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Preventions of multiple sclerosis: Multiple Sclerosis Prevention: Is It Possible?

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Multiple Sclerosis Prevention: Is It Possible?

Researchers don’t yet fully understand what causes multiple sclerosis (MS) but believe it may develop from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Identifying these factors can help open the door to treatment and prevention options.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system. More than 2.8 million people worldwide live with MS, according to the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation.

Read on to learn about the ongoing research on MS prevention

MS is an immune-mediated disease in which the body’s immune system attacks myelin. This fatty substance insulates and protects the nerve fibers of the central nervous system. When myelin is damaged, it’s difficult for the brain to send signals to the rest of the body and within the brain itself.

The symptoms of MS vary from person to person. Common symptoms may include:

  • blurred vision
  • fatigue
  • weak limbs
  • problems with memory
  • difficulty breathing and swallowing

Scientists, researchers, and doctors haven’t yet developed a method of curing or preventing MS. But understanding the factors contributing to MS development and progression can open the door to developing treatments and prevention options.

Though there are no definitive conclusions, there are studies that explore various possibilities for MS prevention. These include the following:

  • Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels: Several studies have focused on whether vitamin D levels influence MS activity, with some research showing that higher levels of vitamin D may prevent MS. Vitamin D can be obtained through sun exposure, fortified foods, and supplements.
  • Fasting: A 2016 study on mice suggested that fasting could provide beneficial effects for relapsing-remitting MS. Though more research in humans is needed, certain variations of fasting — such as intermittent fasting — may be especially beneficial.
  • Drinking coffee: A 2016 report found that the risk of developing MS was substantially lower in people who drank a high amount of coffee (more than 30 ounces, or around 4 cups, per day).
  • Consuming resveratrol: A 2017 study on mice found that resveratrol — a compound found in red wine — showed anti-inflammatory effects in the brain, which may restore the myelin coating on nerve fibers. In addition to red wine, resveratrol is also found in grapes, apples, blueberries, and plums and is available as a supplement.
  • Minimizing stress levels: Research indicates that stress may be involved in the development of MS. According to one 2020 study, stressful major life events could be linked to a 17–30% increase in the risk of MS.
  • Quitting smoking: Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke can increase the risk of developing MS and MS progression. Furthermore, for people with MS, smoking is associated with increased disease activity and disability.
  • Following a balanced diet: Studies show that obesity may be associated with a higher risk of MS, especially during adolescence. While there’s no specific diet for MS, a well-rounded diet can help you reach or maintain a moderate weight and provide nutrients that are important for immune function and overall health.
  • Staying active: Some studies have found that vigorous physical activity could be linked to a decreased risk of MS, even after adjusting for other variables like age, sex, and smoking.
  • Supplement with flaxseed oil: Flaxseed oil is rich in alpha-linolenic acid, a type of omega-3 fatty acid that may be tied to a reduced risk of MS, according to one 2018 study.

MS isn’t directly inherited or contagious, but some things may increase your risk. They include:

  • Sex: Hormones are thought to play a role in the development of MS. In fact, females are approximately three times as likely to develop MS as males.
  • Age: Although people of any age can develop MS, most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20–50.
  • Family history: There’s a higher risk of MS if a parent or sibling has MS.
  • Race: People of African, Asian, or Native American descent have the lowest risk for developing MS. White people — especially those of Northern European descent — have the highest.
  • Geography and sun: The likelihood of developing MS is higher in areas farthest from the equator. Because of this, it’s speculated that exposure to the sun or higher vitamin D levels in the body might help prevent MS.
  • Past infections: Some viruses, such as Epstein-Barr, have been linked to MS.
  • Certain autoimmune diseases: Having type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, or inflammatory bowel disease may increase the risk of developing MS.

Understanding these risk factors can help researchers find potential cures and prevention opportunities.

Are sex and gender the same thing?

People often use the terms sex and gender interchangeably, but they have different meanings:

  • “Sex” refers to the physical characteristics that differentiate male, female, and intersex bodies.
  • “Gender” refers to a person’s identity and how they feel inside. Examples include man, woman, nonbinary, agender, bigender, genderfluid, pangender, and trans. A person’s gender identity may be different from the sex they were assigned at birth.

Was this helpful?

Below are some frequently asked questions about MS.

Can multiple sclerosis be prevented?

Multiple sclerosis cannot be completely prevented, and certain risk factors — such as age, sex, and family history — cannot be modified. However, changing your diet and lifestyle may help reduce the risk of developing MS.

How can you prevent multiple sclerosis?

Though MS cannot be totally prevented, quitting smoking (if applicable), maintaining moderate body weight, and getting enough vitamin D through diet or sun exposure could help reduce your risk.

