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12 Surprising Factors That Up Your Risk of MS

Experts don't know what causes multiple sclerosis, but both genes and environment seem to play a role

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What causes MS?

By Denise Mann

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is pretty quirky as far as diseases go. Some of the nuances surrounding who gets it and when continue to baffle experts.

Here’s what they know for sure: MS is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body misfires against its own central nervous system.

What sets off the process is unknown, but is thought to be a combo of genes plus environment. Here are 12 things linked to a higher risk of MS.

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