What Causes a Relapse?
Relapses are caused by the inflammation that occurs when your immune system attacks the myelin that surrounds nerves in your brain or spinal cord. When the myelin is attacked by immune cells, a lesion or an area of inflammation and eventual damage (demyelination) occurs, making the nerves less efficient in conducting signals. Your symptoms depend on the location of this lesion. For instance, inflammation in the cerebellum can cause loss of balance and coordination, while inflammation of the optic nerves can cause decreased vision.
Question
Can an infection cause a relapse?
No one knows, exactly, what happens before an attack, but attacks seem to occur more frequently after an infection, such as a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Several studies have shown that there is an increased risk of exacerbations in the first four weeks after an infection.
Some studies have sought to determine whether stress is a contributory factor in a relapse. The results of these studies are not definitive. There is also no clinical proof that trauma or surgery can trigger a relapse.
Another trigger for attacks occurs in women during the three months after the delivery of a child. It is important to recognize that the risk for an attack is mildly increased during this time and that pregnancy itself actually decreases the risk for attacks.
A relapse is typically unpredictable and occurs without warning. Until research fleshes out the cause of relapse in MS, the best advice is to learn to live with the uncertainty while maintaining an optimistic attitude. Of course, staying on track with your treatment plan can decrease the number of relapses you experience.
