Meetings in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Discuss high prevalence of Neuropathic Pain across Patient Groups
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates : Doctors from across the UAE are meeting in special assemblies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai this week to discuss the ongoing rise in the number of patients suffering from neuropathic pain, and to outline potential treatment options.
The meeting are being held this week in preparation of World Diabetes Day, set to be marked on November 14th, 2007.
Caused by lesions or dysfunctions in the nervous system, neuropathic (nerve) pain causes burning, tingling or shock-like sensations in patients over an ongoing period. Specialists believe that the condition is often misdiagnosed and poorly managed in the Middle East, even though it is high prevalent.
In particular, the high prevalence of diabetes among the population in the UAE is resulting in an increase in the number of sufferers from neuropathic pain.
Nearly half of all people with diabetes in the UAE and across the Gulf region will develop some form of nerve damage leading to diabetic peripheral neuropathy - an often debilitating condition.
Dr. Mohammed Saadah, Consultant Neurologist and President of the Emirates Neurology Society, explains: "Diabetic nerve pain begins in the nervous system from nerve damage caused when blood sugar levels are too high. Damaged nerves become over-excited and fire too many signals throughout the body, resulting in pain."
"With the rise in patients with type two diabetes, we are also seeing a rise in the incidence of nerve pain," he added.
The Abu Dhabi and Dubai sessions, led by international expert Bruce D. Nicholson, MD, will examine some of the recent medical breakthroughs in this area, including the development of Lyrica (pregabalin capsules), a new treatment which is believed to work by calming hyper-excited neurons. Lyrica is the first medication approved by the FDA for relieving Diabetic nerve pain.
Doctors using this treatment have recognised its effectiveness, and the benefits of using it as an alternative to strong narcotics in cases of severe examples, such as central neuropathic pain.
The meetings also discussed the potential for raising awareness of the challenges of diabetic nerve pain for both patients and physicians ahead of World Diabetes Day.
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© Press Release 2007