Find out about why lifestyle matters and the evidence behind it.
The importance of lifestyle factors in promoting health and preventing disease have become increasingly well recognised in recent years with national papers like the NHS Long term Plan [1] and updates to NICE guidance [2] reflecting this. Research has reinforced the role of lifestyle-related risk factors for conditions like dementia [3], heart disease [4] and diabetes [5], and policy now advocates for individuals to support their own health and self-manage their conditions [6] by making positive changes to their movement habits, nutrition, stress management, sleep, and relationships [7] [8] [9].
There is a growing medical appreciation for lifestyle factors as an important part of treatment and management of long term conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS), helping maintain or improve health, reduce comorbidities and optimise treatment [10].
There is a positive message that this aspect of management gives to someone at the point of diagnosis or any time after. That message, that they personally have control over the way they experience their condition, can change their perception and give them hope. This in turn can promote self-management [11], improving their quality of life and reducing the burden on healthcare services [12].
Receive updates from Overcoming MS here and get support from other Healthcare Professionals in the HCPs Supporting MS Lifestyle Circle here.
Watch Dr Jonathan White speak about why he thinks you should recommend Overcoming MS to your patients.
Watch Dr Andrea Stennett explain why healthy lifestyle behaviours matter for people with MS.
