MS has roughly affected 400,000 individuals within the United States in 1975 [1]. Since then, it has been reported that the number of individuals with MS more than doubled in the United States from the 1975 data and has been estimated that 2.3 million people are living with MS worldwide [2]. Currently, there is no known cause for how individuals develop MS; however, there has been statistical evidence showing certain demographics and characteristics can increase one’s chances of being diagnosed with MS. 

The main problem MS patients face is being often home-bound due to the inability to hot weather. Currently, MS patients are constricted during periods of extreme heat. As a consequence of MS patients being exposed to too much heat, they experience nerve pain and muscle weakness [3]. Furthermore, chances of hot flashes and shortness of breath are likely as well. This is linked to how damaged myelinated nerve cells will disperse signals at a slower velocity [4]. As a result, communication issues arise between the brain and the body. 

Presently, methods to lessen the pain of symptoms has been through medication and therapy. However, with medication, there are many side effects that cause many MS patients with milder symptoms to abstain from them [3]. In regards to therapy, it does not target not all of the symptoms faced when patients are exposed to too much heat, such as hot flashes, and shortness of breath [3]. Because of this, there should be a way to relieve the pain MS patients face in extreme temperatures. 

[1] Multiple Sclerosis News Today. (2019). Multiple Sclerosis Statistics – Multiple Sclerosis News Today. [online] Available at: https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/multiple-sclerosis-overview/statistics/ [Accessed 27 Sep. 2019].

[2]Healthline. (2019). Multiple Sclerosis: Facts, Statistics, and You. [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/multiple-sclerosis/facts-statistics-infographic#3 [Accessed 27 Sep. 2019].

[3]familydoctor.org. (n.d.). Multiple Sclerosis – Symptoms and Causes | familydoctor.org. [online] Available at: https://familydoctor.org/condition/multiple-sclerosis/?adfree=true [Accessed 27 Sep. 2019].

[4]Medlineplus.gov. (n.d.). Multiple Sclerosis | MS | MedlinePlus. [online] Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/multiplesclerosis.html [Accessed 27 Sep. 2019].