Most of the time, people welcome hugs. They make us feel safe, loved, and good. However, for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, there’s one kind of hug that isn’t welcome—an “MS Hug.” An MS hug is a symptom of the disease that is uncomfortable and can be painful. When an MS hug strikes your aging relative, knowing what’s happening and what can be done about it can make the symptom less alarming.
What an MS Hug Feels Like
An MS hug feels like a tightening band around the torso. It is sometimes also called “banding” or “girdling.” Like so many symptoms associated with MS, not everyone experiences the MS hug in the same way, or even in the same place. It can affect any part of the torso, from the neck to the waist. Some of the sensations people describe are:
- A burning feeling.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Dull pain.
- Pain that happens on just one side of the body.
- A feeling of pressure.
- Stabbing pain.
- Tickling.
- Tightness.
- Tingling.
- Vibration.
An MS hug is caused by the damage that happens to nerves because of MS. The damaged nerves send incorrect information. Doctors call this dysesthesia, a word that means “abnormal sensation.” However, dysesthesia isn’t the only cause of an MS hug. It can also be caused by spasms occurring in the muscles between the ribs.
Home Treatment
Any new chest pain should be evaluated by a doctor, so if your elderly family member hasn’t been diagnosed with MS hugs, seek medical attention. However, if you know the person is having an MS hug, there are some things you can do at home, such as:
- Use a warm compress to soothe the feeling.
- Tie a scarf around the part of the body that is experiencing the hug. This can help by tricking the brain to feel pressure instead of pain.
- Encourage the senior to rest until the feeling passes.
Getting enough sleep and eating right can help to prevent MS hugs. In addition, engaging in gentle exercises may be preventative. Consider encouraging them to do yoga, swim, walk, or do some stretching exercises each day.
Home care services can help older adults to cope with MS hugs and other symptoms of the disease. Home care services providers can remind them to take their medications to help control symptoms. A home care services provider can also help them to exercise by driving them to yoga classes or the pool or simply by going for a walk with them.
Sources: https://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/ms-hug-how-ease-pain#1
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320146.php
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Westwood MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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