It's considered an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. In the case of MS , this immune system malfunction destroys the fatty substance that coats and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord myelin.
Myelin can be compared to the insulation coating on electrical wires. When the protective myelin is damaged and the nerve fiber is exposed, the messages that travel along that nerve fiber may be slowed or blocked.
It isn't clear why MS develops in some people and not others. A combination of genetics and environmental factors appears to be responsible. Multiple sclerosis care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.
This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Multiple sclerosis Open pop-up dialog box Close. Multiple sclerosis In multiple sclerosis, the protective coating on nerve fibers myelin is damaged and may eventually be destroyed.
Myelin damage and the nervous system Open pop-up dialog box Close. Myelin damage and the nervous system In multiple sclerosis, the protective coating on nerve fibers myelin in the central nervous system is damaged. Multiple sclerosis: Can it cause seizures? Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.
Managing depression in MS. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references What is multiple sclerosis? National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Accessed Dec. Daroff RB, et al. Multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. In: Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice. Philadelphia, Pa. Ferri FF. Multiple sclerosis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Olek MJ. Clinical presentation, course, and prognosis of multiple sclerosis in adults. Wingerchuk DM expert opinion. Ciccarelli O. Multiple sclerosis in New therapies and biomarkers. The Lancet.
Keegan BM. Therapeutic decision making in a new drug era in multiple sclerosis. Seminars in Neurology. Goldman L, et al. Smoking may cause lung damage that ultimately makes the central nervous system vulnerable to attack by immune cells.
Smoking also makes it more likely that a person with MS will progress to more serious symptoms and disability. A study has found that there is some evidence that long term exposure to solvents such as those in paints, varnishes and glues could also be a significant risk factor in MS.
An increased prevalence of MS has matched an increase in obesity in the Western World. Some scientists believe that there is a causal link between them. Several studies have shown an increased risk of developing MS if you are obese, particularly if you are obese in childhood or early adulthood.
Researchers have identified a handful of genes associated with obesity that are also associated with MS. This means that if you are genetically likely to become obese, you are also more susceptible to MS. The link between childhood obesity and MS is particularly strong in girls. This may relate to overweight girls tending to go through puberty earlier, and having higher levels of hormones around that time.
Another theory is that excess fatty tissue stimulates inflammation and enhances the likelihood that MS will develop. Fatty tissue also tends to make vitamin D less available in the body, although the effect of obesity on MS risk is not explained solely by vitamin D.
In , a study suggested that the combined effect of exposure to the Epstein Barr virus and low levels of vitamin D could increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis. Researchers studied hospital admissions in England in the seven years up to for people with MS and also people who had had glandular fever. They compared this with data on sunlight in the same period.
A similar study looked at the relationship between having a genetic susceptibility for MS and smoking. This shows that if you have the genetic tendency to acquire MS, smoking makes the risk worse. There is a simular interaction between childhood obesity and EBV infection, and future risk of developing MS. Living effectively with MS means using all the resources available to manage your condition well. Find information on diet, exercise, family and relationships, travelling and more.
The mathematical model in this research article shows how genetic and environmental factors add up to cause MS. Symptoms of MS can be part of other conditions, so it's hard to diagnose quickly. Find out about the different diagnosis tests.
Print this page. Skip to content. Skip to navigation. How is MS diagnosed? Guidance for young people with MS Cabbages and an MS King Call for national neurology plan following largest ever survey of people with neurological conditions Can't take the heat? Challenged myself to walk miles throughout May Christmas cards are here!
But what do the new rules mean for people with MS? Focus on: self-compassion and resilience Focus on: sleep problems in MS Focus on: using orthoses to improve walking difficulties Gabapentin and pregabalin - new rules for prescriptions Good news! How could Brexit affect you, if you have MS? How fundraising for the MS Trust helps me to help my daughter How people react to my MS - Ian's story How to get the most out of virtual appointments I adore 'the Proclaimers' and miles was a fitting tribute to them I would like to say how proud I am of all of them If we could raise money to help other people in need of support for the sake of a few blisters, then we will!
If you are thinking of supporting the MS Trust in these difficult times, we would encourage you to do it! These attacks, particularly if frequent and repeated, can eventually lead to permanent damage to the underlying nerves. It seems likely that it's partly caused by genes you inherit from your parents and partly by outside factors that may trigger the condition.
Further research is needed to understand more about why MS occurs and whether anything can be done to prevent it. Page last reviewed: 20 December Next review due: 20 December What's known so far suggests it's caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. What happens in MS MS is an autoimmune condition, which means your immune system mistakes part of your body for a foreign substance and attacks it.
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