Stop smoking and get some Vitamin D, a theme from ECTRIMS

The sun vitamin has an impact
on the course of our MS
(c) cgermans photography, 2013

One of the three themes discussed during this year’s ECTRIMS (European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis) was the “Environmental Triggers” of Multiple Sclerosis. Not surprising, more studies reveal that Vitamin D has an impact on disease course and smoking is really bad for our health, more so for our MS health.

Geez. This makes me wonder, “Good Grief!  Did I get MS because I was addicted to cigarettes for ten years?” Good thing I quite my habit of a pack a day of Marlboro Lights. And, while I am not necessarily getting more sun, I did start taking a daily dose of Vitamin D supplements. Hopefully this gets me on track to lessen the impact of my MS.

So, have a watch of this video, which features three prominent doctors in neurology. Dr. Lublin, Dr. Fox and Dr Wilner discuss the top advances in MS and the most interesting ECTRIMS presentations. You'll have to sign up on Medscape.com to watch the flick but it’s a good update on the chatter of this year’s event. 

Click here to watch the video: Top Advances in MS highlighted from ECTRMIS 2013.

Best always,

Christie

Sources:

Ascherio A, Munger K, White R, et al. Vitamin D as a predictor of multiple sclerosis activity and progression. Program and abstracts of the 29th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis; October 2-5, 2013; Copenhagen, Denmark. Abstract 96.

Hedström AK, Hillert J, Olsson T, Alfredsson L. Smoking and multiple sclerosis susceptibility. Program and abstracts of the 29th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis; October 2-5, 2013; Copenhagen, Denmark. Abstract 118.

Hup ECTRIMS!

Hup Holland! I just had to throw that out there as a daughter of Dutch parents. I also threw it out there because in Amsterdam, the ECTRMIS has started! This is the biggest MS research conference ever with 7,000 people in attendance. Our friends Julie Stachowiak and Kate Milliken are there and will be providing updates as the conference happens.  

I love this quote from Timothy Coetzee, PhD when Kate Milliken spoke with him the day before the conference. It sums up perfectly why it is so important that this event is happening:

“We know more now about MS than ever before and we can actually become more precise about how we treat MS so that we can specifically target the immune system, or perhaps think about repairing the nervous system and even take it to the next generation of stopping the disease forever”.  

Be sure to check the National MS Society blog page where the updates will be posted...[read more here].