9 Tips for managing cognitive problems

Cognitive problems (memory loss, difficulty concentrating on things and slow thinking, etc.) are not a rare symptom for MS patients. Even if they do not get too serious, they can still influence patients' quality of life.

According to our recent poll, 50% of our community members suffer from memory problems due to their MS, the most common cognitive impairement. Difficulties focusing affect more than 15% of the respondents. Other problems are far less represented: less than 10% suffer from slow information processing, and 7,6% - with difficulty learning new things.

Finally, about 12% of our members have not experienced any of the cognitive problems.

We've found a few tips that could help you cope with such impairements and improve your everyday life with MS.

You are more than welcome to leave a comment and to share your own tips based on your experience.

1. Avoid multitasking

To improve your ability to focus on any one task, don’t multitask!

Even when you’re not trying to do two or more things at once, noises or activities around you can distract you from your task, and distraction is an attention-killer.

When you need to concentrate on something, consider wearing earplugs to cut out background noise. If possible, take “mind breaks” in a dark, quiet environment when you need to.

2. Write things down

Make lists and take them with you – People used a variety of systems for list-making, from post-it notes, smartphone applications, and small notebooks that were carried at all times

3. Organize your environment.

We’re not all natural organizers, but having a place for everything and being consistent in where you put things will make it easier to find what you want. Labeling drawers and boxes can help you find things more easily.

4. Use alarms as reminders.

Set a regular alarm clock or the one on you smartphone, or a special alarm for cooking.

5. Relax.

The less stressed you are, the better your focus will be. Try meditating, praying, practicing yoga, petting an animal, or doing relaxation exercises to lower your stress levels. According to the Mayo Clinic, relaxation techniques can reduce fatigue and improve concentration and mood.

6. Get enough sleep.

Getting adequate sleep protects your store of energy. Fatigue brings on cognitive problems, so save your hard thinking for more rested times. Take frequent breaks from mental tasks.

7. Train your brain.

Exercising your mind is an important part of staying healthy with MS, and there’s some evidence, as published in the journal Neural Plasticity in May 2015, that computer-assisted cognitive training programs may help. Engaging in a variety of non-computer mental activities, such as reading, playing Scrabble, or doing arithmetic in your head can also help keep your mind healthy.

8. Try medication.

Ask your doctor for treatments that help improve attention and energy. Learn more about natural remedies that have the same functions.

9. Seek cognitive rehabilitation.

Talk to your doctor about seeing a rehabilitation specialist for an evaluation. Depending on the results, you may be referred for treatment to a neuropsychologist, occupational therapist, or speech language pathologist.

Sources: multiplesclerosis.net, everydayhealth.com

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What do you do to avoid forgetting things and to improve your concentration and attention?

Have you tried any specific medications for this purpose?