Why do ms

Other studies have shown that obesity in early adulthood may also contribute to an increased risk of developing MS.

Also, obesity may contribute to inflammation and more MS activity in those already diagnosed with MS. Many viruses and bacteria — including measles, canine distemper, human herpes virus-6, Epstein-Barr virus EBV , and Chlamydia pneumonia — have been or are being investigated to determine if they are involved in the development of MS.

EBV, the virus that causes mononucleosis, has received significant attention in recent years. A growing number of research findings indicate that previous infection with EBV contributes to the risk of developing MS. MS is not an inherited disease, meaning it is not a disease that is passed down from generation to generation. However, in MS there is genetic risk that may be inherited. In the general population, the risk of developing MS is about 1 in - In identical twins, if one twin has MS the risk that the other twin will develop MS is about 1 in 4.

The risk of developing MS is also increased when other first degree relative parents, siblings and children have MS, but far less than in identical twins. About genes have been identified that each contribute a small amount to the overall risk of developing MS.

Research is ongoing to better understand genetic risk and other factors that contribute to the development of MS. Many people with MS ask if their disease was caused by a virus or other infectious agent. Much research has focused on trying to answer this question. Check out these additional tips for eating an MS-friendly diet. The exact cause of MS is still unknown.

However, there are several risk factors for developing MS. If you have mobility issues, falling may put you at an increased risk for bone fractures. Having other conditions, such as arthritis and osteoporosis , can complicate matters.

Mobility issues can lead to a lack of physical activity, which can cause other health problems. Fatigue and mobility issues may also have an effect on sexual function.

Discover more effects of MS. In a study, however, the Society estimated that around 1 million Americans have MS. Check out more MS facts and statistics here. You should focus on communicating your concerns with your doctor, learning all you can about MS, and discovering what makes you feel your best. Many people with MS even choose to share their challenges and coping strategies through in-person or online support groups.

Download it for iPhone or Android. Read this article in Spanish. Neurologist Barbara S. Giesser, MD, explains how multiple sclerosis affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve. She also looks at the cognitive…. Ardra Shephard has lived with multiple sclerosis for 17 years. While she has a handle on managing it now, her first-year post-diagnosis was difficult….

This imaging test allows doctors to see MS lesions in your central…. Learning how your MS symptoms might impact your daily life and how to approach treatment can help you adjust to your diagnosis and your new normal. Healthline spoke with medical professionals and people with MS to put together all the information people who are newly diagnosed need to know. Rania was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at At first, she kept quiet about her diagnosis as she navigated her new way of living.

Now, she…. Although there's no cure for multiple sclerosis MS , you shouldn't let treatment take a back seat. Learn why you should take control of your MS and…. What does MS look like? Scientists do not really know what causes MS, but risk factors include:. Genetic factors: Susceptibility may pass down in the genes, but scientists believe an environmental trigger is also necessary for MS to develop, even in people with specific genetic features.

Smoking: People who smoke appear to be more likely to develop MS. They also tend to have more lesions and brain shrinkage than non-smokers. Other viruses that may play a role include human herpes virus type 6 HHV6 and mycoplasma pneumonia. Vitamin D deficiency: MS is more common among people who have less exposure to bright sunlight, which is necessary for the body to create vitamin D.

Some experts think that low levels of vitamin D may affect the way the immune system works. Vitamin B12 deficiency: The body uses vitamin B when it produces myelin. A lack of this vitamin may increase the risk of neurological diseases such as MS. Previous theories have included exposure to canine distemper, physical trauma, or aspartame, an artificial sweetener, but there is no evidence to support these. How does MS affect women? Click here to find out more. No single test can confirm a diagnosis, so a doctor will use several strategies when deciding whether a person meets the criteria for a diagnosis.

If the doctor diagnoses MS, they will need to identify what type it is and whether it is active or not. The person may need more tests in the future to check for further changes. Learn more here about the tests for diagnosing MS. There is no cure for MS, but treatment is available that can slow the progression of the disease, reduce the number and severity of relapses, and relieve symptoms.

Some people also use complementary and alternative therapies, but research does not always confirm the usefulness of these.

These work by changing the way the immune system functions. A doctor may give some of these by mouth, by injection, or as an infusion. How often the person needs to take them and whether they can do this at home will depend on the drug. The following DMTs currently have approval :. Current guidelines recommend a person begin using these drugs when in the early stages of MS, as there is a good chance that they can slow the progression of MS, especially if the person takes them when symptoms are not yet severe.

Some drugs are more useful at specific stages. For example, a doctor may prescribe mitoxantrone at a later, more severe stage of MS. A doctor will monitor how well a drug is working, as there may be adverse effects and the same drugs do not suit everyone. New drug options coming onto the market are proving to be safer and more effective than some existing ones. Adverse effects of immunosuppressant drugs include a higher risk of infections. Some medications may also harm the liver.

If a person notices adverse effects or if their symptoms get worse, they should seek medical advice. Other drugs are useful when a person experiences a worsening of symptoms during a flare. They will not need these drugs all the time. These medications include corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. They can treat an acute flare-up of symptoms in certain types of MS. Examples include Solu-Medrol methylprednisolone and Deltasone prednisone.

Steroids can have adverse effects if a person uses them too often, and they are not likely to provide any long-term benefit. Behavioral changes: If a person has vision problems, a doctor may recommend they rest their eyes from time to time or limit screen time.

A person with MS may need to learn to rest when fatigue sets in and to pace themselves so they can complete activities. Problems with mobility and balance: Physical therapy and walking devices, such as a cane, may help. The drug dalfampridine Ampyra may also prove useful.

Exactly why someone develops multiple sclerosis MS isn't known. It's not caused by anything you have done and it's not clear whether it can be prevented.

MS is an autoimmune condition, which means your immune system mistakes part of your body for a foreign substance and attacks it. This is the layer that surrounds your nerves, protecting them and helping electrical signals travel from the brain to the rest of the body.