The Multiple Sclerosis Center

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often debilitating disease that attacks the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

Symptoms

Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness, or severe as paralysis or loss of vision. Typically, MS first appears between the ages of 20 and 50, and affects women twice as often as men. An MS misdiagnosis can be common in the early stages of the disease due to vague symptoms and mild attacks. However, with recent technological advances, doctors are able to confirm or exclude an MS diagnosis much earlier.

Types of Multiple Sclerosis

There are four basic types of MS:

Relapsing-Remitting

The most common form of MS, this type is characterized by a series of attacks followed by periods of complete or partial remission. Attacks can last for days, weeks or months and recovery can be slow and gradual or relatively quick.

Secondary-Progressive

Characterized by a gradual worsening of the disease between relapses, with ultimately lower frequency or lack of relapses, approximately 40 percent of patients with relapsing-remitting MS will go on to develop this form of MS.

Primary-Progressive

This is a form of MS with no remissions, but rather a steady course of progression. Approximately 15 percent of patients initially diagnosed have this type of MS.

Progressive-Relapsing

As with primary-progressive MS, the disease follows a steady course of progression, but the patient also experiences relapses of acute symptoms; only approximately 10-15 percent of patients receive this type of diagnosis.

The Multiple Sclerosis Center at Hoag

Hoag’s Multiple Sclerosis Center focuses on a comprehensive approach to MS care, including:

Diagnoses of the disease
Medical treatment and management of MS symptoms
Promoting mobility for patients with physical impairments
Minimizing secondary complications
Maximizing independence
Improving quality of life
Coping with psychological implications
Providing MS education to patients and their families

Daniel S. Bandari, M.D.
Director of The Multiple Sclerosis Center, Hoag Neurosciences Institute

Daniel S. Bandari, MD, is a fellowship-trained expert in Multiple Sclerosis. He is the previous director of the MS clinic and research group in the Department of Neurology at USC, with many years of experience in treatment and research in Multiple Sclerosis and neuro-immunology.

Expert Patient Care

Hoag’s MS Center offers a broad range of comprehensive services, including:

Expert evaluation, consultation and continuous neurological care for patients with:
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Transverse Myelitis
- Other Demyelinating disorders
Managing MS attacks and relapses through medication, self-care techniques, rehabilitation, and physical and occupational therapy.
Modifying the disease through the use of disease modifying therapies (DMT) – shown to reduce the frequency and severity of MS attacks, as well as the progression of the disease.
Managing the symptoms of MS, such as spasticity, tremors, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, depression and pain through Hoag’s comprehensive program:
- Spasticity clinic
- Neuropsychology clinic
- Infusion center
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Hoag Voice & Swallowing Center
- Hoag Neurobehavioral Medicine Program
Clinical trials of latest advances in management of MS
MS support groups
Patient educational programs and resources
Caregiver support groups

Research

The MS Center is participating in clinical research and provides multiple current and cutting edge clinical trials in MS to qualified patients with innovative treatments including oral and infusible medications for Multiple Sclerosis.

For More Information

If you’ve been experiencing MS-related symptoms or have recently been diagnosed with the disease, please contact us for expert evaluation, diagnosis and more information on finding the right treatment to help manage your condition.

For more information or to make an appointment, please contact Hoag Neurosciences Institute at 949/764-6066.

Join us for a free community education class on Multiple Sclerosis:

Managing Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often debilitating disease that attacks the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness to paralysis or loss of vision. Join us as we discuss the latest medical treatment options and management of MS. Presented by Neurologist, Daniel S. Bandari, M.D., director of Hoag Multiple Sclerosis Center.
Wednesday, November 11, 6pm at Hoag Conference Center, Newport Beach

Contact Us

The Multiple Sclerosis Center
Hoag Neurosciences Institute
One Hoag Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92663
T: 949/764-6066

For more information or to make an appointment, please contact Hoag Neurosciences Institute at 949/764-6066.

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