Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the myelin sheaths that protect the neurons of the brain and spinal cord are "eaten" away, exposing nerve tissue.
This causes the nerves to malfunction, causing the physical symptoms of difficulty walking and weakened hand grasp that many people are familiar with.
What many people don't know, however, is that multiple sclerosis may also cause cognitive changes.
These include short term memory loss, periods of unclear thinking or "brain fog", and decreased ability to solve problems and make decisions.
A person's ability to organize his or her day and remember important tasks may be affected by these changes.
In addition, the mid-day fatigue that often accompanies multiple sclerosis may magnify the severity of all of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, including cognitive symptoms.
Stress can also magnify these symptoms.
In short, on a really bad day, all of these symptoms, including cognitive changes, have the potential to render a person nearly functionless! The above seems daunting, but if you are experiencing cognitive symptoms from multiple sclerosis, there are steps you can take to adapt your environment so you do not compromise your daily routine.
First, keep a written calendar.
This can be in whatever form you prefer - a calendar hanging on the wall, a book type planner, or an electronic organizer with an alarm reminder.
Whatever the type, make sure to write down your appointments and important dates as soon as you make them.
If you have a hand written type of organizer, check it often to remind yourself of important appointments.
If you have an electronic organizer, set the alarm at an appropriate amount of time before each appointment to remind you that it is coming up.
Have a family member or friend help you with all of this if it is too overwhelming.
Next, make written to-do lists each day of the things you would like to get done.
Once you have written a list, prioritize it by marking the most important task with a number one, the second most important with a number two, and so on.
As you start completing the tasks on the list, start with the tasks in numbered order, crossing them out as you complete them.
If you run out of energy by the time you get to number 5, it's OK - it was lower on the priority list and can be completed tomorrow instead.
Move any tasks that are not crossed out to tomorrow's to-do list.
If they are tasks that need to get done, move them higher on the priority list for the next day.
If you are able to prioritize tasks without numbering them, that's fine, but the numbers can help keep you on track toward getting the important tasks done before your energy runs out.
Again, if this task is overwhelming, have a family member or friend help you.
Finally, give yourself visual reminders throughout your house.
Use self adhesive labels by light switches and doors to give yourself reminders to turn out lights and lock doors.
If you use two bottles that look similar, but one is rubbing alcohol and one is vinegar, label them with different colored tape marked with bold, black print to alert you to the difference.
If you can't remember how to use the remote control for the TV, use small drops of acrylic paint to mark the important buttons.
Again, if you are overwhelmed by the thought of adapting your house, have a family member or friend help you.
If you are finding that you need to make so many adaptations that you just cannot do it, or if you just do not know where to start, an occupational therapist can help you.
Occupational therapists specialize in adapting environments to compensate for the physical and cognitive losses that can occur from multiple sclerosis.
Check with your insurance plan for an occupational therapy provider near you.
If you receive home health services, an occupational therapist may be available to work with you right in your home.
For more information on occupational therapy, visit the American Occupational Therapy Association at http://www.
aota.
org/Consumers.
aspx.
An excellent book that describes the cognitive changes that can be caused by multiple sclerosis is titled Facing the Cognitive Challenges of Multiple Sclerosis by Jeffrey N.
Gingold.
This book takes the reader through the author's personal struggle with multiple sclerosis and the cognitive changes he faces as he battled the disease.
His humorous writing style makes for an entertaining and powerful book that anyone who has anything to do with multiple sclerosis should read.
Visit Amazon.
com to obtain a copy.