| When it comes to neurological diseases which are | | | | theory is that it might be connected in some way to |
| debilitating, Multiple Sclerosis is the one most | | | | natural light levels. This is based on the observation |
| commonly found amongst the young. It is usually | | | | that more people suffer a serious relapse in the |
| strikes between the ages of 20 and 40. It is not | | | | lighter spring months than the darker winter ones. It |
| curable, but sufferers typically go through natural | | | | is also supported by the fact MS is much more |
| periods of remission or calm. It affects 2.5 million | | | | prevalent in certain geographical locations, for |
| people throughout the world. | | | | instance it is much more common the further you |
| MS attacks present themselves differently in each | | | | get towards the poles, but rarely found around the |
| individual. Symptoms can include visual problems, | | | | equator. |
| painful eye movements, bodily weakness, tremors | | | | Another area scientists are studying is diet. There |
| and depression. It can also cause inexplicable and | | | | might be possible links with an excessive consumption |
| inappropriate emotional responses, for instance | | | | of dairy products and red meat. Some studies have |
| laughing when hearing bad news. | | | | also shown that certain foods may give some |
| Multiple Sclerosis is caused by an immune system | | | | protection against the symptoms, such as oily fish |
| problem. It incorrectly identifies the myelin sheath, | | | | which is high in Vitamin D and omega-3. |
| which is the protective layer of the nerve cells, as a | | | | A third hypothesis is that it is caused by a pathogen |
| foreign body and therefore tries to destroy it. As the | | | | or virus. The theory is that once the infection is |
| body fights itself, it then trues to repair the damage | | | | contracted the immune system attempts to destroy |
| done by covering the affected areas with new | | | | it. But if it is disguised to mimic its surroundings then |
| myelin. This leads to toughened areas on the nerves | | | | the body will end up destroying itself in the process. |
| known as plaques,(sclerosis is a derivative of skleros, | | | | It is hoped that when MS is finally understood, |
| the Greek word for hard). | | | | scientists will then be able to develop an effective |
| Scientists have not yet found what triggers Multiple | | | | treatment. |
| Sclerosis. There are several theories however. One | | | | |