‘tis the season for Multiple Sclerosis

What is it with Boston and the seasons of the year?

James Taylor, born in Boston, put them to rhyme

“Winter, spring , summer, or fall,

All you have to do is call”

Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston recently studied the seasons in relation to Multiple Sclerosis.

Participants had MRIs weekly to monthly over the course of a year. The study found that disease activity varied with the seasons.

In the spring and summer months, people with multiple sclerosis are at a two to three times greater risk for disease activity. 

"Our results showed that the appearance of lesions on brain scans was two to three times higher in the months of March to August, compared to other months of the year." Dr Dominik Meier

Seasonal prevalence of MS disease activity 

Besides seasons they also factored in daily weather conditions and found that warmer temperatures and solar radiation were linked to disease activity, while precipitation was ‘no problemo’.

Now trying to share this ‘news’ with Patti on a 90°F (32.2°C) hot and humid summer evening got a big “duh” out of her about the study yet a more spirited conversation over James Taylor music. She enjoys and I, well … (One good thing about pushing a wheelchair is you can make faces while listening to someone talk.)

Caregivingly Yours, Patrick Leer 

web site: http://caregivinglyyours.com/

videos: http://www.youtube.com/daddyleer 

musings: patrick ponders