Staying active, minimizing stress levels, and following a healthy, well-rounded diet may also be beneficial.

Who is most likely to get multiple sclerosis?

While anyone can develop MS, it’s more common in females, those with a family history of MS, and people between the ages of 20 and 50. White people of Northern European descent are also at a higher risk, along with those with a history of certain autoimmune conditions or viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr.

At this point in time, there are no cures for MS. There are also no proven ways to prevent getting the disease. There is, however, ongoing MS research on MS and how to prevent it.

The initiation and prevention of multiple sclerosis

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Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which the human immune system destroys a special sheath of nerve cell processes. This disrupts the conduction of nerve impulses in the brain and spinal cord, in connection with which the arms and legs weaken, vision deteriorates, dizziness appears, etc.

The disease develops 2 times more often in women than in men. The first signs of the disease appear between the ages of 20 and 40. The symptoms of multiple sclerosis gradually increase, leading to profound disability. At the same time, periods of improvement and deterioration in the condition of patients alternate. Sometimes multiple sclerosis is difficult to diagnose, especially in the early stages. Treatment is aimed at reducing the severity of the manifestations of the disease. There are no treatments to achieve complete recovery.

Russian synonyms

Multiple sclerosis.

English synonyms

Multiple sclerosis, disseminated sclerosis, encephalomyelitis disseminate.

Symptoms

  • Reduced visual acuity, double vision. Sometimes there is pain when moving the eyes.
  • Decreased muscle strength. May occur in one arm or leg, then spread to the opposite side.
  • Numbness, tingling in the trunk, arms, legs.
  • Disturbance of coordination, balance, dizziness.
  • Incontinence or retention of urine, stool.
  • Trembling in arms or legs.
  • General fatigue, weakness.
  • Decreased memory, attention.

General information about the disease

Multiple sclerosis is one of the causes of profound disability in young and middle-aged people. It occurs as a result of the destruction of the sheath of the processes of nerve cells, which is called myelin. Myelin helps insulate nerve fibers. If its structure is damaged, the transmission of nerve impulses in the brain and spinal cord is blocked or significantly impaired, causing manifestations of the disease. The destruction of this shell occurs when exposed to cells of the body’s immune system. There are theories according to which the disease develops mainly in people with defects in the immune system. When certain infections affect the human body, immunity cells not only begin to destroy the causative agent of this infection, but also have a damaging effect on their own nerve cells, destroying their membrane. In the brain and spinal cord, multiple foci of multiple sclerosis are formed. Such areas of the brain cannot function normally, which leads to the disease.

During the course of the disease, there are episodes of significant improvement in the condition, the so-called remissions. Symptoms of the disease weaken or disappear altogether, and this allows patients to return to a normal lifestyle for a while. There are also exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, when the manifestations of the disease can be significantly increased.

One of the factors negatively affecting the condition of patients is an increase in body temperature. In multiple sclerosis, even a hot bath can cause an increase in weakness in an arm or leg. This is due to the fact that the conduction of nerve impulses along the damaged processes of nerve cells deteriorates with increasing temperature.

The disease progresses over time.

Among the factors that cause multiple sclerosis, we can distinguish:

  • genetic factors – predisposition to the disease is inherited;
  • infections of the brain and spinal cord.

Scientists have found that multiple sclerosis is more common in countries with a temperate and cold climate, in countries with a hot climate, the incidence is lower.

Who is at risk?

  • Persons whose close relatives have suffered from multiple sclerosis.
  • Women.
  • Persons aged 20 to 40 years.
  • Patients with infectious diseases.
  • Living in countries with a temperate and cold climate.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is based on identifying the characteristic manifestations of the disease and excluding diseases that have similar symptoms. An important role is played by magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spinal cord, which makes it possible to obtain images of the internal structures of the body. In multiple sclerosis, multiple foci of damage to the medulla are found on a tomogram of the brain (although they can be caused by other diseases).

Laboratory tests are carried out to clarify the diagnosis.

  • Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (isoelectric focusing of oligoclonal IgG in CSF and serum). Liquor washes the brain and spinal cord. With multiple sclerosis, oligoclonal immunoglobulin G is detected in it, which indicates the effect of the immune system on the brain. Immunoglobulins are produced in response to exposure to infections. Accordingly, the detection of this type of immunoglobulin in the blood serum indicates the action of the immune system against its own cells.

  • Complete blood count (without leukocyte formula and ESR). An increase in the number of leukocytes in the blood, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate indicates an inflammatory process (multiple sclerosis can develop when the body is exposed to infections).
  • Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid for protein, glucose – a change in these indicators is observed in diseases of the brain and spinal cord.

