Most common among women.. Dubai Health Department identifies 6 factors that increase the likelihood of developing multiple sclerosis

The Dubai Health Authority has identified 6 factors that may increase the likelihood of developing multiple sclerosis, stressing that early diagnosis, regular treatment, and family support can make a big difference in the lives of those affected, and help them live with the disease and enjoy a better quality of life.

On the occasion of World Multiple Sclerosis Day, she explained that these factors include “age between 20 and 40 years, more common among women, a family history of the disease, vitamin D deficiency, smoking, and exposure to some types of infections.”

She added that multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system, which is the brain and spinal cord, and results from the immune system attacking the protective covering of the nerves, “myelin,” which leads to disturbances in the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and various parts of the body.

She explained through her digital platforms that the symptoms of the disease vary from one person to another depending on the location of the nerve damage, specifying 4 main symptoms that may appear in those affected, including “weakness or numbness in the extremities, difficulty with balance and the ability to walk, vision and speech disturbances, in addition to extreme fatigue, in addition to various other symptoms.”

She stressed that the disease is not the end of the road, and that although there is no cure for the disease yet, the available treatments achieve three main goals: reducing the number of relapses, slowing the progression of the disease, and improving symptoms, which helps patients continue their lives in a more stable and productive way.

In the context of enhancing community awareness, the Authority stressed the importance of the family’s role in supporting people with multiple sclerosis, stressing that positive family support contributes to enhancing adaptation to the disease, reducing stress, and improving the quality of life.

The Authority reviewed 6 basic steps that family members can follow to support the injured person, including learning about the nature of the disease and its symptoms, providing psychological support and listening to the patient carefully, encouraging him to adhere to treatment and medical follow-up, helping to organize appointments and medications when needed, and promoting the adoption of a healthy lifestyle that includes balanced nutrition, appropriate physical activity, and adequate sleep, in addition to being patient given the variation in symptoms from one day to the next.

She pointed out three practices that should be avoided when dealing with infected people, which are minimizing or ignoring symptoms, imposing effort beyond the patient’s ability, and encouraging complete dependence on others instead of supporting his independence and ability to practice his daily life.

The Dubai Health Authority stressed that multiple sclerosis is not a judgment on the life or future of the affected person, and that medical progress and modern treatments, in addition to psychological and family support, enable patients to control the disease and continue their lives normally and productively, calling on community members to enhance awareness of the disease and provide the necessary support to those afflicted with it.