Private MD News
Home |
News |
Autoimmune Diseases
Study identifies risk factors for multiple sclerosis
Updated: 2009-11-10 22:09:21 CST Category: Autoimmune Diseases
by Brendan Missett
Obesity in teenage girls may increase their risk of later developing multiple sclerosis (MS), new research indicates.
A study reported in the November 10 issue of Neurology tracked more than 238,000 women participating in the Nurses' Health Study between 1976 and 2002. After calculating the women's body mass index, the Harvard researchers found that obesity at the age of 18 more than doubles a woman's risk of developing MS, compared to slimmer teens, HealthDay News reports.
"Up until recently, we've looked at MS as a disease for which the onset can't be controlled," researcher Dr John Richert told the news source. "If all the incoming data from this study is correct, not smoking and maintaining an ideal weight might lower the risk of MS."
MS is a chronic disorder of the central nervous system which scientists classify as an autoimmune disease. When MS develops, the body's immune system attacks its own myelin cells, a fatty substance that covers nerve fibers.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a body mass index of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered normal, while any measurement above 30 is obese.

Related Articles from Private MD:
Share on Facebook
Subscribe to Private MD Health News RSS Feed: 
News Categories:
Advanced Lipid Treatment I
Allergy Testing
Anemia and RBC disorders
Autoimmune Diseases
Bariatric Lab Testing
Blood and Blood Diseases
Breast
Cancer Detection and Tumor Markers
Celiac Disease Testing
Chlamydia
Coagulation and blood clotting disorders
Colon
Diabetes
DNA, Paternity and Genetic testing
Drug Screening
Environmental Toxin Testing
Female Specific Tests
Gastrointestinal Diseases
General Health
General Wellness
Heart Health and Cholesterol
Herpes
HIV
HIV monitoring/Treatment/Testing/Post Diagnos
Hormones and Metabolism
Infectious Diseases
Infertility Testing-Male
Infertitlity Hormone Testing
Kidney Diseases
Leukemia and WBC disorders
Liver
Liver Diseases
Lyme Disease
Male Specific Tests
Menopause/Peri-Menopausal Diagnosis
Organ Specific Testing
Ovarian
Prostate
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Thyroid Diseases
Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment
Visit the Health News Archive: Click Here
Questions about online blood testing or how to order a lab test? Click
here to get started or call us toll-free at
1.877.283.7882. Our certified professionals are ready to assist
you.