Multiple Sclerosis
Cooling for Multiple Sclerosis
We understand MS heat intolerant conditions, and we know our products can often help improve quality of life.
Many people living with MS and other medical conditions can experience heat intolerance. This can occur during the warmer summer months, after exercise or even while cooking in a hot kitchen!
Each person's MS and heat intolerance condition is unique and there is no "one size fits" all choice for body cooling.
Dr. Daniel Kantor, MD, Past President of the Florida Society of Neurology, discussing heat sensitivity and MS
A rise in temperature does not affect everyone with multiple sclerosis, but for many people with MS at least some of their symptoms get worse when they get hotter. This temperature effect is sometimes described as Uhthoff's phenomenon, after Dr. Wilhelm Uhthoff, who first described it in 1890. The worsening of symptoms due to heat is widely recognized and very common. Studies have shown that nerves with damaged myelin are sensitive to changes in temperatures. Researchers note that a rise in temperature may cause a failure in the effective transmission of signals from the brain to the body (nerve conduction), and a reduction in temperature may allow more signals to be transmitted across the damaged nerve.
Symptoms may include: blurred vision after exercise, fatigue, dizziness or a weakness in one or both legs. Prolonged exposure to heat might make fatigue worse, which might in turn make other symptoms feel worse. Although this temporary worsening of symptoms (known as pseudo-exacerbation) may feel like a real MS attack, the symptoms will usually improve as the body temperature returns to normal.
Heat or exercise related symptoms may be brought on by activity, sunbathing, hot baths, emotion, exercise, fever or other things associated with an increase in body temperature. Many people with MS find hot weather difficult, but even in cooler weather, hot showers, or even daily activities like cooking in the kitchen or using a hair dryer can sometimes be a problem.
MS non-profit organizations with an extensive Body Cooling Program that can help
MSAA Cooling Program
Do you need financial assistance with a cooling vest? Apply for the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America Cooling Program!
MSF Cooling Program
Do you need financial assistance with a cooling vest? Apply for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Cooling Program! The MSF Cooling Program Cycle begins on February 1st and continues through June 1st
Why does temperature affect people with MS?
Heat appears to stop nerve fibers from working properly " if the fibers or their protective outer layer (myelin) have already been damaged by MS. Nerve fibers allow messages controlling different parts of the body to move around the brain and spinal cord, in the form of electrical impulses. This is known as "nerve conduction". In the brain or spinal cord, a nerve damaged by MS finds it harder to conduct these electrical impulses. Messages may get through at normal temperatures, but they are on the verge of failure. Body warming makes conduction weaker still, so some damaged nerve fibers stop working entirely, until they are cooled down. Listen to your body and take measures to cool down if you are feeling overheated.
What can be done to manage heat sensitivity?
Studies have shown that cooling the body can help lessen the negative effects of heat and improve the quality of life of people with MS.
According to a 2010 research study, Dr. George Kraft found that "...after body temperature had dropped about one degree... participants improved on tests of coordination, balance, and in the ability to sustain physical activity. We concluded that cooling is an appropriate therapy for people with MS heat sensitivity."
(Kraft, George. "Rehab News: Beat the Heat!" Momentum 3.4 (2010).www.nationalmssociety.org/magazine. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Web. July-Aug. 2010.)"Cooling therapy is generally well-tolerated, and limited research studies have shown possible benefits for some MS-associated symptoms. The symptoms that may improve from cooling include weakness, spasticity, tremor, incoordination, walking difficulties, fatigue, visual difficulties, speech disorders, cognitive difficulty, urinary difficulties, and sexual difficulties."(Bowling AC. Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Multiple Sclerosis. New York: Demos, 2007, pp. 76-79).
Our MS Mission
We are the leading provider of effective, high-quality and affordable body cooling products for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) throughout the global MS community.
We do this by:
- Being easy to work with and accommodating to our customers
- Standing behind our products unconditionally
- Emphasizing cooling education to all MS community stakeholders
- Listening to feedback, preferences, and suggestions from our customers, MS health providers, and MS non-profit organizations
- Providing MS clinics and organizations with educational materials and products for demonstrations and research studies
- Being a leading supplier to all national MS non-profit cooling programs
- Offering a diverse line of cooling products to meet every need and improve the quality of life for people with MS
Are you a non-profit?
Polar has special programs to assist your work with medical conditions that result in heat intolerance.
product families especially popular in aiding with heat intolerance
Cooling Pack Vests Using Reusable Cooling Packs
The #1 Choice for MS Cooling! Reusable Cooling Packs provide a high level of cooling in any environment for up to 3-4 hours.
Cooling Accessories
Lightweight cooling accessories target the neck, wrist, ankles, head and more! Sometimes you just need a quick cool down!
Cool Comfort® Evaporative Hybrid Vests and Accessories
Submerge in water to activate cooling. Gain additional cooling by chilling or freezing the garment. Offers natural evaporative cooling in low humidity. Ideal for exercise and activity.
Save money when you purchase a cooling kit!
We've packaged our most popular products into discounted kits which include an extra set of cooling packs. Products can be used separately as needed or together for maximum cooling benefits for the treatment of heat stress due to the effects of multiple sclerosis symptoms and other heat intolerant conditions.
Cooling Technology for Multiple Sclerosis
with Dr. Daniel Kantor
We have Solutions for Cooling Every Body®
There are many different types of cooling products available, and the best one for you depends on you, your environment, and your individual needs.
We offer every different cooling technology, and we are happy to help you decide which is best for you. Click below to compare, and please call our customer service at 1-800-763-8423 if you have any questions!