Multiple sclerosis is known to be a disease which is immune mediated (when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues). In case of MS, the malfunctioned immune system destroys the fatty substance coating and protecting the nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord (myelin), exposing the nerve fibers and slowing or blocking communication between the brain, spinal cord and the rest of the body.

There are some risk factors that increase chances of development of MS in some people and not in others. A combination of genetics and environmental factors appears to be responsible.

Other risk factors of MS are:

• Age – usually occurring in around 20 and 40 years of age.
• Sex – women are more than 2 to 3 times as likely as men to get diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS.
• Family history of MS
• Certain infections – Many different types of viruses have been linked to MS including the Epstein-Barr or the human herpesvirus 6 that compromise the immune system.
• Race – People of Asian, African or Native American descent have the lowest risk while White people, particularly those of Northern European descent, are at highest risk of developing MS.
• Climate – more common in countries with temperate climates, including Canada, the northern United States, New Zealand, southeastern Australia and Europe. The birth month may also affect the chances of developing multiple sclerosis, as sun exposure in mother may decrease chances of later development of multiple sclerosis in those children.
• Low Vitamin D levels
• Genetic
• Obesity – especially female childhood and adolescent obesity.
• Certain autoimmune diseases – Risk is slightly higher in presence of other autoimmune disorders such as thyroid disease, pernicious anemia, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.
• Smoking