Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease wherein demyelination and axonal loss occur in the central nervous system (CNS). MS is a multifactorial disease in which environmental factors can be responsible for triggering an autoimmune response in genetically susceptible individuals.
Environmental factors typically act in combination, while being less selective and having an effect on the pathogenesis of MS. A complex interplay between individual genetic predisposition and environmental factors in MS affects both the incidence of MS and its clinical form.
The most significant factors include smoking, reduced vitamin D concentration, reduced UV light exposure, high sodium chloride level, and early Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection.