quality of life

Regular exercise that follows established guidelines for physical activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) leads to clinically meaningful gains in depression and supports its use as a nonpharmacological treatment for people with MS, a meta-analysis of 12 studies suggests. The meta-analysis, “Effects of meeting exercise guidelines on depression and…

It’s not as though I do well in winter either, but — with apologies to Mr. Shakespeare — now is the summer of my discontent. It’s a shame, because even though autumn is my favorite season, I’d always enjoyed summer. Frozen desserts, vacations, fun activities around the water, and just…

Here in the U.S., today is the last day that someone out there will have all 10 fingers. It’s probably wishful thinking to suggest that it’ll be only one person, but I’m trying to be optimistic. In anticipation of the holiday tomorrow, fireworks sales started picking up about a month…

I have a kilt. It’s just a simple, olive-colored utility kilt, and I don’t wear it because of family or cultural tradition. I wear it because it’s comfortable, looks right with my knee-high compression socks, is nearly perfect for wheelchair use, and quite frankly, makes me look even cooler than…

No one likes being volunteered against their will — especially when the person doing the volunteering uses the word “we.” I’m sure there’s a similar phrase in every language, but in English, a common reply is, “What do you mean ‘we’? Is there a mouse in your pocket?” I’m…

People who develop multiple sclerosis (MS) at a younger age tend to consistently have better physical health but worse mental health than those diagnosed later, a study found. While physical health declined in the long term for all age groups, and mental health increased, the differences between groups were…

My family and I just returned from a vacation to the place I wrote about in my very first column for Multiple Sclerosis News Today, only not to the same house. I can’t make it up and down the stairs there anymore, so my wife found us a wheelchair-accessible…

When presented with a drinking glass containing half the water it can hold, a pessimist would say that it’s half-empty while an optimist would say that the glass is half-full. A realist would probably demand to know who drank half of their water, and an idealist might simply be grateful…

Women with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have a close friend to confide in experience better physical and mental health outcomes than women without this kind of relationship, a study reports. As well as higher rates of depression and anxiety symptoms, women who did not have a confidant had worse…

Non-pharmacological interventions such as mindfulness and exercise may improve sleep for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) while boosting overall psychological well-being and quality of life, according to a meta-analysis of several studies. While the studies were very different from each other, making it difficult to draw reliable conclusions, the…

The balance issues associated with my multiple sclerosis (MS) are clearly visible to others. However, one of my more problematic MS symptoms is largely invisible, especially since I’ve developed strategies to minimize its effect on my functioning. This symptom is cognitive impairment, often referred to as “cognitive fog” or…

A 12-week program based on the Wim Hof method (WHM) — which combines cold exposure, breathing exercises, and mindfulness — was found to significantly ease cognitive fatigue, anxiety, and depression, as well as certain cognitive difficulties, in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in a pilot clinical study. According to…

Last week, something unexpected happened during one of my shared medical visits with patients. I wasn’t expecting shame to show up. We were deep in conversation about how a diagnosis can unravel a person’s identity and how grief often follows when our sense of self begins to slip away.

Intimacy and sexuality among people with multiple sclerosis (MS) will be the focus of this year’s Holistic Health and Wellness Forum for MS, presented by Yoga Moves MS — a U.S. program aiming to improve quality of life for those with neuromuscular conditions — on May 21 in Michigan…

I’m sure the same thing happens in a lot of professions, but combat medics, which I was, often zoom in on the job at hand and lose sight of everything else. I know that when I was treating a casualty, I’d sometimes get in the zone and lose track of…

April showers bring May flowers. However, I do not have a green thumb. No matter how hard I try, I continuously seem to murder my plants. My mom, on the other hand, is an avid gardener. When my plants show signs of distress, I take them to her for remedial…

Natasha Quariab relaxes in her garden in Amman, Jordan, in 2023. (Photos courtesy of Natasha Quariab) Day 29 of 31 This is Natasha Quariab’s story: I woke up and tried to move my right leg. Nothing. My heart pounded. This couldn’t be happening. Not here, alone in a snowy…

Just before a deployment, all the teams in my military unit received a large supply of medical gear that included two medical backpacks, or aid bags. As the team’s medic, I elected not to bring them, because I already had a bag that I liked, and the new ones looked…

Nearly 50% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) report pronounced fatigue, which has a significantly negative effect on their well-being, a new study from Finland has found. In an analysis of data from more than 500 patients from the Finnish MS registry, individuals with self-perceived fatigue were more likely…

Michelle Lesmeister posed for this headshot in February 2025. (Photos courtesy of Michelle Lesmeister) Day 23 of 31 This is Michelle Lesmeister’s story: “You’re the strongest person I know — you will be OK.” Lesmeister takes her dog Barrett for an afternoon walk. Who wants to be just…

Dee Ecklund, riding her Alinker, finishes a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving 2024. (Photos courtesy of Dee Ecklund) Day 18 of 31 This is Dee Ecklund’s story: I am a firm believer everything happens for a reason. Maybe we have some things to learn, teach, or even both. With the…

Yara Essam takes a selfie in a mirror during one of her many gym sessions. (Photos courtesy of Yara Essam) Day 14 of 31 This is Yara Essam’s story: I’d always been fairly healthy as a child — barely getting sick, eating well, and constantly moving my body. That’s…

When I could still drive, I enjoyed the experience. A car or truck was not just for getting from point A to point B. It was also about the thrill of the journey itself, and I wanted to coax as much as possible from the trip. That meant driving high-performance…

Christy Hoffman poses for a picture with her husband Mike, who has MS. (Photos courtesy of Christy Hoffman) Day 13 of 31 This is Christy Hoffman’s story: Anxious. Blessed. Curious. Daring. Excited. Frustrated. Gregarious. Happy. Isolated. Jovial. Kind. Loving. Moody. Numb. Opinionated. Pumped. Quiet. Restless. Strong. Trusting. Underrated. Valiant.

Izzy Abbas loves to go camping, but he also enjoys traveling internationally, Here, he is shown visiting Turkey. (Photos courtesy of Izzy Abbas) Day 11 of 31 This is Izzy Abbas’ story: Camping — being out in the woods and mountains — is something I’ve always loved. Despite all…

Disability progression independent of relapse activity, or PIRA, in the earliest stages of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is associated with worsening quality of life, a study in Sweden shows. PIRA is a form of sustained disability worsening that occurs in the absence of multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses. While…

Edward Radford gives a thumbs-up while running The Great North Run half-marathon in 2024. (Photos courtesy of Edward Radford) Day 8 of 31 This is Edward Radford’s story: People often say F**k MS, like it’s a battle cry. I get it. For a long time, I saw it that…

Amy Behimer sits in a rocking chair in her home. (Photos courtesy of Amy Behimer) Day 7 of 31 This is Amy Behimer’s story: When I was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), I thought my chance at a healthy, happy life was gone. As a pharmacist,…

Anne Rosales is a mother, grandmother, and community volunteer, as well as a certified Aging in Place specialist. She was diagnosed with MS in her mid-50s. (Photos courtesy of Anne Rosales) Day 6 of 31 This is Anne Rosales’ story: My handicap parking placard arrived a few months ago.

Brittany Boudreau attends the MS Dream Center of Rhode Island’s An Evening to Remember gala. (Photos courtesy of Brittany Boudreau) Day 5 of 31 This is Brittany Boudreau’s story: In August 2021, my life was going according to a plan I’ve had since I was 10. However, two days…