Potential Causes of Multiple Sclerosis


When first diagnosed with MS, one of the questions you may ask yourself is “how did this happen to me?” You may think that you did this right, and that right, so therefore that shouldn’t be happening. But as scientists are discovering, it’s not just one thing that causes the onset of multiple sclerosis, it’s usually a combination of several things.
What are these several things? Glad you asked. Usually the onset of MS is brought on by a combination of genetic factors, environmental factors, infectious factors an immunologic factors, as well as several others. So how do all these things interact to create an environment of autoimmunity? And more specifically, one where our own bodies attack the myelin of our nerves? Let’s dive in and find out.

Genetics

Multiple sclerosis is not a 100% genetically inherited disease, but there is evidence that genes do play a role. When scientists and researchers have looked at patterns within families, they find that an individual that has a first, second or third degree relative who also has MS, they have an increased risk of developing the disease also. It’s also noted that if a sibling has MS, the individual has about a 5% higher risk of developing it as well. There are several genes that are believed to predispose someone to having MS and when an individual has these genes, the first piece of the MS puzzle is put into place.

Environment

The saying that I keep coming back to over and over, “genetics load the gun, environment pulls the trigger“, couldn’t be more true in the case of MS. With the genetic predisposition already in place, certain environmental factors can make our bodies express those genes in certain ways. One major environmental factor that is widely known, is that MS is more prevalent in areas that are farther away from the equator. One possible reason for this as I have discussed in previous posts, is that individuals who live further from the equator are exposed to less Vitamin D than individuals who are living near the equator.
MS “clusters” have also been documented, where the prevalence of MS has been noted to be higher than other places. Clusters have been noted in Faroe Islands; Galion, Ohio; DePue, Illinois; Rochester, New York; El Paso, Texas. Even though nothing has been proven regarding these clusters in terms of causation, it is an interesting place to start looking into possible environmental causes.
A note about environmental factors. It seems as though the age of 15 is important. If an individual lives in an area that seems to increase the risk for MS (like northern locations), but then they move, they will assume the new locations level of risk, if they move before they are 15. If the relocation happens after the age of 15, they will keep their original locations risk factors.

Infections

There are numerous infections, viruses and bacteria that have been investigated as a possible trigger to MS. Obviously viruses and bacteria cause inflammation and potentially the breakdown of myelin as well. Therefore it makes sense that a virus/bacteria/infection could cause MS. The infections that are being investigated for their link to MS are Herpes Virus, Epstein-Barr, Measles, Mumps and Rubella. Researchers are also looking into a common food borne illness as being a trigger as well. Clostridium perfringens is being investigated because of it’s ability to cross the Blood Brain Barrier and kill the myelin producing cells, oligodendrocytes; which are the cells that are affected when lesions are active. More studies are needed in this area, but it is very interesting research.

Other Potential Causes

There are several things that seem to have gained traction as possible causes yet have not be proven (at all). Lyme disease, heavy metals, canine distemper, smoking and gut bacteria are among these. It has been thought that lyme disease and heavy metal toxicity are at the root of MS. These are thought to be causes because they activate the immune system, have similar symptoms and specifically heavy metals can lead to an increase in free radicals.

Canine distemper is thought to be linked to MS due to the higher prevalence of cases when individuals had been exposed to a dog with a distemper like illness several years prior to the onset of their MS. Smoking is another possible activity that poses as a risk factor or has causation. There is contradicting evidence regarding whether or not this is actually a factor, but some research shows that an individual is more likely to have a second attack of MS, following the Clinically Isolated Syndrome, if they are a smoker.

Gut bugs! Read my post from last week to get the scoop on the brand new research regarding the link between gut microbes and MS.

 

It is clear that there are many possible causes of Multiple Sclerosis, however none of which have been completely proven. I believe it is safe to say that it is a combination of many of these things that creates an environment within our bodies that makes it possible for MS to start. It is encouraging to know that researchers are hard at work trying to figure out what the exact cause is so it can be prevented in the future.

 

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I’M ALISSA!

I help women who have also been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis make specific and personalized diet, lifestyle & subconscious changes so that they can begin to heal their body, reduce disease symptoms, and return to a life they love.hey there,

follow along on Instagram:

If we haven’t met yet, Hi! 👋🏼👋🏼 I’m Alissa. 
I’m a Holistic Practitioner & Therapist specializing in Multiple Sclerosis. 

There are SO many tools that we can use to help improve our bodies functioning- which can in turn improve our MS symptoms.

The biggies that have helped me? 👇🏼

🥗Nutrition 
🏋🏻‍♀️Movement
🧘🏻‍♀️Stress management 

Want my most favorite, super short exercise that can help MS symptoms??

Comment: SLAP and I’ll send it to you!!

