Why You Might Develop Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
According to research, about one million people in the United States of America live with multiple sclerosis, with the condition affecting more women than men. Although, the cause of this condition is still unknown. However, some researchers have identified factors they believe could trigger multiple sclerosis. Some of these factors include poor lifestyle and poor feeding habits.
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder, that is, a condition that confuses the immune system into attacking healthy cells. It is also characterized by a situation whereby a part of the nervous system is inflamed, and nerve signals from the brain to other parts of the body are interrupted. Multiple sclerosis translates into scar tissues present in multiple parts of the body. When the body begins to undergo abnormal changes to the nervous and immune systems, several symptoms begin to manifest.
Research has shown that symptoms last for weeks before any improvements whatsoever. This is because some of the nerve signals from the brain have been tampered with by the Inflammation. When this part of the body begins to malfunction, symptoms like dizziness, pain, and numbness begin to surface. In addition, advanced symptoms can affect the eyes, spinal cord, and brain severely. Also, manifestations range from mild to severe and can get worse if left untreated. Mild symptoms of multiple sclerosis include;
- Tingling limbs
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Loss of memory
While advanced or severe multiple sclerosis manifest the following symptoms;
- Mobility issues
- Paralysis
- Complete vision loss
The triggers of multiple sclerosis vary largely from person to person and depend on certain factors which are suspected of putting anyone at a higher risk of developing this autoimmune condition. Although the causes have not been confirmed to be sufficient conditions for multiple sclerosis to occur. However, they are necessary conditions that may trigger reactions that may cause damages to the nervous system.
During a study carried out among people suffering from multiple sclerosis, experts discovered a common chain of causal factors. From here, they concluded that although science has not been able to pinpoint what exactly the cause of multiple sclerosis is, some of the common recurring factors they discovered in their studies can precipitate multiple sclerosis. As you know, prevention or deterrence is better than cure. Preventing multiple sclerosis can be easy as long as you stick to the process.
The best way to prevent it is by avoiding the possible triggers as much as you can. These triggers make up the central part of this article. Taking note of them and understanding how they might impact your nervous system negatively will also strengthen the prevention process.
Triggers of Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is believed by experts to be triggered by some factors. These factors, when avoided, can prevent multiple sclerosis from occurring in the body and can also speed up the treatment process of people already living with the condition. The following are multiple sclerosis triggers;
Stress
Stress is almost inevitable, as you juggle several activities that are important to you. However, a lack of proper care after you must have stressed your body out can cause severe damage to vital organs of your body. It can trigger severe health conditions like multiple sclerosis, among others, making you a vegetable. Putting in enough effort to manage it will help you prevent multiple sclerosis later in the future.
Yoga is one of the most effective mechanisms that can help you manage stress and even improve symptoms of multiple sclerosis, if there are any. Studies showed that people suffering from multiple sclerosis who underwent 6 weeks of yoga and relaxation experienced improved symptoms almost 3 weeks after the start of their yoga routine.
Stress is not over-hyped. It can kill you if you do not manage it properly. Asides from being a silent killer, it also toys with your vital organs.
Exposure to Bacterial and Viral Infections
Research has demonstrated that when the body is exposed to infections like mononucleosis and Epstein-Barr virus, symptoms of multiple sclerosis begin to manifest and can worsen with age. It is important to reduce your exposure to infections that tend to tamper with your body. One effective mode of ensuring this is by eating healthy foods that are packed with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties.
This way, there will be no chance for infections. This measure also boosts the functions of the immune system by combating infections that may want to gain entrance into the body forcefully.
Smoking
Heavy smoking causes more damage to the body than the pleasure it gives. Asides from multiple sclerosis, many other health conditions have been linked to excessive indulgence in smoking. This is why a good number of smokers develop one severe health condition or the other. How is smoking linked to multiple sclerosis?
Research has shown that smoking can have adverse neurological effects on smokers. It can cause the brain to shrink and even aid the production of lesions and scar tissues in the brain. With these conditions in place, multiple sclerosis, coupled with other severe health conditions, is inevitable.
As difficult as it may be to quit it, smoking causes more harm than good. It leaves you in a dilemma of continuing to enjoy the tiny pleasure of smoking while your health deteriorates rapidly or taking the pain and discomfort of quitting it while you maintain a healthy you in the process.
Vaccinations
According to research, certain vaccinations such as influenza vaccines, travel vaccines, and hepatitis B vaccines can also trigger multiple sclerosis. Even though more investigation is required to validate this. However, It was discovered by experts that most people who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis have a common vaccination pattern, which includes the above-mentioned vaccines.
Heat
Hot temperatures can also be a trigger multiple sclerosis. If you get affected easily by hot temperatures, try to avoid hot environments and hot things as much as you can. Avoid hot baths and also avoid going out in the hot weather.
Have cool baths and wear light clothes. Wear hats to shield you from the sun, and always carry ice packs along with you to make you feel more comfortable. In addition, during physical exercise, break own your exercise time into bits and take rests in between.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Studies have shown that multiple sclerosis is common among people who lack enough exposure to sunlight. This is because sunlight aids the body in producing vitamin D, an essential nutrient that strengthens and stimulates the immune system’s role. Including vitamin D-rich foods in your diet and also exposing yourself to enough morning sunlight can go a very long way in managing and preventing multiple sclerosis.
Poor Diet
The constant consumption of processed foods can leave you battling with many health conditions, including multiple sclerosis. Adding nutrient-rich foods to your diets can help prevent and manage multiple sclerosis.
Your diet is unhealthy for you if there are no 100% natural and organic foods in your diet. Combining a healthy physical exercise routine with a healthy diet can also reduce your chances of developing multiple sclerosis and also help you manage it if you already have it.
Lack of Sleep
Adequate sleep is an important part of life. When you stress out your body in the day, you need to give it time at night to repair and rebuild itself. Quality sleep automatically translates into quality life. Numerous side effects have been associated with poor sleep patterns. Depriving your body of sleep can cause severe damage to your brain, trigger multiple sclerosis and worsen the symptoms in a short time.
In addition, advanced multiple sclerosis can reduce the quality of your sleep due to pain and discomfort. Also, medications administered for multiple sclerosis can tamper with the quality of your sleep. In other words, a poor sleeping habit can cause multiple sclerosis, and the sleep pattern worsens when you finally develop multiple sclerosis. When this happens, it leaves you fatigued and aggravates your condition.
If you have sleep problems, it is best to see your doctor to discuss them and devise possible ways to remedy them, such that it does not escalate or trigger severe health conditions.
Conclusion
Multiple sclerosis is one condition that can damage your vital organs and leave you sick and weak all year long. Preventing it is important, and this involves avoiding the above-mentioned triggers.
