Smoking linked to multiple sclerosis, says study

[Guest guest]

Smoking linked to multiple sclerosis, says study

29.10.2003

By STEVE CONNOR

Smokers are at greater risk of developing multiple sclerosis, says a

study that has established the first clear link between smoking and

the nerve disease.

Scientists found that smokers in their 40s were almost twice as likely

as non-smokers to develop MS in later life, with male smokers having

2.7 times the risk.

The study examined 87 multiple sclerosis patients in a sample of

22,312 people between the ages of 40 and 47 living in the Norwegian

county of Hordaland.

The aim was to identify the environmental factors that increase the

chances of developing MS.

Professor Trond Riise, of the University of Bergen, said the findings

meant the chances of developing multiple sclerosis rose from a typical

risk of one in 1000 for the general population to about two in 1000 if

a person had smoked in the past.

" This is the first time that smoking has been established as a risk

factor, but smoking is not a necessary precondition because there are

some multiple sclerosis patients who have never smoked, " Professor

Riise said.

A study two years ago of women nurses in America discovered a slight

increase in the risk of multiple sclerosis among those who smoked but

this earlier research, with two prospective studies in Britain which

also indicated a possible link, was considered to be inconclusive.

Although the latest research in Norway did not shed any light on the

causes of multiple sclerosis, or the precise mechanism whereby smoking

could increase the risk, the findings were nevertheless clearly linked

with cigarettes, Professor Riise said.

" This is one more reason for young people to avoid smoking. "

Multiple sclerosis is an auto-immune disease brought about when the

body's immune defences attack the fatty sheath of material that

normally insulates and protects the nerve cells of the brain and

spinal cord.

The causes of the disease are believed to be a combination of genetic

factors and environmental influences, such as viral infections that

damage the central nervous system.

Professor Riise said the link with cigarettes might be because smokers

were in general more prone to viral infections of the throat.

It is also known that smoking weakens the important tissue barrier

between the blood and the brain, perhaps increasing the risk of

viruses affecting the central nervous system.

" There are several plausible mechanisms that could explain why smokers

are at significantly higher risk than non-smokers, " he said.

" Smoking is known, for instance, to interfere generally with the

immune system.

" Or it could be the direct toxic effects of nicotine. "

- INDEPENDENT

MS Society of Auckland

[Guest guest]

This is from LAST October, it's already been ripped to shreds a few times.

----- Original Message -----

From: bills944

low dose naltrexone

Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2004 15:05

Subject: [low dose naltrexone] Smoking linked to multiple sclerosis, says study

Smoking linked to multiple sclerosis, says study29.10.2003By STEVE CONNORSmokers are at greater risk of developing multiple sclerosis, says a study that has established the first clear link between smoking and the nerve disease.

[Guest guest]

Lets rip it some more. What a crock of BS. They can waist time and

money blaming smoking. But they won't look at LDN even when some are

saying they feel better on it.