Short answer is that we don't fully know yet; a lot of research is still being carried out to try to understand this; a number of factors are being considered as possible causes:
We can be reassured that this is a very pertinent question which many scientists are working to solve - it can only be a matter of time!
- Genetics: you are more likely to suffer from MS if either of your parents or close relatives do; this is common but MS is not passed down by a single identified gene
- Environment: individuals with less exposure to sunlight in their daily life and live further from the equator are more susceptible suggesting that vitamin D levels could play a role (many individuals with MS show some level of vitamin D deficiency)
- Infection: there has been work suggesting that prior Epstein Barr virus (glandular fever) can leave individuals susceptible to developing MS
- Lifestyle: certain lifestyle be behaviours such as smoking and obesity have been suggested to raise levels of inflammation in the body which may be partly responsible.
We can be reassured that this is a very pertinent question which many scientists are working to solve - it can only be a matter of time!
Sources:
MS Society (2017) Causes of MS
MS Trust (2014) Causes of MS
MS Society (2017) Causes of MS
MS Trust (2014) Causes of MS
