Smoking With LiveWell Dorset | Help To Quit Smoking In Dorset · LiveWell Dorset
Watch how much you drink
Unsafe levels of alcohol are associated with reduced life expectancy in people with MS. This link takes you to support to drink less Cutting Down On Alcohol With LiveWell Dorset | Free Help To Stop Drinking · LiveWell Dorset
Continue to take prescribed medications
If you have other health conditions, be responsible for monitoring and managing them, including taking prescribed medications. Conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes can worsen the MS disease course.
