Gifts for the MSer

It is almost Christmas, and a new question comes to mind. What do you get for an MSer at Christmas? Teddy bears are nice, but sometimes you might want something more specific.

Here are 10 Great Gift Ideas for MSers.
Happy Shopping!

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, christmasgifts, msgiftchoices

Eat your Fruits and Especially Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables have many benefits for your health, we all know that, but now a Rush University Medical Center study has identified another benefit of eating vegetables.

The 6-year study compared people who eat one serving with those who eat three servings of vegetables. This study found eating more vegetables results in slowing cognitive decline, by about 5 years. Although the study was conducted with participants over 65, but controlled for lifestyle variables such as exercise, age, sex, and race, and concluded vegetables were the deciding factor in stronger cognitive skills.

Vegetables, especially green, leafy ones, are rich in antioxidant compounds like vitamin E, flavonoids and cartenoids. So remember when your mother told you to eat your vegetables? If you eat your vegetables, you would remember.

technorati tags: rushuniversitymedicalcenter, research, healthcare, ms, multiplesclerosis, cognitiveskills, memoryloss, flavonoids, cartenoids, vitamine, downthemspath

International Day of Disabled Persons

This is our day!

The International Day of Disabled Persons, established by the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons increases awareness of disability issues and promotes integration , equal opportunity and participation of disabled persons in society. Sounds good to me.

The theme for 2006 is 'E-Accessibility,' allowing everyone the opportunity to reach their full potential. Read links to the news and learning materials, and other links including the European Social Charter, effectively a civil rights declaration signed in 1961 to encourage securing social rights and trying to improve the standard of living for Europe.

technorati tags: downthemspath, ms, multiplesclerosis, internationaldayofdisabledpersons, worldprogrammeofaction, e-accessibility, europeansocialcharter, equalopportunity

What about T'ai Chi and MS?

Earlier this month, I wrote a post about Yoga and MS. A favorite reader left a comment recommending Tai Chi as well and left a site as reference.

Now I see the MS Foundation agrees.

T'ai Chi translated means "great ultimate energy." The slow meditative movements are designed from martial arts and the natural movements of birds and animals. A small group of older women (average age 71) found regular practice of t'ai chi resulted in significant improvements in lower-extremity strength, balance, and flexibility. The study focused on women, but it works for men too.

There are plenty of recommendations for T'ai Chi, and I need the flexibility. I will try it. What about you?

technorati tags: msfoundation, taichi, t'aichi, yoga, msf, downthemspath, balance, strength, flexibility

Wheelchair Performance Art

There was a time I was a dancer. Not a professional and not an award winner, but a dancer. I liked the way it felt to partner with someone to music. I liked the kicks and turns and plies of performance art. But I lost my balance, an important element in the art of dance, then I lost my ambulation. My shoulders and hands (or at least one hand) could keep a beat, but I lost my dancing.

But wait. The Dancing Queen shows us that it can be done, complete with pictures. She talks about her frustration that she cannot do it like "that other girl," but then she can do it, and she can make the dance her own. Dance is, after all, more than foot patterns and gyrations.

Performance art, just like other aspects of life, can be adapted. Pick a piece and make it your own.

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, WheelchairPerformanceArt, dance,

Hope from Research

Scientists in New York's Downstate and Maimonides Medical Centre have developed a substance that halts MS progression in mice. HALTS MS progression. In mice, but that's a step in the right direction.

The agent is made using a calcium-dependent enzyme called a calpain inhibitor. The researchers found MS was inhibited in the mice whether given orally or by injection. They also said the agent showed promise for both acute and chronic MS. Oral or injection, acute and chronic. This sounds like a research program that offers hope to MSers.

Here is an article in Zeenews.com, and another in EurekAlert identifying the researchers.

Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s may also benefit from this research.

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, research, acutems, chronicms, alzheimers, huntington, parkinsons

Stem Cells -- How Do They Help with MS?

We hear about the possibility that stem cell research could benefit MS, but exactly what does that mean? Would stem cell research pinpoint the cause? Find a cure? Lead to a better treatment?

Here is a study that relates stem cell research with the destruction and repair of myelin. The auto-immune inflammation must be suppressed and growth inhibitors must be blocked before the myelin can regenerate itself.

Now, here's where the stem cells come in. Transplanting stem cells gives the myelin regrowth a jump start. Please realize that this is my interpretation of a medically technical article full of big words like oligodendrocytes that I don't normally use in everyday conversation. But I think that's what it said. First the destruction has to be stopped, then the stem cell transplant can start the repair.

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, msresearch, stemcell, stemcellressearch, myelin

University of Maryland Medical Center

The University of Maryland Medical Center has an informative web site, allowing the reader to enter a topic, such as MS. It lists valuable links, including symptoms common in the early stages, as well as symptoms that show up as time passes, and possible triggers for exacerbations. If you are in the area, you can learn how to become a UMMC patient and select from their list of specializing doctors. If you do not live in Maryland, you may still benefit from browsing their links.

Check other diseases and conditions for an equally comprehensive list of links. I looked at Osteoporosis and found sites I had not seen before.

Good work UMMC!

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, ummc, downthemspath, healthcare, universityofmaryland, medicalcenter, symptoms, osteoporosis

Relax -- Enjoy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving dinner is more than just another meal.

Cooking all day, serving, then cleaning up. Or, you may be coordinating the order. There are guests who don't always leave after dinner. There is family. . . everywhere. Or maybe this year is a quiet meal, shared with a spouse or one friend. Or maybe just you.

Thanksgiving is a danger warning, whether there is too much activity or not enough. Beware.

Remember that stress can exacerbate MS symptoms. Relax, and enjoy.

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, stress, exacerbation, stressmanagement, downthemspath

Advocacy Works

A new Medicare policy restricting the criteria for the mobility device doctors could prescribe has been overturned.

NMSS details how MSers and other advocates helped overturn the unfair policy. Once again physicians can prescribe wheelchairs or scooters based on functional needs instead of relying on an arbitrary test (stand, pivot, transfer) that is not necessarily appropriate.

Great work. Keep it up!

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, medicarepolicy, standpivottransfer, advocacy,