Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Causes
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease, which affects central nervous system comprising of brain and spinal cord. Though the exact cause of multiple sclerosis is not yet known, it is believed it is caused by the damage to the myelin sheath (a fatty substance that surrounds and protects nerve cells of brain and spinal cord). This damage is caused due to abnormal response of immune system.
Normally, the work of the immune system is to protect our body from foreign invaders. But in multiple sclerosis, immune system itself attacks the body.What causes immune system to do this, is not yet known. But there are evidences that say that less exposure to illness in childhood results in an immune system, which is unprepared to fight infection and therefore is more likely to attack the body. This finally may result in multiple sclerosis.
It is believed that some environmental factors, genetic factors and viral infections may be also responsible for causing multiple sclerosis and therefore considered to be main multiple sclerosis causes.
Environmental Factors Causing Multiple Sclerosis
Environmental factors are considered to be one of the leading multiple sclerosis causes. Multiple sclerosis is most commonly found in the people living far away from the equator. This means that decreased exposure to the sun and therefore decreased production of immune system Vitamin D may cause multiple sclerosis. As Vitamin D is an important immune system regulator, its deficiency may cause multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis is most common in the regions of temperate climates like Scandinavia, Scotland and northern United States. Some theory also suggests that exposure to some environmental agent before adolescence may cause multiple sclerosis. For example: If a person moves from higher risk area to the lower risk area, he acquires the risk of new area if the move occurs before adolescence.
Genetic Factors Causing Multiple Sclerosis
Though multiple sclerosis is not a hereditary disease, some studies show that genetic factors may play an important role in making a person susceptible to multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis may be inherited that means it can be passed to children from their parents. If a person has multiple sclerosis his first, second and third degree relatives are at an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis.
In case of identical twins, the chance of developing multiple sclerosis in the second child is about 30 percent if the first child has it. Some studies also suggest that there is something more than a gene that makes a person susceptible to multiple sclerosis or cause multiple sclerosis. A person may be born with a genetic predisposition to react with some environmental agent, which on exposure results in an autoimmune disease, most likely multiple sclerosis.
Viral Infections Causing Multiple Sclerosis
Some studies show that multiple sclerosis is an immune response to a chronic infection most probably with spirochetal bacteria. Some viruses and bacteria are responsible for causing multiple sclerosis. Epstein-Barr virus, which is responsible for causing infectious mononucleosis, may also cause multiple sclerosis. Other viruses like herpes, measles and cold and flu viruses may also cause multiple sclerosis.
Other than these three, other factors like severe stress and excessive smoking may also cause multiple sclerosis