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What is Transverse Myelitis?

An inflammation that affects both sides of a single spinal cord segment is known as transverse myelitis. This neurological condition frequently destroys the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve cell fibres. The messages sent throughout the body by the spinal cord nerves are disrupted by transverse myelitis. Pain, paralysis, muscle weakness, sensory issues, or problems with the bladder and bowel might result from this.

What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?

Timely treatment of Transverse Myelitis is essential because some patients develop long-term physical impairments, including paralysis, muscle weakness, loss of bladder or bowel function, and muscle stiffness. Physical therapy is crucial to your treatment if you have any of these problems.

What are the symptoms of Transverse Myelitis?

Transverse myelitis signs and symptoms often appear within a few hours to a few days, while they might occasionally appear gradually over a few weeks. Although transverse myelitis usually affects both sides of the body beneath the damaged spinal cord, symptoms might occasionally only appear on one side.

Typical symptoms and indicators include:

  • Pain. Pain from transverse myelitis may start abruptly in your lower back. You may have a sharp pain around your chest or belly, or it may radiate down your arms or legs. Depending on whether the area of your spinal cord is injured, different pains have different symptoms.
  • Unusual feelings. Transverse myelitis patients sometimes experience burning, tingling, coldness, or numbness. Some people are susceptible to extremes in temperature, such as the slightest touch of clothes. You can feel that something is tightly around your legs, abdomen, or chest.
    Your arms or legs are weak. Some people observe that their legs are heavy, that they are dragging one foot, or that they are stumbling. Others might become completely paralysed or experience extreme weakness.
  • Intestinal and bladder issues: Like constipation, urinary retention, bladder control issue and urinary incontinence
  • Sexual dysfunction.

Causes and Risk Factors of Tethered Transverse Myelitis

Causes

It is unknown what specifically causes transverse myelitis. Sometimes, the cause is unknown. Transverse myelitis can be brought on by bacterial, fungal, or viral infections that affect the spinal cord. After recovering from the infection, the inflammatory condition usually manifests.

Risk Factors

Transverse myelitis patients often only have one episode. But issues frequently persist, such as the following:

  • One of the most prevalent and incapacitating long-term effects of the illness is pain
  • Your muscles may feel tight, stiff, or painfully spasm (muscle spasticity). The legs and buttocks are where this occurs most frequently
  • Paralysis of your arms, legs, or both, entirely or partially. After the initial symptoms, this can continue.
  • One common side effect of transverse myelitis is sexual dysfunction. Men may have trouble getting an erection or having an orgasm. Orgasm may be more challenging for women to achieve
  • Because of the substantial lifestyle changes, the stress of chronic pain or disability, and the effect that sexual dysfunction has on relationships, people with long-term difficulties frequently experience depression or anxiety.

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Latest Research and Technologies in the Treatment of Transverse Myelitis in the United Arab Emirates

Recent research in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has enhanced our understanding of and management of transverse myelitis (TM), an acute inflammatory disease of the spinal cord. A multicenter study in Abu Dhabi reported that the Emirati adult prevalence was 2.46 per 100,000, with a mean age of onset of 36 years and a higher incidence in females. The research also determined that 43% of the patients had elevated levels of proteins, reflecting active inflammation, and 36.6% had raised white blood cell counts in cerebrospinal fluid analysis.

Transverse Myelitis Prevention Tips

The prevention of transverse myelitis is unknown. However, there are drugs to stop transverse myelitis bouts from happening again. To lower their risk of further transverse myelitis bouts or optic neuritis, people with antibodies linked to neuromyelitis optica require continuous therapy, such as corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants.

Treatment options for Transverse Myelitis

Plasmapheresis: Plasma exchange therapy may be necessary for patients who do not react to intravenous steroids. This entails taking out the plasma that contains blood cells and substituting it with other fluids. Although this therapy's exact mechanism of action is unknown, plasma exchange may eliminate inflammatory antibodies.


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Immunotherapy: When patients don't respond well to initial steroid treatment, such as methylprednisolone or dexamethasone, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), which involves injecting a concentrated solution of antibodies from healthy donors to help "reset" the immune system, is the main immunotherapy used to treat transverse myelitis.