Additional studies

  • The method of evoked potentials is based on the study of electrical reactions of the brain and spinal cord in response to irritation of the muscles of the arms, legs, torso, eyes, organs of hearing. This allows you to measure the speed of propagation of nerve impulses, to assess the safety of the conduction of signals along the nerve endings.

Treatment

The treatment of multiple sclerosis consists in reducing the severity of existing symptoms, achieving a stable state of patients in the periods between exacerbations of the disease.

There are no methods to achieve a complete cure.

Adrenocortical hormone preparations (corticosteroids) are used. They help reduce inflammation in the lesions of the brain and spinal cord. Various drugs are also used that reduce the activity of the human immune system – this slows down the destruction of the sheath of nerve endings.

In addition, there are many drugs available to treat individual symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

Prevention

There is no prevention for multiple sclerosis. When the disease has already arisen, it is necessary to prevent the exacerbation of the disease. To do this, avoid overexertion, stress, hot baths, as an increase in body temperature leads to an increase in symptoms. In some cases, drug prevention of exacerbations of the disease is used.

Recommended tests

  • Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (isoelectric focusing of oligoclonal IgG in CSF and serum)
  • Complete blood count
  • Total protein in liquor
  • Glucose in CSF

All about the prevention of multiple sclerosis flare-ups

Although multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease, it can and should be controlled. In order for the state of remission (no symptoms) to last as long as possible, you must follow the rules for the prevention of exacerbations.

What can provoke an exacerbation in multiple sclerosis?
Directly or indirect cause of the deterioration of well -being, with this disease, are:

  • Infections (in particular, acute respiratory – viral or bacterial etiology)
  • intoxication (for example, with exceeding the dosage of drugs or work with nuclear -chief)
  • Hirurg the interventions (especially when it comes to serious, large operations)
  • alcohol abuse, smoking
  • severe injuries
  • prolonged exposure to the sun
  • hyperthermia, or overheating (for example, when visiting a sauna)

Women may experience an exacerbation during pregnancy or after childbirth.

Stress can also be considered as a possible provocateur. The greatest risk is associated with prolonged psycho-emotional overstrain.

10 rules for the prevention of exacerbations
Multiple sclerosis does not require radical lifestyle changes. On the contrary, it is better for the patient to be in comfortable conditions without excessive restrictions and fixation on the disease.

To reduce the risk of exacerbations, you must follow the 10 basic rules of prevention:

  1. Do not overwork. Multiple sclerosis patients feel excessive fatigue (this is due to the state of the nervous system), and they need to monitor their well-being and rest as needed
  2. Enough sleep. In demyelinating diseases, excessive sleepiness or insomnia is often observed. It can help to plan work and rest and sleep schedule – go to bed and get up every day at the same time
  3. Avoid physical overexertion. Hard work exhausts the patient, so you need to change your profession if it involves constant workloads, give up carrying weights, regular long-term work in the garden
  4. Do gymnastics. The list of exercises and the duration of the load should be discussed with your doctor, but daily 15-minute sessions are usually recommended. It helps maintain muscle tone, maintain physical activity, improve mood
  5. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. It is better for patients to refuse to visit the beach (or do it in the morning or evening, using sunscreen). In the heat, you need to wear a hat, dark glasses, hide in the shade and, if possible, take a cool shower. Do not sunbathe in a solarium
  6. Dress for the weather. So that it is not hot or cold, depending on the season and how you feel
  7. Drink plenty of fluids. This helps to improve the state of fatigue and is especially important in the heat. You should choose water, black or green tea without sugar (or with a minimum amount) and avoid drinks with flavorings and dyes
  8. Adjust diet. It is worth reducing the consumption of meat, eggs, as well as cream and butter. Useful plant food, fish; the menu should be moderate in calories to keep body weight under control
  9. Give up bad habits. Refers to smoking and alcohol abuse
  10. Do not overheat. Patients with multiple sclerosis should not take hot baths, be in a stuffy room, visit a sauna and bath

It is better to avoid working with toxic substances, as well as monotonous work that causes rapid fatigue. It is recommended to include outdoor walks in the daily routine (weather conditions allow).

Drug therapy (especially hormonal contraceptives or potentially toxic drugs) can only be recommended by a doctor, and regular monitoring of the patient’s well-being is necessary during treatment.

It is worth minimizing stress – and if a situation arises where this is impossible, consult a psychologist / psychotherapist, learn relaxation techniques and reduce anxiety.

Multiple sclerosis is not a reason to abandon motherhood if the woman’s condition is satisfactory, but pregnancy should be planned only during remission.

This is due both to an increased risk of exacerbations during childbearing and after childbirth, and to drug therapy to suppress the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, which can aggressively affect the fetus.