Risks of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

There are several multiple sclerosis risks that are associated with MS:

• Age. The onset of MS usually occurs between 20 and 40 years.
• Sex. Women are more likely to have relapsing-remitting MS.
• Family history. If one of your parents or siblings has had MS, you are at higher risk of developing the disease.
• Certain infections. Epstein-Barr and other viruses have been linked to MS.
• Race. White people, particularly those of Northern European descent, are at the highest risk of developing MS.
• Climate. MS is more common in countries with temperate climates, including Canada, the northern United States, New Zealand, southeastern Australia, and Europe.
• Vitamin D. MS is associated with low vitamin D levels and minimum exposure to sunlight.
• Certain autoimmune diseases. Thyroid disease, pernicious anemia, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and other autoimmune diseases have been linked to MS.
• Smoking. Smokers are more likely to develop a second event that confirms relapsing-remitting MS than nonsmokers.

MS complications that may also develop:

• muscle stiffness or spasms;
• paralysis, typically in the legs;
• issues with bladder, bowel, or sexual function;
• mental changes, such as forgetfulness or mood swings;
• depression;
• epilepsy.

MS symptoms

Movement issues:

• numbness or weakness in one or more limbs that typically occurs on one side of the body at a time;
• electric-shock sensations that occur with certain neck movements, especially bending the neck forward (Lhermitte sign);
• tremor, lack of coordination, or unsteady gait.

Vision problems:

• partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye at a time, often with pain during eye movement;
• prolonged double vision;
• blurry vision.

Multiple sclerosis symptoms may also include:

• slurred speech;
• fatigue;
• dizziness;
• tingling or pain in parts of the body.

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