Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition, which arises from an overactive response of the immune system against healthy body tissue, manifested by the immune system attacking the Central Nervous system, thereby causing nerve damage. The onset of the disease is observed in young adults, with women forming the bulk of those affected. Doctors have not yet been able to determine the exact cause(s) of the condition but generally, there are some known pre- disposing factors.
One of the most common pre- disposing factors is the gene factor. It has been observed that some families seem to have a history of MS, thereby suggesting gene susceptibility to the condition. Research suggests that the siblings of someone suffering from MS have a higher risk about 2%-5% of developing the condition. However, there is not a single gene, which can singularly be pointed out as being the direct cause of MS. Instead, doctors try to connect the occurrence of the condition in the genetically susceptible people to some sort of environmental trigger such as a virus or some toxin. Indeed, these organisms especially viruses are mostly suspected as a cause of the condition. Viruses such as the measles virus, which causes measles, viruses that cause herpes as well as flu viruses have all been linked to Multiple Sclerosis. There is also growing proof, which suggests that some hormones, especially the sex hormones can trigger the disease. Estrogen and Progesterone, which are the two most important hormones linked to women are capable of suppressing some activities in the immune system. The male hormone testosterone can also suppress the immune response in men thereby triggering MS.
Geography also seems to contribute, as MS patients are found mostly in Australia North America and Europe. The situation worsens as one tends to move away from the equatorial region and towards more temperate climates. Interestingly, the occurrence of Multiple Sclerosis has been observed to be very high in countries which have a sexual permissive culture as opposed to those that maintain a largely traditional culture, suggesting that MS could be a sexually transmitted disease. Further credence is laid to this theory by the fact that the chances of people from traditional societies contracting MS increases as they immigrate to these sexually permissive nations. There are also some specific patterns of the disease, which are observed in MS patients. This has led to some experts suggesting that MS may not just be a disorder in itself but a collection of many disorders with varying causes, whose combined effect causes MS.