Casa Colina offering free multiple sclerosis seminar

Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation's Multiple Sclerosis Center will offer a free seminar on "Living With Multiple Sclerosis" from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 18 at Casa Colina's Tamkin Education Center, Building 1D, 255 E. Bonita Ave.

Among the featured speakers are members of Casa Colina's Multiple Sclerosis Center, including neurologist Richard Shubin, who is the program's medical director; Gail Hartley, nurse practitioner and MS certified nurse; and Kathy San Martino, physical therapist, neurological clinical specialist and MS certified specialist.

Topics to be discussed include new medication for MS patients, disease modifying treatments, and rehabilitation tools and techniques.

Educational materials will be available in addition to a chance to participate in a question-and-answer session with the seminar speakers.

Figures from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society indicate about 400,000 Americans have MS, according to a statement from Casa Colina.

Around the world, MS affects about 2.5 million people.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system thought to be an autoimmune disorder, the statement said.

The disease can cause blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, memory and concentration issues, paralysis, blindness and other problems.

For more seminar information or to reserve a seat, go to www.casacolina.org or call 866-724-4132.