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  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of your complete spine: MRI is a painless procedure that uses a big magnet, radio waves, and a computer to create comprehensive images of the organs and structures inside your body. For your doctor to distinguish between compressive and non-compressive lesions, you might require two spine MRIs: one with and one without gadolinium contrast.
  • Brain MRI: To check for signs of brain lesions, your doctor may prescribe a brain MRI with and without gadolinium contrast. An MRI of the brain may provide hints of additional underlying causes, including multiple sclerosis.
  • Lumbar puncture, often known as a spinal tap: To obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), your healthcare professional will put a needle into your lower back. The transparent liquid that envelops your brain and spine is called cerebrospinal fluid. The CSF sample is then examined in a lab to check for increased white blood cells, an elevated IgG index, or CSF-specific oligoclonal IgG bands. In TM, these inflammatory indicators are prevalent.
  • Blood tests: To look for the immune system and infection-related causes of TM, your doctor may prescribe several blood tests.

MediRehab (chain of Rehab centres - Part of MediGence) provides comprehensive rehabilitation services to support patients through Teleconsultations and online therapy sessions.

  • Physical therapy: This enhances coordination and strength. You can learn how to use any necessary assistance devices, including braces, canes, or a wheelchair, from your physical therapist.
  • Occupational therapy. This aids individuals with transverse myelitis learn new techniques for daily tasks, including cleaning, cooking, and showering.
  • Psychoanalysis. Anxiety, sadness, sexual dysfunction, and other emotional or behavioural problems resulting from managing transverse myelitis can be treated by a psychotherapist using talk therapy.
  • Depending on the situation, your healthcare professional may prescribe medicine to help control your symptoms and support the treatment plan.

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Hospitals for Transverse Myelitis in United Arab Emirates

Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman

Ajman, United Arab Emirates

Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman located in Ajman, United Arab Emirates is accredited by JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • The hospital has a 250 bed capacity.
  • Excellent quality of healthcare facilities and services at par with developed countries.
  • Multilingual and multinational healthcare professionals working in the Thumbay Hospital Ajman (belonging to 20 nations and fluent in 50 plus languages).
  • Equipped with the newest facilities to ensure highest standards of healthcare delivery to patients at economical costs.
  • Dedicated, compassionate and highly educated healthcare professionals work in Thumbay Hospital Ajman.
  • Well developed diagnostic facilities are also available.
  • A 24/7 functioning emergency care department and advanced facilities in Radiology.
  • There is presence of an ultramodern Catheterization Lab (Cath Lab) and Electrosurgery Cryotherapy in dermatology, Interlocking intramedullary nailing.
  • Also available under dental departments Panoramic, digital intra-oral X-rays, Cephalogram are present.
  • Some of the important specialties in Thumbay Hospital Ajman are:
    • Ear, nose, and throat
    • Cardiovascular
    • Bariatric surgery
    • General surgery
    • Urology
    • Nephrology

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Why Choose the United Arab Emirates for Transverse Myelitis Treatment?

Here are some of the reasons for choosing the United Arab Emirates:

  • Due to advancements in medical facilities, such as minimally invasive surgical techniques and plasmapheresis procedures.
  • World-class experts include highly experienced doctors and JCI-accredited healthcare institutions.
  • Compared to other countries, treatment in United Arab Emirates hospitals is cost-effective.
  • The United Arab Emirates's hospitals provide international patient services, including a multilingual support system.
  • Improved treatment methods and biological therapies.

Frequently Asked Questions

The majority of people heal after three months of the ailment. Healing can take months or even years for some people. About one-third of transverse myelitis patients fully recover. Walking difficulties and gastrointestinal issues are examples of mild disabilities that some people recover from.

The nation's healthcare institutions offer top-notch treatment alternatives, guaranteeing successful outcomes for many patients. Transverse myelitis is effectively treated in the United Arab Emirates, where most patients recover at least partially, which is on par with international standards.

Yes, many UAE hospitals offer the following for Transverse Myelitis treatment:

  • Advanced diagnostic tools like MRI, CT scan, electromyography, and PET scan for accurate diagnoses of Transverse Myelitis.
  • Skilled neurologists, surgeons and therapists performing plasmapheresis and immunotherapy to treat Transverse Myelitis.
  • Comprehensive post-surgery care and rehabilitation for long-term health benefits

Always consider the following factors when selecting United Arab Emirates hospitals:

  • Hospitals that are accredited (authorised by JCI).
  • Patient reviews and success rates.
  • Hospitals that provide seamless care to patients from abroad.

The healing process from transverse myelitis can take several months, even though some people recover with minimal or no long-term issues. Some people may experience long-term impacts that impair their capacity to carry out daily chores.

The majority of people only experience one transverse myelitis episode. However, some people can experience a recurrence. Some transverse myelitis patients develop long-term physical impairments, including paralysis, muscle weakness, loss of bladder or bowel function, and muscle stiffness.