According to the Malaysian Rare Disorders Society (MRDS), a rare form of disease known as Melas or mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes has the possibility of striking Malaysians.

According to a Kuala Lumpur Hospital neurologist, Melas disorder has a prevalence of one in 4,000 individuals worldwide and there are such cases in the country and in the event of being inflicted people must come forward early for treatment.

A special test needs to be done to confirm Melas besides a tomography before a patient can be referred to a rehabilitation physician for additional treatment including physiotherapy and other physical therapy.

Melas affects the nervous system and there are currently around 20 cases that have been identified and the patients range from teenagers to adults in their early 40s with an equal probability of affecting males and females.

MRDS stated that a patient can develop it as early as 10 years of age and the onset typically presents as recurrent attacks of epileptic seizures, stroke episodes or stroke involving sudden neurological symptoms.

These episodes could weaken half of the body and affect their vision, intellectual function and ability to speak besides causing disturbances to mental health and cognitive functions, heart problems, diabetes and chronic fatigue.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE