MMC Neurology hosts Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Seminar
Murfreesboro Medical Clinic’s Neurology department was proudto host a free seminar titled, “Living with MS,” on Saturday, April 21st. Thisfirst-time event allowed patients and caregivers to learn from neurology,nutrition and physical therapy experts about how to live their best life with MultipleSclerosis (MS). These experts included Joy Derwenskus, DO,MS from MMC Neurology, Bobbie Marie Gregg, RD, LDN from MMC Weight Loss andWellness Clinic and Emily Vance, PT, DPT, COMT from Results Physiotherapy.
Registered Dietitian, Bobbie Marie Gregg, spoke about theimportance nutrition plays in coping with a chronic illness. Many helpful tipswere shared, including how to prepare nutritious and healthy meals at home. Afew of these tips included: to drink plenty of water, replace salt withhealthier spices that are lower in sodium, and to choose healthy fats and highfiber foods.
When speaking about exercise, Emily Vance emphasized theimportance of tailoring your exercise routine to how you’re feeling in thatmoment. “Think about your abilities, and not what you’re not able to do that day,”Vance said. MS patients are encouraged to listen to their body and be aware ofwhat is helping and what is hurting.
Dr. Joy Derwenskus spoke on the effect that stress can haveon MS patients and caregivers. “A lot of people say when they were firstdiagnosed with MS, it was around the time of a stressful life event,”Derwenskus said. While many times we can’t control the stressful situationsaround us, we can control the way we react to it and let it affect ourperspective. Along with several tips onmanaging stress, she also spoke on the importance of overall wellness in caringfor yourself – both as a caregiver and as a patient. Nutrition, exercise andstress management all work best when combined.
About MultipleSclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disablingdisease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of informationwithin the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms vary from person toperson and range from numbness and tingling, to walking difficulties, fatigue,dizziness, pain, depression, vision loss and paralysis. The progress, severityand specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, butadvances in research and treatment are leading to better understanding andmoving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosedbetween the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women thanmen being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.3 millionworldwide.
The MMC Neurology Department is proud to be one of the twoMS Partners in Care Clinics in Middle Tennessee. For more information about howto connect with the Neurology department at MMC, please visit mmclinic.com, orcall (615) 867-8090 today. Your health is our mission.