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It seems probable that MS can be triggered by many different things.

This is a theory about what may trigger MS, or flare-ups in Relapsing Remitting MS. It is about identifying 3 main systems and the connections between them.


TRIGGERS:

1. IMMUNE SYSTEM.
Viral
Infections

2. NEURAL SYSTEM

Age?
  e.g. Puberty (acting on the neuro-endocrine (chemical) system.
  e.g. calcification of the Pineal gland
Could Landry-Barre syndrome be a trigger? (Itself started by a virus or infection or "various systemic and toxic disorders." [Gould's Dictionary]) Or, other disorders, like Horner's Syndrome, Shy-Drager etc.?

3. NEURO-ENDOCRINE (CHEMICAL) SYSTEM
Here there are multitudinous potential triggers. Many are secondary responses to neural damage but they may be a primary trigger and may also be secondary triggers leading to further neural damage, i.e. to new exacerbations. The variety of possible triggers here underscores the absolute need for an underlying genetic predisposition. (Many people have these conditions without developing MS.)
Toxins (e.g. physotstigmine and piperazine)
Drugs (perhaps antihistamines, even marijuana?)
Depression (Bipolar and Unipolar Affective disorders) as precursors, not symptoms of MS.
Emotional Stress (e.g. grief)
Stress (particularly chronic)
Chronic Fatigue syndrome (M.E.) (This is initially triggered from the immune system. But if it develops into MS then it would work from the neuroendocrine/chemical system)
Lifestyle (Diet/Exercise etc.)


bibliography (A-H)
bibliography (H-Z)
an amateur glossary
In 1999 these ideas developed into a booklet (as web pages)

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Originally established in 1996 and extensively changed in 2003 and again in 2006
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