Medicine
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

How can I Deal with Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Fatigue, especially when combined with a chronic condition such as multiple sclerosis, may decrease your quality of life. There are several ways you may choose to deal with multiple sclerosis fatigue. For example, you may take steps to get extra rest, eat well, and even take vitamins to protect and maintain your overall health. You may also find that organizing your home or work environment; delegating non-priority tasks; and avoiding environmental causes of fatigue may help. Developing better ways to cope with stress may also help you to deal with multiple sclerosis fatigue.

One of the most effective ways to deal with multiple sclerosis fatigue may involve taking better care of your body. This may mean getting a good night’s sleep every night and scheduling naps and short breaks throughout the day. Other self-care steps you can taking include eating a well-balanced diet, which may help to improve your energy levels, and taking a vitamin supplement. Additionally, it may be difficult to feel energetic enough to exercise when you’re dealing with a chronic condition, but doing so may also help you to feel less fatigued.

Someone with multiple sclerosis-related fatigue should try to get more sleep at night.
Someone with multiple sclerosis-related fatigue should try to get more sleep at night.

Organizing your home and place of business may also help you to deal with multiple sclerosis fatigue. If you alter where you store items that you use frequently, you may be able to reduce the amount of time you spend searching for things, decrease your need to reach up high to get critical items, and shorten the distances you’ll need to travel to secure what you need. As such, you may find that better organization helps you to conserve your energy.

A healthy diet can alleviate fatigue caused by multiple sclerosis.
A healthy diet can alleviate fatigue caused by multiple sclerosis.

While multiple sclerosis fatigue may simply be an unfortunate effect of your condition, you may find that it is worsened when you take on too much. To avoid this, you may do well to choose the activities and tasks that are most important to you. These may be the things you continue to do on your own. You may then choose to delegate the rest of your list to others or eliminate them from your to-do list entirely.

Stress often plays a role in multiple sclerosis fatigue.
Stress often plays a role in multiple sclerosis fatigue.

Stress often plays a role in multiple sclerosis fatigue, and reducing it may help you feel more energetic. Finding new ways to cope with stress may help as well. You may find that meditation or counseling, for example, may help with stress reduction. Seeking the support of family, friends, or support group members may prove helpful as well.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Someone with multiple sclerosis-related fatigue should try to get more sleep at night.
      By: karuka
      Someone with multiple sclerosis-related fatigue should try to get more sleep at night.
    • A healthy diet can alleviate fatigue caused by multiple sclerosis.
      By: triskelant
      A healthy diet can alleviate fatigue caused by multiple sclerosis.
    • Stress often plays a role in multiple sclerosis fatigue.
      By: naka
      Stress often plays a role in multiple sclerosis fatigue.
    • A person with multiple sclerosis may experience tremors in the hands and feet that make movement and grip difficult.
      By: Simone van den Berg
      A person with multiple sclerosis may experience tremors in the hands and feet that make movement and grip difficult.
    • Individuals with multiple sclerosis react differently based on the effects, as MS progressively destroys the myelin sheaths encasing nerves in the body.
      By: designua
      Individuals with multiple sclerosis react differently based on the effects, as MS progressively destroys the myelin sheaths encasing nerves in the body.
    • Scheduling naps throughout the day is a good way to deal with fatigue.
      By: Maksim Å meljov
      Scheduling naps throughout the day is a good way to deal with fatigue.