Living with multiple sclerosis in Nevada means taking heat seriously. Rising core temperature temporarily worsens MS symptoms, and a Las Vegas summer makes that a daily planning problem rather than an occasional one. Cooling, timing and hydration do real work. The reassurance worth holding on to is that heat effects are temporary and do not indicate a relapse or new damage.
Living with multiple sclerosis in Nevada means taking heat seriously. Rising core temperature temporarily worsens MS symptoms, and a Las Vegas summer makes that a daily planning problem rather than an occasional one. Cooling, timing and hydration do real work. The reassurance worth holding on to is that heat effects are temporary and do not indicate a relapse or new damage.
A temporary worsening of symptoms as core body temperature rises is well recognised in MS and known as Uhthoff's phenomenon. Fatigue increases, vision may blur, weakness and coordination worsen. The important reassurance is that this is temporary and does not indicate a relapse or new damage; symptoms return to baseline as you cool. In this climate that distinction matters practically, because otherwise every hot afternoon feels like deterioration.
Shift demanding activity to early morning or evening. Pre-cool before exertion rather than trying to recover afterwards, since cooling in advance is more effective. Cooling vests, neck wraps and cold drinks all help. Hydrate deliberately, because dehydration compounds fatigue and also worsens bladder symptoms by concentrating urine. Park in shade and pre-cool the car. Exercise indoors or in water during summer; pool-based exercise is particularly well suited because the water removes the heat load.
Vitamin D warrants checking despite the sunshine, because heat avoidance means many people here are indoors during daylight and low levels are common. Continue disease-modifying therapy consistently; this practice has no infusion suite, so infusion-based therapies are arranged elsewhere while neurological care continues here. Both CNS offices perform evoked potential studies. Report genuinely new symptoms lasting more than a day rather than assuming heat, since distinguishing a relapse from a heat effect is a clinical judgement.
Clinical Neurology Specialists has been physician-owned since 1998, when Leo Germin, M.D., FAANEM founded it. Five board-certified neurologists and four advanced practice providers see patients at the Las Vegas and Henderson offices, each with its own AANEM-accredited electrodiagnostic laboratory.
Clinical Neurology Specialists is an adult outpatient neurology practice for patients 18 and older. The practice performs no surgery and operates no imaging suite, infusion suite or interventional pain programme, and provides no emergency or inpatient care.
Physician-reviewed. Reviewed by the physicians of Clinical Neurology Specialists — board-certified neurologists, AANEM-accredited electrodiagnostic laboratories, physician-owned since 1998. Reviewed 1 August 2026. This article is general education for adults 18 and older and is not a substitute for a consultation.
Sources and further reading: MedlinePlus: multiple sclerosis; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; American Academy of Neurology.
Adults 18 and older, at the Las Vegas and Henderson offices. Call 702-804-1212 or request an appointment online.