#lissms #SlapittoMapit #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems

If we haven’t met yet, Hi! 👋🏼👋🏼 I’m Alissa.
I’m a Holistic Practitioner & Therapist specializing in Multiple Sclerosis.

There are SO many tools that we can use to help improve our bodies functioning- which can in turn improve our MS symptoms.

The biggies that have helped me? 👇🏼

🥗Nutrition
🏋🏻‍♀️Movement
🧘🏻‍♀️Stress management

Want my most favorite, super short exercise that can help MS symptoms??

Comment: SLAP and I’ll send it to you!!

#lissms #SlapittoMapit #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems
...

1 0
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!

Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes? 

It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true? 

Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge

Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!

Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes?

It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true?

Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge
...

0 0
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!

Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes? 

It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true? 

Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #slapittomapit #betterbrain

Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!

Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes?

It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true?

Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #slapittomapit #betterbrain
...

10 5
It’s an easy exercise with a silly name, but it actually packs a punch and can really change how you feel. 

Imagine measurably more energy and feeling more stable and balanced- and even improving a few MS symptoms here and there too?🤷🏻‍♀️ 

Your possibilities are endless! 

Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short video about how to do it!

#lissms #slapittomapit multiplesclerosis #thisisms

It’s an easy exercise with a silly name, but it actually packs a punch and can really change how you feel.

Imagine measurably more energy and feeling more stable and balanced- and even improving a few MS symptoms here and there too?🤷🏻‍♀️

Your possibilities are endless!

Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short video about how to do it!

#lissms #slapittomapit multiplesclerosis #thisisms
...

16 6
Take a time out for a literal minute.

It’s amazing what happens when you take the time to care for your body and nervous system. 

#LissMS #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation

Take a time out for a literal minute.

It’s amazing what happens when you take the time to care for your body and nervous system.

#LissMS #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation
...

13 1
First year flower garden needed a post. Already looking forward to next summer, maybe a little less yellow? Can’t wait for the zinnias to bloom!
😂🌼💛
What are you growing??

#lissms #cutflowergarden

First year flower garden needed a post. Already looking forward to next summer, maybe a little less yellow? Can’t wait for the zinnias to bloom!
😂🌼💛
What are you growing??

#lissms #cutflowergarden
...

17 0
Thankfully I haven’t heard any of these in a while.. maybe that means I’m getting my point across 🤷🏻‍♀️

But if you’re new here, I value holistic lifestyle medicine (snake oil 😂) but ALSO conventional medicine, I utilize it all after all. 

Yes, what we do as an individual matters for our health.
But so does the health systems we as individuals operate in.

Tomorrow is my MS-aversary, 16 years of having this disease. my newly diagnosed 24 year old self would be pretty shocked that I’m 40 (like in general lol) and also not in a wheelchair.

Here’s to many more years defying what I initially thought to be true about MS.

Comin with me? Hope so. 

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #lifewithms

Thankfully I haven’t heard any of these in a while.. maybe that means I’m getting my point across 🤷🏻‍♀️

But if you’re new here, I value holistic lifestyle medicine (snake oil 😂) but ALSO conventional medicine, I utilize it all after all.

Yes, what we do as an individual matters for our health.
But so does the health systems we as individuals operate in.

Tomorrow is my MS-aversary, 16 years of having this disease. my newly diagnosed 24 year old self would be pretty shocked that I’m 40 (like in general lol) and also not in a wheelchair.

Here’s to many more years defying what I initially thought to be true about MS.

Comin with me? Hope so.

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #lifewithms
...

35 4
I’ve tripped a few times in the last few weeks.. nothing crazy, but I noticed.

And I noticed my thoughts… is this a “THING”??

Oh the constant wonderings of an MSer… 
is this a regular life occurrence?
Or is this a new symptom? 😂😂

When was the last time you had this thought process??

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosiswarrior

I’ve tripped a few times in the last few weeks.. nothing crazy, but I noticed.

And I noticed my thoughts… is this a “THING”??

Oh the constant wonderings of an MSer…
is this a regular life occurrence?
Or is this a new symptom? 😂😂

When was the last time you had this thought process??

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosiswarrior
...

53 3
When you’re living with MS, it’s not that you don’t want to feel better…

It’s just that life keeps interrupting the plan.
Stress, symptoms, fatigue — they throw you off track.

That’s where support, structure, and accountability change everything.

That’s exactly what my membership is for.
✔️ Evidence-based strategies for MS
✔️ Real community and support
✔️ Gentle consistency that actually works

Only the waitlist is getting access as a Founding Member.

Comment WAITLIST and I’ll send you the link to add your name 

#lissms #MultipleSclerosis #MSwarrior #MSsupport #ChronicIllnessHealing #MScommunity #HolisticHealing #NervousSystemHealing

When you’re living with MS, it’s not that you don’t want to feel better…

It’s just that life keeps interrupting the plan.
Stress, symptoms, fatigue — they throw you off track.

