Risk Factors for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is one of humankind’s most mysterious diseases. No one knows the exact cause and there is no exact treatment. Still multiple sclerosis has the ability to affect nearly 3 million people worldwide and at least 500,000 people in the United States (Boroch). This disease tends to be more common in individuals of northern European descent and women are more than twice as likely to develop multiple sclerosis as men. Of those 3 million people, most of them are between the ages of 20 and 50 years old (Dangond). Even though multiple sclerosis is a mystery disease, scientists are working to determine the exact cause and treatment.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, immune mediated disease of the central nervous system (CNS) (Definition of MS). This disease is estimated to affect more than 400,000 people in the United States alone, and about 2.5 million worldwide. In the United States, about 200 new cases of MS are discovered weekly (Pietrangelo, Anne and Higuera, Valencia) . In a healthy person, an insulation covering called myelin, coats the nerve fibers in the CNS (Article from mom). When one develops MS, the communication between their brain and other parts of his/her body is disrupted as “an abnormal immune-mediated response” attacks the myelin coating that encloses nerve fibers in the CNS. This causes a disturbance in communication between the CNS and

MS is characterized by the destruction of myelin, inflammation in the CNS and the formation of lesions in the CNS.

It is suggested by previous studies that the damage of the myelin sheath in MS involves the activation of inflammatory factors including the CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells, macrophages and microglia cells (Luccinetti et al., 1996; Lassmannet al., 2012). However, whether the immune response triggers the onset of MS, or is a consequence of the disease process is currently not clear. Interestingly, several recent studies suggested that the prevalence rate of MS is significantly increased with latitude, which implies that not only the geographical (environmental) differences but racial and ethnic differences may play a role in the worldwide MS distribution (Rosati, 2001; Simpson et al., 2011).

No single test detects MS, which makes it difficult to diagnose. Symptoms can mimic those of a number of other conditions and they can change depending on the area of the central nervous system that

3. Genetics have also been found to be a major contributor and having a first-degree relative such as a parent increases the chances of MS several fold above the general population.

MS(Multiple Sclerosis) is a disease which gradually hardens all tissues and also causes scars. These scars form when the persons immune system's cells go into the central nervous system and cause inflammation to the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. MS is also a non contagious and unpredictable disease. MS is also the most common chronic disease (when it comes to the CNS (Central Nervous System)) with young Australians. Throughout all the states of Australia, Victoria is the State with the most people that have the condition.

Multiple Sclerosis, commonly known as MS is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Scientists have been studying MS since the 19th century. In MS, the body’s immune system produces cells and antibodies that attack myelin in your brain which is essential for the nerves in your brain and spinal cord to conduct electricity to perform its function. The attack on myelin results in vison loss, paralysis, numbness, muscle weakness, difficulty walking, stiffness, spasms, and bladder and bowel problems. MS has varying degrees of severity and affects people between the ages of 20-50, mostly women. Although there are treatments, there is no cause and cure yet.

There has not been a specific cause of MS identified, but it has been thought that a wide

Even though MS effects every individual differently and can run its course in a strikingly different manner than that of another, four basic disease courses have been

Multiple Sclerosis is a degenerative disease that effects the Central Nervous System. Approximately 400,000 individuals are living with Multiple Sclerosis in the United States, and 2.5 million worldwide. There are an estimated 10,000 new cases annually, in the United States alone. Various factors including geography, gender, and race are significant risk factors in developing the disease. Diagnosis at early onset of symptoms is beneficial to the treatment of progression and there are numerous medications used to combat the frequency and duration of relapse symptoms caused by Multiple

If you know anyone with Multiple Sclerosis or MS, you would know how terrible the disease is. Multiple Sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which your immune system attacks the nerve cell covers in the brain and spine are damaged. The nerves in the body eventually deteriorate and it is fatal. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the cause of Multiple sclerosis is still unknown. There is not a cure at the moment for Multiple Sclerosis, but there are treatments that can speed recovery when attacked by the disease (Mayo Clinic). Scientists are under the impressions that there are a few factors that may come into play. They say that when they discover the exact cause of Multiple Sclerosis it will be easier to find a way to treat the disease or maybe even stop it from happening at all. (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)

Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that is very painful for both the patient and care giver. In the disease, there is inflammation and neurodegeneration acting at the same time. There is currently no known primary cause of multiple sclerosis. The disease is however characterized by damaged fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and the spinal cord. Myelin is a mixture of proteins and phospholipids that protects many nerve fibers enabling speed at which impulses are conducted. It is pathologically characterized as the presence of glial scars all over in the central nervous system. The disease was discovered by the French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot in 1868 when he examined the brain

There are a great number of studies had been conducted to explain the epidemiology of this multiple sclerosis. Some believes that the distribution of this disease is based on the climatic while other assume that it is related to patterns migration and ancestry. Some also believes that it is related to socioeconomic issues that evade awareness and diagnoses.

Etiology is the cause or set of causes of a disease or condition. The cause of MS is unknown but it is likely that multiple factors are a cause for it. The first cause is immunologic. Multiple Sclerosis is considered an immune-mediated disease meaning the immune system malfunctions and attacks the central nervous system. Researchers know that the myelin sheath is directly affected, but they do not know what triggers the immune system to attack the myelin. The second possible cause is genetic, several genes play a role in MS. The chance of developing MS is slightly higher if a close relative, such as a parent or a sibling has the disease. According to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation if one parent has MS, the risk of their children getting it is estimated to be between two and five percent. Many scientist believe that people with MS are born with a genetic susceptibility to react to certain environmental agents. A third possible cause is environmental. Some scientists believe vitamin D may play a role. Studies show that there has been an increase of MS cases in countries that are located further from the equator; people who