Multiple sclerosis is a chronic pathology that mainly affects the work of the brain and spinal cord. The disease most often affects young people, and modern medicine, unfortunately, cannot yet offer a full-fledged medicine. It is not easy to hear such a diagnosis, but do not give up. In Moscow there are many clinics specializing in therapy, which alleviates most of the symptoms and slows the progression of the disease. What is multiple sclerosis? Is treatment in Moscow free of charge or only for money? What reviews do patients of metropolitan clinics leave? We will try to consider these issues in detail in our article.
What is multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease in which the spinal cord and brain are affected. This is an autoimmune pathology, that is, the body, under the influence of a factor, begins to perceive its cells as foreign and to fight them.
In sclerosis, lymphocytes are aggressively tuned to myelin protein, gradually destroying it. Because of this, sclerotic plaques appear on the nerve fiber. If the disease is actively progressing, then their number increases, worsening the quality of human life. This phase is generally considered relapse. However, with the help of modern medicine, the process of demyelination can be slowed down and for a while to stop multiple sclerosis. Treatment in Moscow can be carried out free of charge in state institutions if the patient has a special quota.
There are several types of the course of multiple sclerosis. Not only related symptoms, but also life expectancy depend on them. The following types of this disease are distinguished:
- Benign - the most favorable and common option. It proceeds in the form of temporary relapses, after which there comes a complete or partial improvement in the patient's condition.
- Secondary progressive - an option that arises from inadequate therapy with a benign form. Unfortunately, this type of treatment is worst treated. Exacerbations become more frequent, and the patient's condition worsens.
- Primary progressive - an option when the disease develops rapidly in just 1-2 years.
- Progressive - a significant deterioration in a person’s condition occurs from the very beginning of the disease. In addition, frequent exacerbations accompany it.
Causes of the disease and risk factors
Modern medicine does not yet know the exact cause of multiple sclerosis. The best neurologists believe that this pathology can begin from a lack of vitamin D in the human body. It is known that the disease most often affects young people up to 40-50 years old. In addition, it is diagnosed in women much more often, however, sclerosis is much easier for them. As a rule, doctors identify the following risk factors that increase the likelihood of this disease:
- heredity, since it is believed that a certain set of genes may be responsible for the formation of pathology;
- living in the northern climate zone, because due to the small number of warm and sunny days, people begin to suffer from a lack of vitamin D;
- severe stress;
- frequent viral and infectious diseases that weaken the body;
- improper nutrition, in which a person receives an insufficient amount of vitamins;
- surgery or head injury.
How to recognize a disease?
Pathology develops gradually, so the first symptoms of the disease begin to appear when most of the nerve fibers have been affected. Therefore, at the initial stage, it is almost impossible to detect multiple sclerosis. Symptoms in women and men usually manifest as impaired motor function:
- muscle weakness;
- hand tremor;
- impaired coordination;
- numbness and tingling of the limbs.
If the disease is not treated, then it begins to progress. To the above symptoms are added:
- visual impairment, the appearance of myopia or even strabismus, double vision;
- difficulty urinating or urinary incontinence;
- constant feeling of tiredness;
- frequent and causeless dizziness.
In severe cases of the disease, patients may suffer from difficulty swallowing, staggering when walking, impaired mental ability and speech. 2-3% of people also have epileptic seizures.
Can Multiple Sclerosis Be Cured?
The medicine for multiple sclerosis, which could completely eliminate the disease, is still unknown to medicine. Patients suffering from this disease are usually prescribed therapy aimed at eliminating specific symptoms of the disease. It can significantly improve the quality of human life. Also, drugs that support the immune system and hormonal
body background. To eliminate exacerbations, corticosteroid and pathogenetic agents are selected . Studies note that light physical activity and spa treatment benefit.
The stem cell transplant operation is an innovative technology for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, which began to be put into practice only 10-15 years ago. Some neurologists consider it a breakthrough in the treatment of this ailment. However, such a procedure is extremely expensive and is not suitable for all patients.
Diagnosis of the disease
If you suspect that you have symptoms of the disease, then you should not delay the examination. As a rule, the initial appointment of the patient is carried out by a general practitioner or neurologist in a community hospital. You can also be examined in one of the private clinics in Moscow. If you suspect multiple sclerosis, the doctor prescribes an MRI of the brain and some parts of the spinal column. If there are many foci of damage to the central nervous system in the pictures, then the diagnosis is confirmed. If a disease such as multiple sclerosis is detected, treatment in Moscow is better to start immediately. Additionally, the doctor may prescribe an immunological blood test or electromyography procedure . To clarify or refute the diagnosis, the patient can contact another neurological clinic in the city.
