MyMSTeam

Why do you experience feeling cold first, then hot and sweaty with MS temperature regulation?

MS affects your body's ability to regulate temperature because nerve damage disrupts the signals between your brain and spinal cord. When MS creates lesions on the myelin sheath (the protective layer around nerve cells), your Show Full Answer

Why do you experience feeling cold first, then hot and sweaty with MS temperature regulation?

MS affects your body's ability to regulate temperature because nerve damage disrupts the signals between your brain and spinal cord. When MS creates lesions on the myelin sheath (the protective layer around nerve cells), your central nervous system has to work harder to control body temperature and keep your body functioning properly.

This can cause your body to send confusing or random signals about temperature, making you feel cold when you're not actually cold, or suddenly overheated even without external temperature changes.

Many people with MS experience both cold and heat sensitivity, sometimes switching between the two. As one MyMSTeam member described: "I can't take real cold or real hot temperatures."

Your body may initially feel cold, triggering your system to try warming up. But because MS affects temperature regulation, your body might overcompensate, leading to overheating and sweating. This "whiplashy" experience of going from freezing to overheated is common with MS.

The key is that your nervous system is struggling to find the right balance, causing these dramatic temperature swings rather than smooth regulation.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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