Multiple sclerosis is a long-lasting autoimmune disease of the spinal cord and brain. It can also affect the optic nerves in the eyes. This disease affects each patient differently. Some patients can continue with their regular life, while others may require treatment and support. Multiple sclerosis hampers the central nervous system. Let us take a look at the symptoms, causes, and risk factors associated with this disease.

Symptoms
Multiple sclerosis causes damage to the nerves and brain which leads to a variety of symptoms such as

• Walking troubles
• Constant exhaustion
• Poor bowel or bladder control
• Trouble with memory
• Blurry vision
• Tingling and numbness
• Weakness in the muscle

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis tend to get worse as the years pass by. The primary symptoms usually start anywhere between the ages of 20 to 40. Some patients experience the onset of symptoms in middle age.

Causes
Speaking of the causes of multiple sclerosis, there are no definite ones. There is a lot of research being conducted in the field of medicine to determine them. Currently, only the possible causes can be mentioned, and some of them are

• Infection by the Epstein-Barr virus
• Genetic factors
• Smoking
• Infection of measles and herpes
• Consuming foods that contain saturated fat

Risk factors
There are certain risk factors that increase a person’s chances of getting multiple sclerosis. Some of the commonly observed risk factors are

• Autoimmune diseases
  A person who has a compromised immune system can develop multiple sclerosis. This is usually seen in people who already have other autoimmune diseases like diabetes or thyroid.
• Race
  Multiple sclerosis is observed in people whose ancestors hail from North Europe. People with the lowest risk are those who belong to the Native American, African, and Asian descents.
• Vitamin D deficiency
  People who have a deficiency of Vitamin D are at a high risk of getting multiple sclerosis. Usually, this deficiency occurs among people who do have a lack of exposure to sunlight; especially those working in jobs having night shifts.
• Gender
  Studies show that women are at a higher risk of getting multiple sclerosis as compared to men.
• Family history
  It is a common fact that hereditary factors play an instrumental role in the occurrence of many conditions, and multiple sclerosis is no exception. Just like diabetes, people are at a greater risk of getting multiple sclerosis if immediate family members like their father or mother suffer from the disease.

Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis is usually done with the help of

• Physical check-up and evaluation of the patient’s medical history
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan
• Spinal tap

One doctor may also require you to do certain blood tests, according to the symptoms.

At present, multiple sclerosis has no cure. The doctor will manage symptoms with the help of medications, physical therapy, and relaxants for your muscles. The main aim of the treatments is to reduce how fast the disease advances.