Multiple sclerosis treatment in Moscow: clinics
To get quality medical care in the capital, you need to register at the clinic at the place of residence. As a rule, there patients receive part of the drugs for treatment for free. Full treatment can be done in specialized centers that are funded by the state. They provide free assistance to patients who have received a quota, but for the money they can be examined by anyone. In addition, you can undergo treatment in private clinics. The best neurologists usually work in them. Such hospitals also have the best equipment and use innovative therapy. At the same time, only trusted institutions should be selected in order to avoid the risk of poor-quality treatment. Otherwise, it can only aggravate the course of the disease.
We list 3 main municipal institutions that deal with patients who suffer from multiple sclerosis:
- City Clinical Hospital No. 24, namely its branch - City Clinical Hospital No. 11, where the Moscow center for the treatment of multiple sclerosis is open;
- Scientific Center of Neurology RAMS;
- National Medical and Surgical Center named after N.I. Pirogov.
Moscow City Center for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Not only metropolitan residents, but also patients from all over Russia strive to get treatment here. In the north of the capital is the Center for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in Moscow. His address is as follows: Dvintsev street , house 6, building 1. It is located on the territory of the City Clinical Hospital No. 11. It was founded in 1937. More than 7,000 patients suffering from a variety of diseases, including multiple sclerosis, receive help here every year. The center provides advisory assistance to patients, and also accepts them for treatment in a hospital. As a rule, they all live in the Moscow region, however, with the permission of the Department of Health, several places have been allocated for nonresident patients.
Hospitalization in the center is carried out under a health insurance contract in order of priority. To get a place in the hospital, you need to provide a passport, a referral from your doctor and an extract from the medical record. For patients with multiple sclerosis, 285 beds were allocated. The advisory department of the center is open on weekdays from 08:00 to 16:30. Admission to the hospital is carried out around the clock. On the basis of City Clinical Hospital No. 24 (its branch is Hospital No. 11) there is also a palliative medicine center that accepts patients with severe illness for symptomatic treatment.
Scientific Center of Neurology RAMS
Another major institution involved in the reception of patients with multiple sclerosis is the Scientific Center of Neurology of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. He specializes in the diagnosis and innovative treatment of any diseases associated with the activity of the brain. It is based on the Sixth Neurological Department, which accepts patients with demyelinating pathologies, and the Federal Research Center, which is engaged in research of new methods of treatment of multiple sclerosis. In the hospital, Muscovites can undergo a full diagnosis of the brain and spinal cord to detect the presence of the disease. The department also treats patients in the acute stage and in relapses. It is possible to undergo immunomodulating treatment in order to stop the progression of sclerosis.
The address of this research institute of neurology: Moscow, Volokolamsk highway, house 80. The decision about hospitalization here is made by a special medical commission. The patient must provide her with the results of an outpatient study that he underwent at the Science Center. A referral to the department from the attending physician is also necessary. There is the possibility of examination and treatment on the basis of a day hospital, which operates from 08:00 to 12:00 on weekdays. Admission to it is also carried out by decision of the commission.
National Medical and Surgical Center named after N.I. Pirogov
Modern medicine is progressing every year in the treatment of immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Treatment in Moscow involves not only supportive and symptomatic therapy, but also surgical operations, such as stem cell transplantation. It is held at the N.I. Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Center, namely in the department of hematology, chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation. An operation is carried out only if there is an appropriate state quota. The decision on hospitalization is made when considering extracts from the patient’s medical records, which indicate the results of his analyzes confirming the diagnosis.
More than 100 bone marrow and stem cell transplant operations are performed annually in the department. The decision on transplantation is made strictly individually after a detailed examination of the patient. It is not carried out to patients who are in an advanced stage of sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis treatment in Moscow: cost
All of the above centers provide a range of paid services, which include the treatment of multiple sclerosis. As a rule, their cost depends on the type of procedures. For example, a neurologist’s consultation will cost about 1,500–3,500 rubles. The most expensive treatment is stem cell transplantation. Before carrying out it requires a full examination of the patient, an assessment of the severity of his disease. Depending on the chosen medical institution, the cost of surgery can vary from 250,000 to 800,000 rubles. The price includes all the necessary examinations and consultations of doctors, the isolation of stem cells from the patient and the introduction of the obtained cells into his body, as well as the patient's stay in the hospital. The decision on the cost of the procedure is made individually.
Is it possible to undergo treatment in Moscow for free?
You can get free treatment for multiple sclerosis in Moscow, although obtaining a quota can be difficult. First, the patient should receive a referral to the clinic in which he is observed at the place of residence. It should indicate that the patient urgently needs surgery. The direction along with the documents of the person are sent to a specific medical institution, from where the answer should come within 10 days. You can also ask for a quota at the Department of Health. As a rule, Muscovites get a free treatment in the capital is much easier.
Reviews of patients treated in Moscow
The treatment of multiple sclerosis in Moscow is called innovative. After all, only here can stem cell transplantation be done in Russia. In general, they call the therapy in medical centers effective. It is easier to get a full examination of the body and free medications that slow the progression of multiple sclerosis.
Nonresident patients sometimes note that the capital's free health care in ordinary clinics differs little from the regional one.