Multiple sclerosis is characterized by an immune system gone haywire. A patient’s immune system starts treating the protective coating of the nerves – called myelin – as dangerous. The subsequent nerve damage can cause a variety of symptoms, including muscle weakness, pain and vision loss. MS currently has no cure, and doctors still don’t completely understand what causes it.
While there is a genetic component to MS, environmental factors also play a big role in determining whether someone will develop the disease. Recent evidence suggests that what’s in your digestive tract may also be a meaningful contributor to disease risk.
