When you live with multiple sclerosis, normal everyday life in the heat is sometimes very far away. Tired and exhausted, every movement is difficult. Many people feel significantly worse at temperatures as low as 20°C. Concentration decreases, extreme exhaustion sets in and exercise or working becomes difficult. Simply mastering everyday life despite the physical strain is often a real challenge. E.COOLINE cooling clothing was developed so that those affected by MS can actively shape their lives themselves, even at high temperatures. For a better quality of life!
E.COOLINE MAKES LIFE EASIER AT HIGH TEMPERATURES
Cooling clothing such as cooling vests offers a simple, quick, and effective way to significantly reduce heat stress on the body and counteract fatigue syndrome (Uhthoff phenomenon).
Even in rooms without air conditioning, a cooling vest offers significant heat protection and ensures greater concentration and performance. Cooling clothing counteracts exhaustion. Those affected and clinical studies confirm the effectiveness of the E.COOLINE cooling vest.
E.COOLINE - A FUTURE WITHOUT HEAT PROBLEMS
Studies in the field of MS at leading clinics in Germany and Austria confirm the positive effects of E.COOLINE: The reactions of those affected are overwhelming, and even the feedback from otherwise rather reserved doctors and therapists is very positive. The reasons for this are the simple and quick activation of the vests with tap water, the low weight, which guarantees high wearing comfort, and the long-lasting effect, which allows for use for hours—even a whole day—without any additional requirements. The vest is simply worn over normal clothing, is available in various sizes, and is easy to care for.
TESTING STUDY ON THE REDUCTION OF FATIQUE SYMPTOMS
The E.COOLINE trial study in southern Germany also showed that the use of climate-neutral cooling waistcoats significantly reduces the symptoms of the Uhthoff phenomenon in multiple sclerosis. The results were unequivocal: even though there have only been a few studies on the effects of cooling products on the quality of life of MS patients, more than 90 % of those affected perceive the cooling effect of E.COOLINE as good to very good and believe that it increases performance and reduces symptoms of exhaustion.
The wearing comfort of the ice vests and their easy and quick handling were rated positively.
Study centres: Fachklinik für Neurologie Dietenbronn GmbH, Schwendi / Asklepios Klinik, Schaufling / Reha-Zentrum Nittenau, Nittenau / Kiliani-Klinik, Bad Windsheim / Marianne-Strauß-Klinik, Berg-Kempfenhausen / Neurological Rehabilitation Centre Bad Wildbad / Neurological University Outpatient Clinic, Ulm / Neurologische Klinik Selzer GmbH & Co. KG, Baiersbronn
COOLING VEST PREVENTS OVERHEAT IN MS
Here, Professor Dr Peter Grieshofer, former head of the neurological clinic Judendorf Strassengel in Graz, explains what measures he recommends to MS sufferers with heat problems.
I have been a neurologist for almost 30 years and deal with multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis has fortunately lost a lot of its problems in recent years, on the one hand due to modern drug therapy and on the other hand due to the possibilities of rehabilitative medicine, with the Judendorf Strassengel Clinic in Austria dealing with this topic in particular. A major problem of multiple sclerosis is the still existing ignorance about the cause of this disease, but also the individual development of the disease in each person.
Another problem is the individual insecurity of those affected with regard to activities in professional and everyday life, in the sense of physical activity, sport and mental performance. Through special individual training programmes, it is now possible for performance and physical fitness to be well maintained in multiple sclerosis.
Especially in the summer months, as well as during physical activity, there can often be a dramatic worsening of physical symptoms, which can also lead to faster exhaustion (“fatigue syndrome”). Both effects have an enormous impact on performance in everyday life and at work, as well as a considerable influence on the quality of life. However, the effects are reversible. This means that the negative symptoms disappear again when the body cools down.
One of the best-known phenomena of multiple sclerosis is the so-called Uthoff phenomenon. “Uthoff phenomenon” in its original sense refers to a temporary deterioration of visual acuity occurring after physical exertion in multiple sclerosis (MS). The phenomenon was first described by the ophthalmologist Wilhelm Uhthoff(1853-1927) in 1890. It is based on a reversible blockage of the conductivity of the pre-damaged optic nerve as a result of an increase in body temperature. Uhthoff’s phenomenon in the broader sense is also the temporary worsening of neurological MS symptoms with an increase in body temperature (e.g. with fever, hot baths or in the sauna). More than 2/3 of MS patients are affected.
To prevent overheating, cool rooms are certainly advantageous, especially in the summer months, but also cool bathrooms, etc. However, many well-meant pieces of advice often cannot be combined with everyday life, so I already thought about possibilities more than 20 years ago. Primarily, the Judendorf Strassengel Clinic and I tried to improve the problem through the possibilities of active cooling. However, the possibility derived from NASA technology proved to be technically complex and too expensive.
For several years now, the Judendorf Clinic has been using the passive cooling waistcoats (E.COOLINE) from the company pervormance. This passive cooling system of the body can primarily prevent overheating and thus prevent the symptoms of the Uhthoff phenomenon. A small series of studies shows this and could be presented at major international congresses.
