Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition where there is progressive damage to the central nervous system. It is a neurological disease where the body accidentally starts damaging nerve cells, making them unable to send signals through the body. This affects movement, speech, cognition, memory, and sensation, leading to muscle weakness, fatigue, vision issues, and coordination problems. Let’s look at the types of MS and various risk factors associated with it.

1. Types of MS

• Clinically isolated syndrome
  This refers to the first episode where demyelination and inflammation in the central nervous system are observed in a patient. It may or may not lead to MS. However, it requires strict observation and care.
• Relapsing remitting MS
  Known as the most common course of the disease, this indicates experiencing symptoms of MS and then a period of complete recovery. This goes back and forth, referred to as active or not active.
• Secondary progressive MS
  Those who are diagnosed with the relapsing-remitting course will usually transition into this type of MS.
• Primary progressive MS
  This is diagnosed as a worsening neurological function with no early relapse or remission observed. It is observed that about 15 percent of the people with MS are diagnosed with this type of MS.

2. Risk factors

• Immune system
  Since it is an immunity-related disease, those with low immunity are considered to be at high risk of developing such an illness. It is also known to be an autoimmune disease which means the body starts attacking its own cells, mistaking them for an invading virus or bacteria. Since the cause for this attack remains undiscovered yet, there is very little to manage it.
• Genetics
  If your parents or sibling suffered from MS, there is a high chance that this illness may be passed on to you. Those with no family history of MS have a 0.1 to 0.3 percent chance of getting it. However, those with a family history have a three percent chance of developing this illness. While this is not a hereditary disease, it is still possible that one of the family’s genes can potentially develop MS in someone else.
• Environment
  Factors like air pollution, exposure to organic solvents, or low sun exposure can develop MS in some individuals. However, according to research, having low vitamin D levels increase the chances of MS development than other environmental factors mentioned. Since vitamin D benefits the healthy functioning of the immune system, its deficiency could very possibly put some people in a high-risk zone.
• Infection
  According to some research, certain infections can lead to a higher risk of developing MS. These include chickenpox, roseola, cytomegalovirus, and human endogenous retroviruses. These illnesses or viruses can lead to some chronic infection in the body, which could affect the immunity that gives way to MS.