Here's Your Sign!

I am reminded that the venous condition we share is congenital. That is not synonymous with hereditary as we don’t know the causal factor or factors. They could be caused by infection during pregnancy, nutritional deficiencies of iodine, riboflavin, vitamin A, toxins or other unknown factors. That MS can be passed genetically is a well accepted theory.

It can be very confusing for individuals trying to gain an understanding of illnesses, conditions, abnormalities and disorders to understand the difference between a congenital illness or disease and a hereditary condition or disease. While both may seem as though they are present from birth, it actually does make a difference how and when an illness, disease or condition is contracted as to whether it is considered hereditary or congenital.

A congenital condition is one that develops not from the family history or genetics,but from influences which occur while the child is still in-utero. At various stages of fetal development, the fetus may be sensitive or at risk for abnormalities and disabilities - such as congenital heart, venous and other organ defects. Whether due to environmental factors, the health or condition of the mother, or for unknown reasons, a fetus may develop an illness, disease, condition or other abnormality that will be present when he or she is born.

A congenital condition cannot be passed on from parent to child. If a child is born with a congenital defect - even one that is rather severe - if he or she can otherwise produce a baby, the likelihood is that a normal child will result. But with a hereditary or genetic abnormality, it may very well be passed on from generation to generation.

To further complicate things, some illnesses and conditions are deemed hereditary - such as some mental illnesses and diabetes, but just having a predisposition for the illness does not necessarily mean it will develop. This has caused great concern for those of us with CCSVI as to whether or not we can pass this condition on to our progeny. A partial answer is that we know Vitamin D, trauma, stress, and other factors have long been held as possible causal factors in MS. It would seem likely that many environmental factors would be the same in family groups.

Our doctors have found that we all have different blockages, strictures and venous anomalies when they perform the venoplasty. This accounts for much of the disparity in improvement results. Personally, I have always been curious about the vast variety and severity in MS symptoms. We are only beginning to learn about the critical importance and variety of functions of the endothelium. This a breakthrough in our, or at least in my understanding of venous health. The medical establishment may realize that this “sewer system” deserves their respect.

Education is the key to convincing others what we all see too clearly. Although I firmly believe that the fund raising and academic types have known all along that they made the wrong turn at the fork in the road marked “honesty& integrity” and took a flying leap to the “$$$$sign. They are now getting an up close and personal look at the big yellow triangular “Watch for Falling Rocks” post on their chosen trail. Soon they should run right into the “Dead End” sign planted directly in front of their faces.