Newer, highly effective medications mean that MS outcomes are improving and that there's a lot to be hopeful about. This episode isn't meant to scare you, but to clarify what it means to die due to complications from MS, so that you can minimize your risk factors and live your best possible life. 

Did too much red wine and a book of spells give me MS? Almost certainly not. But that didn't stop me from worrying about every questionable decision I'd ever made that (I thought) might have caused my MS. Today's episode of the Tripping On Air podcast is a cheeky look at fact and way-off fiction as Alex and I dig into 10 of the biggest myths about MS. 

Trippers, this podcast is not medically reviewed, but here's some clarification. According to the CDC, "Epstein-Barr virus, or EBV, is one of the most common human viruses in the world. It spreads primarily through saliva. EBV can cause infectious mononucleosis, also called mono, and other illnesses. Most people will get infected with EBV in their lifetime and will not have any symptoms." 

You can learn more about EBV and its relationship to Multiple Sclerosis at MS Canada who reports that: "After infection by EBV, the immune system produces antibodies against an invading virus and its proteins, and these antibodies also target the host’s myelin due to similarities between the proteins, triggering an autoimmune response. Molecular mimicry is one potential mechanism for how EBV infection may trigger MS."

The Tripping On Air podcast should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your doctor with questions about your health or before kissing any frogs. 

From cool canes, to sporty trekking poles, to rollators that are literally transformative, mobility aids make life better…eventually. The transition to progressive MS is hard, and freaking out is a reasonable reaction. Grieve. And when you’re ready, tune in to this month’s episode for tips on how to find the right mobility aids that will work for you.