I have too hot and too cold as well. I’m like Goldilocks…need the temp to be juuuusssssttttt riiiggghhhht lol so you’re not alone on that one
March 30
Why are you now experiencing both heat and cold sensitivity with MS?
It's actually quite common for people with MS to develop sensitivity to both temperature extremes over time. About 29 percent of people with MS experience both heat and cold sensitivity, while 58 percent report heat sensitivity alone and 13 percent Show Full Answer
Why are you now experiencing both heat and cold sensitivity with MS?
It's actually quite common for people with MS to develop sensitivity to both temperature extremes over time. About 29 percent of people with MS experience both heat and cold sensitivity, while 58 percent report heat sensitivity alone and 13 percent experience only cold sensitivity.
The reason this happens relates to how MS affects your nervous system. When your immune system damages the myelin sheath around your nerves, it creates lesions that can affect the hypothalamus—the part of your brain that regulates body temperature. These lesions may slow down or stop the processes that normally help keep your body warm, like shivering.
When you're exposed to colder temperatures, your central nervous system has to work harder to control your body temperature and keep everything functioning properly. This extra effort can worsen your typical MS symptoms.
Cold sensitivity can affect you in several ways:
- Increased fatigue and weakness
- Muscle stiffness, cramping, or spasticity
- Balance difficulties and impaired mobility
- Worsened nerve or muscle pain
- Increased numbness and tingling
The good news is that these cold-related symptoms are usually temporary and improve once you warm up again. If you're noticing new or worsening symptoms, it's important to discuss them with your neurologist so they can help you develop strategies to manage both heat and cold sensitivity throughout the year.
March 27
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