White people, particularly those of Northern European descent, are at highest risk of developing MS . People of Asian, African or Native American descent have the lowest risk.
Research has demonstrated that MS occurs in most ethnic groups, including African Americans, Asian Americans and Hispanics/Latinx in the U.S., but is most common among white people of northern European descent.
Contents. You may have to adapt your daily life if you're diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), but with the right care and support many people can lead long, active and healthy lives.
While MS is not contagious or hereditary, MS susceptibility is increased if a family member has MS. The average risk of developing MS in the United States is roughly 3.5 in 1,000, or less than half of one percent. For first-degree relatives (such as a child or sibling), the risk increases to three or four percent.
The prevalence of MS in Australia has increased from 103.7 per 100,000 people in 2017 to 131.1 per 100,000 people in 2021. This increase in prevalence is most likely due to changes in exposure to known MS risk factors.
Tim Ferguson. Tim Ferguson is one of Australia's most accomplished comedians. He has battled Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for 30 years, but it won't get in his way! His new live show A Fast Life on Wheels sees this comedy legend rips the lid off his extraordinary life.
But studies which have investigated whether stress causes MS have been mixed. Although the person with MS knows from their experience that their MS symptoms started after or alongside a stressful period of time, there is no direct evidence that stress causes MS — although it might trigger it.
Body Fat and Obesity
Inflammation plays a role in MS, and obesity is linked to inflammation. Mowry says that the rising incidence of MS among women may relate to body fat. Obesity is epidemic in the U.S., with over a third of American adults at a body mass index of 30 or higher.
MS is not directly inherited from parent to child. There's no single gene that causes it. Over 200 genes might affect your chances of getting MS.
How long can MS go undiagnosed? MS is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, but it can go undetected for years. In fact, a 2021 study suggested that many people with MS experience disease symptoms several years before being officially diagnosed with the disease.
Factors that may trigger MS include: Exposure to certain viruses or bacteria: Some research suggests that being exposed to certain infections (such as Epstein-Barr virus) can trigger MS later in life. Where you live: Your environment may play a role in your risk for developing MS.
Disease Course of MS Is Unpredictable
A person with benign MS will have few symptoms or loss of ability after having MS for about 15 years, while most people with MS would be expected to have some degree of disability after that amount of time, particularly if their MS went untreated.
MS can appear at any age but most commonly manifests between the ages of 20 and 40.
MS can have debilitating effects, such as paralysis, blindness, impaired thinking and loss of bladder and bowel control. That's because scar tissue forms around the nerve fibers, preventing them from sending electrical impulses to and from your brain.
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a rare chronic disease that happens when your immune system attacks specific parts of your central nervous system. Experts previously thought this was a rare type of multiple sclerosis (MS) but now recognize it's a separate condition.
MS is most common in temperate regions of the world that are further from the equator. People with certain genetic mutations or autoimmune diseases, as well as those who smoke or are obese, are also more likely to develop the condition.
But no one knows exactly what triggers the immune system to attack the central nervous system. Most experts believe it occurs when a person with a genetic predisposition to MS is exposed to certain environmental conditions, such as a low vitamin D level, smoking, or the Epstein-Barr virus.
Researchers found the strongest association in women who reported sexual abuse. Childhood trauma, including sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, may be linked to an increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) in later life among women.
Multiple sclerosis treatment. There is currently no cure for MS. The goal of treatment is to help you cope with and relieve symptoms, slow the progress of the disease and maintain a good quality of life. This can be done through a combination of medicine and physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
Infectious factors of MS
A growing number of research findings indicate that previous infection with EBV contributes to the risk of developing MS. This does not mean that MS is an infectious disease. MS is not an infectious disease, but latent viruses may play a role in triggering MS symptoms and disease activity.
In fact, many years ago the “hot bath” test was used to diagnose multiple sclerosis. A person suspected of having MS was immersed in a hot tub of water, and the appearance of or worsening neurologic symptoms was taken as evidence the person had MS.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) triggers that worsen symptoms or cause a relapse can include stress, heart disease and smoking.