Multiple Sclerosis Regional Program
VA Houston is committed to supporting Veterans with Multiple Sclerosis to live a full and productive life, offering a complete spectrum of health care services.
About Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complex neurologic disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS) which includes the brain, spinal cord, and vision pathways. In MS, the immune system attacks the myelin sheath, the fatty tissue that surrounds and protects nerve fibers, as well as the nerve fibers themselves.
This damage is called demyelination and the scar tissues that develop when myelin is damaged are called sclerosis, also known as lesions or plaques. When any part of the myelin sheath or nerve fiber is damaged or destroyed, nerve impulses traveling to and from the brain and spinal cord are distorted or interrupted, causing a wide variety of symptoms.
Sometimes the myelin can repair itself and the MS symptoms go away after the immune attack, or relapse. However, over time, the myelin and underlying nerve fibers cannot recover and suffer permanent damage. This may lead to a decline in function depending on the disease course.
Multiple Sclerosis care
The VA’s MS health care team is here to:
- Support Veterans and their family,
- Work with Veterans to improve their overall health,
- Introduce Veterans to medications and strategies to help them manage their MS and the symptoms associated with MS, and
- Help Veterans achieve their physical, psychological, vocational, and social goals.
Our MS health care team works with Veterans and their families to develop an individualized plan for managing Veterans' health. We encourage Veterans to learn as much as they can about MS and actively engage in their care.
| Adaptive Home Improvements | Hospice Care | Respiratory Therapy | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Home Improvements | Adaptive Equipment | Hospice Care | Independent Living Programs | Respiratory Therapy | Respite Care |
| Adaptive Home Improvements | Adaptive Technology | Hospice Care | Long-Term Care Centers | Respiratory Therapy | Social Workers |
| Adaptive Home Improvements | Blind Rehabilitation | Hospice Care | Neuropsychology | Respiratory Therapy | Spasticity Management |
| Adaptive Home Improvements | Bowel and Bladder Management | Hospice Care | Nursing care | Respiratory Therapy | Speech and Swallowing Therapy |
| Adaptive Home Improvements | Caregiver Support and Training | Hospice Care | Occupational Therapy | Respiratory Therapy | Telehealth |
| Adaptive Home Improvements | Driver Training | Hospice Care | Pain Management | Respiratory Therapy | Vocational Rehabilitation |
| Adaptive Home Improvements | Exercise Programs | Hospice Care | Physical Therapy | Respiratory Therapy | Vocational Rehabilitation |
| Adaptive Home Improvements | Fall Prevention | Hospice Care | Preventative Care | Respiratory Therapy | Wheelchair Seating |
| Adaptive Home Improvements | Home Health Aides | Hospice Care | Psychology | Respiratory Therapy | Whole Health |
| Adaptive Home Improvements | Home Modifications | Hospice Care | Recreational Therapy | Respiratory Therapy | Memory Assessment/Treatment |
Multiple Sclerosis clinic
VA Houston MS Clinic has been designated a Regional Program within the VA MS Centers of Excellence national network of MS Regional and MS Support Programs.
Hours: Every Monday from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Location: Building 102, on the second floor, in the neurology clinic area.
Make an Appointment
To make an appointment, contact our Neuro Care Call Center at 713-794-7841 to request an appointment. If you are receiving care outside the VA, we will request your medical records for review. If you are having difficulty making an appointment, please contact our MS coordinator at 713-791-1414, ext. 26281.