Possible Symptom Triggers
Viral Infections. Viral infections are known to worsen MS. In a 2003 study, for example, the risk for an exacerbation of symptoms tripled within a month of an infection.
Heat. Heat, whether generated by ambient temperature, infection, or physical activity, worsens MS symptoms in about 60% of patients.
Stress. There is a strong correlation between severe stress and exacerbation of MS symptoms. For example, in one study, 85% of instances of MS exacerbations were associated with stressful events that occurred within an average of 14 days before the episode. Stress is not a cause of MS, however.
Trauma. Some experts believe that injury (trauma) to the head, neck, or upper back may trigger new or recurrent symptoms by disrupting the blood-brain barrier and allowing immunological attacks on the brain. This is a highly controversial theory, however, with very little supporting evidence.
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