Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. MS is a result of the immune system attacking the brain’s myelin sheath. This is a protective layer that covers nerve fibers in your central nervous system. MS causes an issue with your brain’s ability to communicate with your body. MS may cause permanent damage and degeneration of the nerves, which is why doctors prescribe medications like ocrevus, vumerity, kesimpta, aubagio, mayzent, and zeposia to reduce severity and damage. The disease affects individuals differently.

Multiple sclerosis symptoms vary in severity. Early warning signs of MS may include vision issues and leg weakness. When it has progressed multiple sclerosis symptoms may result in losing the ability to walk, developing tremors, or loss of vision. While others may not suffer from any symptoms for long periods of time. MS prevention includes taking steps to make dietary and lifestyle changes, while being aware of, and checking for early warning signs of MS. Here are few things you should know about preventative measures such as the correlation between MS and vitamin d, understanding the symptoms the disease may cause, and tips you may find useful. Early warning signs of MS may includ

1. Fatigue 

People with MS may notice an increase in fatigue and weakness as a result of nerve deterioration caused by MS. Many sufferers report having experienced leg weakness and long durations of fatigue.

2. Tingling and numbness 

MS affects your brain’s ability to communicate with the rest of the nerves in your body. This may result in tingling as the signals misfire, or complete numbness, when the nerves are incapable of receiving a signal due to deterioration.

3. Cognitive issues 

About 50 percent of people who suffer from MS develop cognitive issues including memory loss, speech issues, and shortened attention spans.

4. Emotional changes 

MS may also impact mental health. People who suffer from MS may develop depression, mood swings, or a condition called pseudobulbar affect that causes uncontrollable laughter or crying.

5. Vision problems

MS causes damage to the optical nerve which can cause blurry vision, double vision or complete or partial loss of vision.

6. Pain 

People who have MS have been known to suffer from chronic pain, muscle spasms, muscle stiffness, and /or painful jerking movements that are uncontrollable.

7. MS prevention

Research shows that adequate levels of vitamin D can potentially protect against MS

While women who participated in clinical trials were more likely to develop MS if they had a vitamin D deficiency, but further prevention methods include:

• Dietary changes: Eating foods that supply vitamin D can have a positive impact in preventing MS. These foods include fatty fish, many varieties of cereal, milk that contains vitamin D and eggs.
• Lifestyle changes: If you smoke quit, studies have shown smoking increases the risk of developing MS and can cause symptoms to become more severe more rapidly than nonsmokers.
• Supplements: Supplements that contain Vitamin D vitamin B and iron have been shown to help prevent MS.
• MS and natural vitamin D: Studies show that MS is more prevalent in places further from the sun. The sun is a natural source of vitamin D. Vitamin d is generated in the body from exposure to sunlight. Higher levels of vitamin d have been shown to prevent MS.