When I first got tested for multiple sclerosis (MS), I was asked if I had a family history of the disease. As far as I know, that wasn’t the case. After receiving the diagnosis and recovering from the initial shock of the news, one of the first things that went through my mind was, “Will my children get MS too?” I think this may be a common experience for parents with this condition.
I’m not a worrier or a worrier. I usually work with the philosophy that the outcome is the same whether I worry or not, so why waste time and energy worrying about things you can’t control?
But when it comes to my own children, I admit that this question of whether they too will get MS made me anxious and quickly rose to the top of my list of worries.
Is MS hereditary?
I always say the gene pool hasn’t been kind to me. In addition to my M.S. psoriatic arthritis Since my teens.Unfortunately, I believe my son hereditary Psoriasis from me. So when I was asked if I had a family history of MS, I was worried and anxious because I thought MS was a highly hereditary disease and that my children were destined to develop it. Ta.
Well, thankfully my assumption was wrong. I researched genetics and multiple sclerosis online and talked to my health care provider, which eased my fears. MS is not a genetic disease. This means that it is not passed down from parent to child like eye color.
A person’s genetic makeup can influence their risk of multiple sclerosis, but there is more than one gene associated with multiple sclerosis. I was surprised to learn that there are at least 200 genes that are thought to potentially contribute to the development of MS. Because so many genes may be involved, it seems unlikely that my children will have all the mutations that could contribute to this disease. I think this is a case where MS being complex and complicated is a positive.
Additionally, genetics aren’t the only thing that determines whether my child will develop this disease. Environmental and lifestyle factors can also play a role. Today’s MS News Note.
Living in a certain geographic region can influence your risk of developing MS. One reason for this may be differences in sunlight exposure, which can affect vitamin D levels. Researchers have found that vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for MS.
A history of certain bacterial or viral diseases can increase your risk of developing that disease, as well as lifestyle factors such as smoking and obesity. My children’s exposure to these environmental and lifestyle factors is very different from mine, and I hope those differences will reduce their chances of contracting the disease.
Since I have MS, I estimate that my children have about a 1.5% chance of having it. 1/67it is possible to develop it, but the risk in the general population is about 0.3%, or 1/333. Approximately 1 in 5 patients has a family history of this condition.
I wish the risk to children was closer to that of the general public, but I am relieved that it is much lower than I originally thought. I haven’t removed this concern from my worry list, but it ranks much lower than it used to.
Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about this disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues related to multiple sclerosis.
