According to Rumrill (2009) " experts generally believe that MS stems from a combination of immunologic, environmental, and genetic factors ". Viral agents have been related to other demyelinating autoimmune responses which led many to believe that there is an environmental agent that triggers the activation of a virus in kid's pre-puberty which increases susceptibility of the illness in later years (Rumrill, 2009, p. 76). Therefore, MS may develop due to a genetic predisposition triggered by environmental factors (Rumrill, 2009, p. 76). Jankosky, Deussing, Gibson & Haverkos (2012) discussed specific environmental factors and viruses that may trigger the development of MS; this included northern latitudes, Vitamin D deficiency and EBV infections. It has been said that MS patients have low Vitamin D levels which has a stimulating or suppressing effect on the immune system, which in turn plays a role in the Central Nervous System (CNS) (Jankosky, Deussing, Gibson & Haverkos, 2012). Research has tried to pinpoint specific environmental factors that correlate with the development of MS, but more and more studies are finding that it is a combination of factors that may trigger causation of MS. .
Diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
According to Senelick (2012) diagnosing MS is a very complex process that consists of tracking medical history, asking the right questions which will eliminate similar conceivable diseases, and imaging techniques such as "MRI, spinal taps or lumbar punctures (examination of the cerebrospinal fluid that runs through the spinal column), evoked potentials (electrical tests to help determine if MS has affected a person's nerve pathways), and lab analysis of blood samples ". The general criteria to follow when diagnosing MS includes having two or more lesions on the brain, eliminating possibilities of other diseases, having had flare-ups that lasted at least 24 hours with a once a month occurrence, symptoms and characteristics that suggest a brain or spinal cord disease, and an onset between the ages of 20 and 50 years old (Senelick, 2012).
