By Ed Lash
When I became interested in learning more about aging and multiple sclerosis (MS), I wrote to the Information Resource Center of the National MS Society for information and received the following reply, “In general, MS tends to stabilize with age. It has been referred to as ‘burnout’.” A short article sent with their response concerned a study that seemed to confirm that progression due to aging is not inevitable with MS. Since I was already well into my sixties at the time, this was certainly good news to me.
Some symptoms of aging are similar to those with MS, such as increased weakness and fatigue, decreased agility and coordination, vision problems, muscle spasms or spasticity, bladder problems, etc. As reported by the Rocky Mountain MS Center, the changes from aging are emotional, as well as physical. Older adults face big lifestyle adjustments, factors that may affect their attitude and may complicate the adjustment process. The aging process may even complicate MS, especially if a person does not take measures to limit the problems. How?
They say that whether it’s MS or aging, inactivity could be the real enemy and can lead to decreased flexibility, stamina and energy because muscles that are not used regularly can weaken and make things worse. The advice given for aging symptoms is the same as for MS symptoms: eat a well-balanced diet and do moderate aerobic and weight resistance exercise most days of the week. Together with good sleep habits, it can only help to ward off stress and other diseases, as well as provide more energy.
The National MS Society’s Facts & Issues handout, REHAB: It’s an Outlook! states “Not all muscles are affected by the demyelinative process. Some remain intact. But once some motor function is lost, a person tends to cut down on movements. Those healthy secondary muscles can then atrophy from disuse.” It is these muscles that are focused on in physical therapy. As more than one physical therapist has said, some muscle mass and strength can usually be regained no matter what your age or the state of your body’s muscle tone is before you start your exercise program.
Is the need to get up more frequently at night happening to you? Worsening of bladder problems may not be due to MS alone. As an aging adult, you may have bladder shrinkage that comes with age. If so, you can look into simple steps, like avoiding fluids after your evening meal, going easy on alcoholic beverages in the evening and completely avoiding coffee, tea and colas, whether decaffeinated or regular, which act as diuretics. (Decaffeinated usually means most, but not all, of the caffeine is removed.) Also, a high salt intake means that your body needs to get rid of it through more frequent urination.
If none of these thoughts help, it may be wise to see a specialist about your problem. He or she can give you a complete evaluation, perhaps rule out some or all of the various causes mentioned above, and come up with the real answer to your problem.
And to conclude this article, let me quote an old adage in medicine which says:
“Never regret getting older; it’s a privilege denied to many.”
Self-help is not intended to replace medical treatment, but should be used together with the help of all appropriate professionals in a team effort.
Ed Lash is a United Spinal member who lives in Trumbull, Connecticut. This article is adapted from his book, Multiple Sclerosis…A Patient’s View (Vantage Press 2001), which is available by e-mail at edlash.ms.selfhelp@juno.com, or by phone at 203-445-0118.
