Do we know the cause of MS?

MS was first recognised over 130 years ago. In spite of this, we still do not fully understand the cause of MS. There has been a great deal of research on what actually triggers MS and a number of theories have been proposed over the years.

The theory that is widely held now is that MS is an autoimmune disease. That's where the body's immune system, which should in theory only attack invading germs, turns on the body's own tissues.

Other autoimmune conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, where the lining of joints become inflamed, and Crohn's Disease which affects the wall of the intestines.

In the case of MS, the immune system attacks the nerve coverings in the central nervous system, known as myelin. The reason for this reaction is unknown but it is thought that the genetic make up of some people means that MS can be triggered by an infectious agent or agents

The physical damage caused by MS only happens in the brain or spinal cord. However, as these organs control the functions of the whole body, symptoms can affect many different areas.

How MS affects an individual depends on where damage occurs in the central nervous system and which nerve messages are interrupted or blocked. As well as the variety of symptoms, the severity and duration will also vary considerably from person to person.