Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a subspecialty of the Neurology Division. Within this subspecialty, a broad spectrum of medications is administered for high efficacy depending on the patient's life planning. Equally, physiotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are used to treat pain and mental disorders (e.g. anxiety and depression). Occupational therapy is also employed to overcome any difficulties with daily activities.
Multiple Sclerosis affects around 2000 people in the UAE, with women being 3 times more likely to develop it than men, and 28 being the average age of developing it. At SSMC, our youngest MS patient is 10 years old.
MS encompasses a variety of symptoms that can be diagnosed and treated. Relapsing-remitting is the most prevalent form at 92% in the UAE, with Secondary Progressive and Primary Progressive being the other possible types. Also, there's what we call "Benign", a fourth type that has been proven to be very rare.
Why choose SSMC?
Our multidisciplinary team of experts is dedicated to the physical, mental, and social well-being of our patients. At SSMC, the Division of Neurology works cohesively as one entity not only to mitigate the symptoms of the condition but also to nurture the psychological health of our patients. We aim to build solid relationships and connectivity based on mutual understanding, kindness, and companionship. We want to be a shoulder our patients can lean on. Our authentic approach allows us to foster intimacy with our patients, as well as to promote efficiency when treating those suffering from such neurological diseases.
Diagnosis
Our world-renowned team of multidisciplinary experts uses differential diagnosis and examines patients' medical histories to check symptoms individually and collectively for the diagnosis of MS.
Doctors then obtain a set of tests (e.g. MRI, blood tests, and lumbar puncture) to check and assess the condition, utilizing the latest and most advanced medical technologies.
MS symptoms include muscle weakness and numbness in one or more limbs, uncoordinated movements, and vision impairments such as loss of vision and double/blurry vision in one or both eyes.
Slurred speech, constant fatigue, dizziness, and problems in the functions of the bladder may also be symptoms. In addition, having a tingling sensation skin to an electric shock when doing certain neck movements, especially bending the neck forward, is an evident symptom.
Treatments
MS has no known cure. However, our primary objective is to curb the progression of its symptoms. To assess the progression of the condition, our doctors' lookout for the parameters of NEDA (NO Evidence of Disease Activity) which include the absence of clinical relapses, disease progression, and new disease activity in MRI scans. In this case, it is considered NEDA 3 — this is what our doctors aim to reach when it comes to limiting the progression of a condition. There is also NEDA 4, which can be included if the brain is not affected by atrophy.
