Smoking and MS - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

MSJayhawk · 06-12-2009, 02:54 PM

In the May/June 2009 issue of Neurology Now, they had info on smoking and MS. The article indicated that smoking increased the risk of MS by 40-80%- the broad range is attributed to the amount smoked. The article also indicated 2nd hand smoke exposure prior to 16 years of age increased MS risk.

Not casting stones, just FYI! I never was exposed to second hand smoke until college.

MSNik · 06-12-2009, 04:39 PM

Jayhawk, I read it too...and called my doctor this morning. My MS doc is a regular contributor to that rag.,..he is FURIOUS saying that the statistics are not accurate, the study was done on a very small amount of people, and not in this country. I actually called the magazine to confirm what he said, and they told me they would get back to me. I believe that these days, smoking is the cause of JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT DOCTORS CANT EXPLAIN.
Seriously, not defending smoking, but if you read twenty different mags, youll get the same answer. Second hand smoke causes just about every single disease which they have no answers on. This article hit me hard. I just buried a relative who died of lung cancer, and never smoked a day in her life...

There might be some truth to this, or there might not be. We all know smoking is bad for us- and breathing it dangerous...but from what Im reading and seeing- mostly its COPD and lung related issues which reflect smokers and second hand breathers...interesting that they are now trying to link a neurological disease? We'll see what comes from this..if I hear back, Ill update.
Nikki