For many people with multiple sclerosis, MS heat sensitivity is one of the most puzzling symptoms. A warm day, a hot bath, or even a busy kitchen can suddenly blur vision, drain strength, or slow thought. It’s as if the body’s circuits protest against the rise in temperature — not with pain, but with temporary overload.
MS heat sensitivity happens because damaged nerve fibres conduct electrical signals less efficiently when warmed. Even a small increase in body temperature can slow those signals further, making familiar symptoms — fatigue, weakness, or brain fog — briefly worse. It’s known as Uhthoff’s phenomenon, and while it can be alarming, it usually fades as you cool down.
Managing MS heat sensitivity means planning ahead: using cooling vests or fans, pacing activity, and keeping drinks chilled. It’s about finding balance rather than avoiding life’s warmth altogether.
Heat may dim the edges for a while, but it doesn’t extinguish the light. With awareness and a few clever adjustments, clarity returns — one cool breeze at a time.
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Understand MS heat sensitivity, why warmth worsens symptoms, and simple cooling strategies to keep life comfortable and clear.