UHTHOFF PHENOMENON ? THE GERMAN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY RECOMMENDS COOLING WAISTCOATS
A common symptom of multiple sclerosis is the “Uhthoff” phenomenon, which occurs in 60-80% of those affected. This is when the neurological symptoms worsen. The cause is an increase in body temperature due to fever, physical exertion or simply due to an increase in the ambient temperature, e.g. in summer, in hot countries or in warm rooms.
In addition to an often dramatic worsening of the physical symptoms, there can also be a more rapid exhaustion (“fatigue syndrome”). Both factors have an enormous impact on performance in everyday life and at work, as well as a considerable influence on quality of life. However, the effects are reversible. This means that the negative symptoms disappear again as the body cools down. This is what the DMSG German Multiple Sclerosis Society says about cooling clothing and therefore recommends.
"The most important thing is that I regain some of the normality of everyday life".
BETTER THINKING THROUGH COOLING
Cooling clothing not only significantly reduces the symptoms of exhaustion in MS, but can also improve concentration. New American studies by the Kessler Foundation show that this is extremely important, as memory and concentration losses of 70% were measured in heat. This is not just a minor impairment; it makes many things, whether at work, at home, or during sports, almost impossible. With only 30% memory capacity, many otherwise simple tasks become extremely difficult.
Cooling clothing counteracts exhaustion and thus ensures success and enjoyment at work, leisure, and sports, even in heat.
Further information is available for download here.
SPORT ALSO IMPROVES MS-SPECIFIC FATIGUE. BUT WHAT ABOUT HEAT?
FINALLY SPORT AGAIN - WITH E.COOLINE IT'S POSSIBLE
Studies show: Strength and endurance training for MS patients have a positive effect on physical performance, symptoms, and quality of life. But how do people with MS even manage to exercise in hot weather?
Exercise training has significantly positive effects on MS patients with and without limiting symptoms. For example, a study by Alexander Tallner, a sports scientist at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Institute of Sports Science and Sport, found that internet-based training can, among other things, increase muscle strength and improve fatigue in MS patients. The training session lasted only 20 to 30 minutes twice a week.
A study by Dalgas et al. examined the influence of twelve weeks of progressive strength training on MS-specific fatigue, (depressive) mood, and quality of life. The authors report a reduction in fatigue, improved mood, and increased quality of life.
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The problem: About two-thirds of MS patients feel restricted by the Uhthoff phenomenon. An increased body temperature due to exercise and/or high outside temperatures leads to a deterioration in nerve fiber conduction. This temporarily exacerbates existing neurological symptoms.
So what do you do if regular exercise is so important on the one hand, but you don’t feel up to it due to heat problems?
Cooling is the solution here, too. With a cooling vest, people with MS can exercise without exacerbating their neurological symptoms.
Many people with MS conclude: You have to feel fit enough to stay fit through exercise. Cooling clothing is finally possible.
EMPLOYERS ALSO INVEST IN COOLING VESTS
Working with MS- in high temperatures, it is often almost impossible to manage. In order to stay fit in such situations, all that is often needed is individual cooling. That is why employers also invest in cooling clothing. Andreas Gaisser, affected by multiple sclerosis, reports here on his experiences.
Overall, I feel much more comfortable in my skin. Before, I got tired much faster at higher temperatures. The cooling vest improves this heat problem considerably.
I feel much better while wearing it – especially over a longer period of time. My experience shows that temperatures just below 20°C are perfect for me. Anything above that has an extremely negative effect on my performance. Thanks to the cooling waistcoat, I can now stay focused for longer, especially at these high temperatures.
II use the vest mainly at work. As a software developer, I am working in an office with five other colleagues. With all the PCs and other equipment, it can easily get over 25 degrees. With the cooling waistcoat, I don’t have a problem with that any more, even when the air conditioning isn’t running in the summer. Since I’ve had the vest, I’m completely independent of such external circumstances. Even my employer has recognised how well I feel with the vest and has offered to order another one for me at company expense.
When the vest cools me down, no change is noticeable throughout the day. I stay fit much longer and can manage my workload much more effectively.
I get tired much more slowly. Even though I do more mental than physical work at my job, the waistcoat helps to maintain performance much longer throughout the day.
The vest is very easy to use. I go and hold it under the tap for just a moment and it soaks up. Then a quick moment to dry it off. When I put it on, it is briefly cool, then it feels very comfortable.
I usually don’t use the whole amount of water. Then the cooling effect lasts for one and a half days, which is very long. It also helps me in the evening when I go out. In a pub or restaurant there are often temperatures of over 20 degrees.
II can unreservedly recommend the waistcoat to anyone with MS who has a heat problem. I chose this vest because it was so easy to use and I have never regretted my choice. My quality of life has improved extremely. Before, constant performance was always temperature-dependent. As soon as it got warm, my concentration dropped noticeably. In the past, I used to take a shower in such moments – if possible. Now, thanks to E.COOLINE, I can count on my performance at any time. The vest has the same effect as the cold shower used to.
