Does heat affect MS?
Many, but not all, people with MS are sensitive to heat. Increases in body temperature make it more difficult for signals to be transmitted along denuded (demyelinated) axons. This may cause nerve signals to fail, leading to increased symptoms. In general, patients’ usual symptoms may increase. In addition, new symptoms that have not been experienced before may also develop. Upon cooling back to a normal temperature, the symptoms return to baseline. People who are sensitive to heat usually know how to avoid situations that increase their temperatures such as fevers, hot weather, hot baths, exercise, etc. If these situations do not increase symptoms, they do not need to be avoided.
