diabetic nerve pain under the microscope at uae physicians’ meetings
Meetings in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Discuss high prevalence of Neuropathic Pain across Patient Groups
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.
early day meba reservations prompts floorplan and chalet line expansion
reservations outstrip expectations
Release date: 29th October 2007
Strong early day reservations for Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) 2008, the dedicated B2B conference and exhibition for the business aviation sector, have prompted organisers Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E) to expand the event’s floorplan and chalet line by up to 50%.
“Sales really took off following a successful push at last month’s National Business Aviation Association event in Atlanta,” explained Alison Weller, Director-Aerospace, F&E. “Major names are already on the floorplan and projections are that the show in November next year could see up to 50 aircraft on static display.”
Recent major-name show signings include: Canada’s TAG Aeronautics, which is the exclusive representative throughout the Arab League and Turkey for the Bombardier range of business jets; the UAE’s flight services provider Palm Aviation; Switzerland’s Jet Aviation business aviation provider and Jet manufacturers Embraer and Gulfstream, who have become platinum sponsors of the event.
The UAE’s Prestige Jet has also taken up platinum sponsorship of MEBA while global fuel, lubricants and services provider Air BP has signed on as silver sponsor for MEBA 2008, which will run at the Airport Expo Dubai from November 16-18.
The recent signings add to an already healthy floorplan with reservations from Dubai World Central, the urban aviation community being built in Jebel Ali, Action Aviation, Finnair, Fokker Services, Bexair, Air Charter International, Execujet , Airbus and Boeing.
“In the space of only two events MEBA now ranks among the top three business aviation shows in the world with its key appeal being the scale and potential of the marketplace which analysts predict will be worth US $800 million by 2012 – that’s double its current estimated value,” explained Weller.
“The massive potential was underscored at this year’s MEBA event which attained an impressive US $907 million on-site declared order book.”
MEBA, which has the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and Chairman of the Emirates group, is organised by F&E on behalf of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA). The event has evolved from a one-day conference in 2005 and, on its second showing this year attracted 90 exhibitors from 20 countries, had 31 aircraft on display and an industry-only visitor turnout of 2,400.