That’s where support, structure, and accountability change everything.

That’s exactly what my membership is for.
✔️ Evidence-based strategies for MS
✔️ Real community and support
✔️ Gentle consistency that actually works

Only the waitlist is getting access as a Founding Member.

Comment WAITLIST and I’ll send you the link to add your name

#lissms #MultipleSclerosis #MSwarrior #MSsupport #ChronicIllnessHealing #MScommunity #HolisticHealing #NervousSystemHealing
...

16 2
But seriously.. this isn’t too far off 😂

Life handed me a lemon that was a MS diagnosis at 24. 
Life handed me a lemon that was multiple relapses and MS progression by 30.

Then I snatched those lemons, made some healing lemonade, and feel night and day different than I did 10 years ago when my symptoms were at their worst. 

I could do it, my clients are doing it, I know you can too.

That’s why I’m so passionate about doing what I do. I know it’s possible for you to feel better in your body and be able to do the things you want to do. 

Like go for a walk or hike with your spouse, say yes to a spontaneous night out with friends or get up and down off the floor playing with your kids. 

That’s why I want to invite you to the waitlist for what I have coming.

Think, somewhere to go online, where you can: connect with others who have MS, get questions about MS answered, get tools that can help your symptoms, support & accountability to help with actually doing those things.

Comment WAITLIST below and ill send you the link to join the list 

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior #becausems #thisisms #communityheals #mscommunity

But seriously.. this isn’t too far off 😂

Life handed me a lemon that was a MS diagnosis at 24.
Life handed me a lemon that was multiple relapses and MS progression by 30.

Then I snatched those lemons, made some healing lemonade, and feel night and day different than I did 10 years ago when my symptoms were at their worst.

I could do it, my clients are doing it, I know you can too.

That’s why I’m so passionate about doing what I do. I know it’s possible for you to feel better in your body and be able to do the things you want to do.

Like go for a walk or hike with your spouse, say yes to a spontaneous night out with friends or get up and down off the floor playing with your kids.

That’s why I want to invite you to the waitlist for what I have coming.

Think, somewhere to go online, where you can: connect with others who have MS, get questions about MS answered, get tools that can help your symptoms, support & accountability to help with actually doing those things.

Comment WAITLIST below and ill send you the link to join the list

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior #becausems #thisisms #communityheals #mscommunity
...

17 2
I have a saying about dealing with MS (and any other autoimmune/chronic illnesses) that inevitably comes up in my work with clients:
“You don’t get it, until you get it”

Meaning, you don’t understand living life with MS (or any of the above), until you live in a body that has it.

Which is why living with MS can be so tough and lonely, because its hard to find people that truly understand what you mean when you say you’re exhausted, or brain foggy or “fine”.

This is also why I believe that having a community of others who get it is invaluable.

I’ve seen countless times over where someone new to one of my groups is able to feel fully seen and heard for the first time, and that is priceless for them and their healing.

They walk away feeling validated, understood and at home, which are hard to come by at the doctors office 😂🙄

You’re not too much
You’re not alone
You’re not lazy
You’re just talking to the wrong people.

If you wanna talk to the right people, I’m creating something for you..

Think, somewhere to go online, where you can: connect with others who have MS, get questions about MS answered, get tools that can help your symptoms, support & accountability to help with actually doing those things.. 

BUT- only the waitlist is going to hear about it. So- if you want to be notified and involved in creating whats coming, comment WAITLIST and you’re in 

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiscommunity #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosissupport

I have a saying about dealing with MS (and any other autoimmune/chronic illnesses) that inevitably comes up in my work with clients:
“You don’t get it, until you get it”

Meaning, you don’t understand living life with MS (or any of the above), until you live in a body that has it.

Which is why living with MS can be so tough and lonely, because its hard to find people that truly understand what you mean when you say you’re exhausted, or brain foggy or “fine”.

This is also why I believe that having a community of others who get it is invaluable.

I’ve seen countless times over where someone new to one of my groups is able to feel fully seen and heard for the first time, and that is priceless for them and their healing.

They walk away feeling validated, understood and at home, which are hard to come by at the doctors office 😂🙄

You’re not too much
You’re not alone
You’re not lazy
You’re just talking to the wrong people.

If you wanna talk to the right people, I’m creating something for you..

Think, somewhere to go online, where you can: connect with others who have MS, get questions about MS answered, get tools that can help your symptoms, support & accountability to help with actually doing those things..

BUT- only the waitlist is going to hear about it. So- if you want to be notified and involved in creating whats coming, comment WAITLIST and you’re in

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiscommunity #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosissupport
...

14 3

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