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mrkmyword · 08-01-2010, 01:06 PM

There's a web site I tend to visit once in awhile. Its run by TEVA the company that makes Copaxone and just happens to be an Israeli Company

http://www.mswatch.ca/en/living-with...m_medium=email

Why does heat make MS symptoms worse?

Heat is thought to cause these pseudo-exacerbations because demyelinated nerves have more trouble conducting messages at higher temperatures. That doesn’t mean you need to miss out on summer. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy summer without getting burned by the heat.
Some ideas on staying cool

Beat the heat, don’t shun the sun

There are many ways you can keep your body from overheating and still enjoy the summertime sun.

Enjoy outdoor activities during cooler times of the day, usually early morning or evening, and take a break when needed.

Swim or do aerobics in cool water (recommended temperature 80-84 degrees). Not only will it help you keep cool but swimming and other water activities have a long list of benefits. They can improve your endurance and cardiovascular fitness as well as reduce stress and help you relax. All while helping you survive the summer heat!

Find swimming exercises you can do.

Dress for the weather. Wear wide brimmed hats and light-coloured loose clothing in breathable fabrics such as cotton. If you’re exercising outside, wear cooling garments such as vests, headbands and neckbands – these are used by many athletes to prevent overheating.

Dampen and refrigerate a towel, or freeze a wet T-shirt to put on over your clothes when you’re headed out into the heat.

Cool your core. By keeping your body cool before going outside or exercising can help you beat the heat by increasing the time it takes for your core body temperature to rise. In other words, it gives you longer before you feel the heat. Here are a few ways you can cool you core.

* Drink plenty of fluids; water is an ideal choice. Drinking cool water can help keep you cool.
* It’s important to stay well hydrated. Avoid beverages containing caffeine (like many soft drinks) as this acts as a diuretic.
* Hot weather can dampen your enthusiasm for cooking, let alone for eating a hot meal. Look beyond the popsicle freezer for cool and nutritious foods that won’t cause your blood sugar to spike and possibly contribute to fatigue.
* Freeze your favourite fruit beverage and eat it as a slushy. Try raw vegetables with a hummus dip, fruit with (frozen) yogurt, salads with meat, fish or hard boiled eggs for protein, cold soups, or even smoothies made with your favourite fruit and cold milk or soy beverage. When you do want to cook, consider using the BBQ to avoid heating up the kitchen.
* A cool bath or shower can help reduce core body temperature before and/or after activity or exposure to a hot environment. Start by getting into a bathtub of comfortably lukewarm water, and add cooler water over a period of 20-30 minutes. Submerging the upper body in cool water will maximize the cooling effect.