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  • DISCUSSION: Heat sensitivity and exercise

    Heat sensitivity and exercise

    Andrea T White

    University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Andrea T. White, Research Associate Professor, University of Utah, 250 S. 1850 E, Rm 241, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.

    Thermal sensitivity in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been reported as early as 1824 by Charles Prosper Ollivier d’Angers, who observed that a hot bath induced leg numbness and reduced feeling and dexterity in the hands of a patient with MS.1 However, Wilhelm Uhthoff’s 1890 report, in which exercise-induced amblyopia was observed in four patients with MS, is often cited as the earliest observation of heating reactions in MS, referred to as “Uhthoff’s symptom.”2 Since then, heating reactions in MS have been reported in dozens of studies [for a review, see Guthrie and Nelson3]. Further, work in the mid-20th century demonstrated that MS symptom exacerbation was proportional to the degree of temperature elevation, with initial neurological signs appearing after 8 minutes of heating, when body temperature increased by 0.8°C, and maximal signs appearing at temperatures 1.7°C above normal.4 Symptoms resolved an average of 15 minutes after heating ended.4

    In this issue of the Multiple Sclerosis Journal, a paper by Skjerbaek et al. demonstrates that heat-related symptom increases in MS are significantly greater following 30 minutes of endurance exercise (EE) compared to a 30-minute session of resistance exercise (RE), results that are consistent with the above-cited work. The purpose of this editorial is to underscore the idea that the inherent difference in EE and RE with respect to heat stress is metabolic heat production, and the selection of one exercise mode over another should be based on fitness and/or rehabilitation goals.

    http://msj.sagepub.com/content/19/7/833.full

    Dave Bexfield
    ActiveMSers

  • #2
    I also recently read that many MSers avoid exercise because of the temporary worsening symptoms. If it makes it hard (or even impossible) to walk safely without aid after exertion, folks frequently don't bother to work out. The reason? Often they don't want to be seen as "disabled." Use your cane, your forearm crutches, your walker, your wheelchair, your scooter, your whatever. Your symptoms will soon calm—I let my temps get back to normal during my 15-minute stretching post work out—and then you can go about your merry way.
    Dave Bexfield
    ActiveMSers

    Comment


    • #3
      Dave,
      If,
      30 minutes of Endurance Exercise (EE) produces 248 Kcal of Metabolic heat,
      while
      30 minutes of Resistance Exercise (RE) produces 96 Kcal of Metabolic heat,
      I don't see how it follows that,
      "(the) inherent difference in EE and RE with respect to heat stress is metabolic heat production."

      On the contrary, it appears that the inherent difference is the amount of work performed in 30 minutes of EE vs. RE. Or, put another way, about 12 minutes of EE appears to equal 30 minutes of RE in terms of work performed and Metabolic heat produced. I do agree with the conclusion though, that
      "the selection of one exercise mode over another should be based on fitness and/or rehabilitation goals", and I would add, ability.

      In terms of cooling after whatever workout one chooses, I know one MSer who swears by cold milk. Low fat cold milk, with a little chocolate added, is a good, post workout drink. It contains carbohydrate to replace energy, protein for muscle repair and may be more effective for cooling core temperature than an equivalent amount of equally cold water.

      I'd be interested to know to what degree people with MS are able to acclimate to heat? In my experience, although it is a very, very uncomfortable procedure, it can be done.

      AMF

      ps: It will be a huge issue up here today. It's currently snowing like mad. Forecasters are predicting 18 inches. I wonder how many Kcal shoveling 18 inches of snow will produce in 30 minutes? Actually, considering the temperature and wind velocity outside, I may need HOT chocolate milk to recover.
      Last edited by AMFADVENTURES; 03-09-2013, 01:22 PM.

      Comment


      • #4
        What about exercise on the front of big fan!
        It should add a parameter to the formula.
        With 50 to 70 degres out door temperature I can ride my bike for several hours without feeling really hot.
        I also know of a MSer that take cold shower after his ride !! I do it sometimes and it is not fun but feel good after!
        Alain

        Comment


        • #5
          Actually my brother and I were chatting about this the other day. His suggestion: Get a recumbent bike, one that sits close to the floor. Set in the middle of my living room, in front of the tv, with my yoga mat laid out next to it. Sweat it out for 30 mins or so, roll out of the bike onto the yoga mat, and chill there (while stretching and drinking your water) until you cool down enough to be safely mobile.

          Comment


          • #6
            AZgal, that's a brilliant solution! Except for one minor detail that one does not want to discover the hard way: When you really have to go, and you have no way to transport yourself to the potty! That's one of the reasons I recommend a walker for exercise, even if you use it no other time. Don't look at it as a sign of disability, and call it a mobile rolling device or MRD for short.
            Dave Bexfield
            ActiveMSers

            Comment


            • #7
              Heat Insensitivity and Exercise

              We know that heat even when created by exercise makes our symptoms worse. One thing a lot of people do not do is pre-cooling the body especially the core before exercise. Studies have shown that cooling the core before exercise increases exercise performance and tolerance as well as recovery times. There are several ways to pre-cool your body: (1) cold vest, (2) wet and cold ice towels, (3) ice massage, and (4) wetting the body and sitting in front of a fan. The key here is not to cool the entire body, only the core (the trunk). Hope this helps.

              Comment


              • #8
                Good point.I have had this experience a few times by using an ice vest and by havung freezing cold baths. My timed walk is always much faster.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Smart tips, Dad. Pre-cooling is smart, smart, and often overlooked. You can also park it in front of your home or car A/C and drink icy cold drinks.
                  Dave Bexfield
                  ActiveMSers

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I do get the jello legs after exercise, but what is most disturbing to me is my vision going fuzzy. I usually just keep going and the fuzziness goes away after 15-20 minutes.

                    It made me feel unsafe on my bike, and I am still trying to decide what the way to go for me is. Trike, tandem. riding my heavier hybrid much slower, or not biking at all.

                    Its less of an issue running, I still the fuzziness but I am closer to the ground.

                    I think I will give pre-cooling a go and see if it can make a difference for me, thanks for the tip!

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Vision going fuzzy is often related to overheating and so are jello legs. Is there any way you could rest and cool down after-pour some cold water over you and get in front of a fan before you head off on your bike.

                      On the pre-cooling-in the summer, before going to the beach, on a hot day, I have a cold bath, put on my ice vest, drive to the beach with the A/C blasting, pour a bottle of cold water over me, and then I'm able to climb over the dunes and a long walk across the hot beach to the water. Otherwise, I melt. Literally. And have to be dragged to the water.

                      Teena Marie

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Thanks for the suggestions, the blurriness and Jello legs drive me nuts, I have not tried pouring a water bottle over myself, but hey anything is worth a try!!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Question: does everyone with MS have heat sensitivity to this degree? The reason I wonder is because I still have a hard time understanding/believing that I just got MS on November 8th, all of the sudden. Last summer was our hottest on record, temps over 100 many days, no rain, high humidity and I was still able to be outside as much as everyone else I am around. I'm typically freezing, HATE running central air, love heat, love summer. If I have sensitivity to the degree some have mentioned, that will be the biggest thing MS has taken from me! It's bad enough that the shots have made wearing shorts pretty much unthinkable in public...
                          I haven't tried a hot tub yet because I am afraid but I do take baths on occasion and warm showers.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by HETA78 View Post
                            Question: does everyone with MS have heat sensitivity to this degree? The reason I wonder is because I still have a hard time understanding/believing that I just got MS on November 8th, all of the sudden. Last summer was our hottest on record, temps over 100 many days, no rain, high humidity and I was still able to be outside as much as everyone else I am around. I'm typically freezing, HATE running central air, love heat, love summer. If I have sensitivity to the degree some have mentioned, that will be the biggest thing MS has taken from me! It's bad enough that the shots have made wearing shorts pretty much unthinkable in public...
                            I haven't tried a hot tub yet because I am afraid but I do take baths on occasion and warm showers.
                            Heat sensitivity might be one of the more common symptoms associated with MS but it does NOT follow that just because you have been diagnosed with MS that you will experience any of even the most common symptoms. Frequently, symptoms are a matter of degree anyway, not an absolute on or off.

                            Also, if you do experience some strange symptom, DON'T automatically assume it is MS related. MSers are just as prone to other maladies as anyone.

                            IMHO, there are a number of MS forums around which concentrate on identifying every possible symptom that might or might not be MS related. I find that a very negative approach to dealing with the disease. I like this forum much better because the people here talk about and do things to get past the disease, a much more possitive approach to dealing with this disease for both mind and body.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              How is the precooling experiment going, Marina? When my vision got wonky due to the heat, I just followed my wife on my bike. You could call her my "seeing-eye wife." It worked well and she would just holler when we were clear to pass. Distance vision was sketchy and that can be pretty scary. Frequent breaks and cooling helped me.
                              Dave Bexfield
                              ActiveMSers

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