Managing your weight
Both weight loss and weight gain can be a problem for people with MS, but a dietician can help you stay healthy – your doctor can refer you.
Weight loss
If someone is underweight they may become malnourished and weak, which can make MS symptoms like fatigue, muscle weakness or spasms worse.
There are many reasons people with MS might not eat as much as they need, perhaps because symptoms like swallowing, fatigue and tremor can make shopping for, preparing or eating food more difficult. Appetite can also be affected by stress, anxiety and depression, as well as certain drug treatments.
Because early signs of malnutrition, like fatigue and muscle weakness, can also be symptoms of MS, the problem may initially go unnoticed. But your doctor or dietician can help investigate and treat the underlying causes of your weight loss.
Weight gain
Keeping generally fit and healthy can make it easier to cope with the symptoms of MS. But having MS may mean you are less active than you once were, so you might find you put on weight.
Appropriate exercise and a healthy, balanced diet can help you return to your natural weight.
Occasional snacking should be no great cause for concern, but if you are comfort eating a lot and think you may be depressed, discuss this with your doctor as depression can be treated. Find out more.
Some drug treatments, including steroids used for acute relapses, can also cause weight gain.
Practical solutions
Living with MS can mean that regular tasks like shopping and preparing food take longer or need more careful planning. For example, fatigue can make shopping trips tiring, or tremor could make chopping vegetables difficult.
Shopping
There are many grocery delivery services available, including online shopping, which can save a trip round the supermarket or high street, so you can avoid carrying heavy shopping home. A health care ‘assessment of need’ from the social care services (social work in Scotland) department of your local authority could entitle you to help getting your shopping.
Preparing food
An occupational therapist (OT) can suggest energy-saving tips and helpful equipment or adaptations. They can also advise on grants that may be available for adaptations. Social care services (social work in Scotland) can arrange for an OT assessment to see if equipment would be helpful.
See more about adaptations and your home.
