Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, sometimes call ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a disease that attacks the nerve cells (neurons) in the brain and spinal cord that is responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. Both upper and lower motor neurons degenerate/die and are unable to send messages to muscles. Over time, after not being used, the muscles weaken, waste away (atrophy), and twitch (fasciculation’s). ALS promotes the loss of the brains ability to start and control voluntary movement. Eventually muscles in the diaphragm and the chest wall fail and individuals will lose the ability to breathe without the aid of a ventilator. To be diagnosed with ALS, both upper and lower motor neurons are damaged.
ALS is one of the most common neuromuscular diseases worldwide, affecting 5 out of every 100,000 people. It most commonly strikes people between the ages of 40-60 and more men are affected than women. There is not a particular race or ethnic background diagnosed more than the other with ALS. People of all races and ethnic backgrounds are affected. Most of the time the disease will strike at random, but 5-10 percent of ALS cases is inherited. Usually, if inherited, then only one parent has to carry the gene responsible for the disease. This particular gene is still unknown, but there has been research done on superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). SOD1 is an enzyme and a very powerful antioxidant, protecting the body from damage caused by free radicals. If SOD1 is not doing its job likes supposed to then free radicals accumulate and cause damage to the DNA and protein in within the cells. The presence of mutant SOD1 promotes motor neuron degeneration Research is still being done and there has not been successful evidence that causes the disease.
The parts of the body that are affected depend on which muscles in the body are damaged first. Regardless of which area of the body is affected, atrophy and muscle weakness will eventually spread to other parts of the body as the disease progresses. Some of the objective problems associated with the disease are: difficulty speaking (dysarthria), difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), tight and stiff muscles, muscle cramps, muscle twitching, and atrophy of the muscles affected.
Due to not being able to find an underlying cause for the disease, unfortunately there is no cure. There are medications to relieve some of the symptoms, prevent further complications, and prolong life. The medication extends the time before the patient will need ventilation support and extends the time before a feeding tube needs to be placed. With the combination of medications and therapy, a person diagnosed with ALS is expected to live 3-5 years after the onset of symptoms. The disease usually does not affect cognitive functions so a support system is recommended. A plan will need to be made with an interdisciplinary team involving: physical therapy, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and nutritionist/dietician, social worker, in home or hospice nurses, physician, and pharmacist. This team is brought together to keep the patient as mobile and comfortable as possible.
ALS is one of the most common neuromuscular diseases worldwide, affecting 5 out of every 100,000 people. It most commonly strikes people between the ages of 40-60 and more men are affected than women. There is not a particular race or ethnic background diagnosed more than the other with ALS. People of all races and ethnic backgrounds are affected. Most of the time the disease will strike at random, but 5-10 percent of ALS cases is inherited. Usually, if inherited, then only one parent has to carry the gene responsible for the disease. This particular gene is still unknown, but there has been research done on superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). SOD1 is an enzyme and a very powerful antioxidant, protecting the body from damage caused by free radicals. If SOD1 is not doing its job likes supposed to then free radicals accumulate and cause damage to the DNA and protein in within the cells. The presence of mutant SOD1 promotes motor neuron degeneration Research is still being done and there has not been successful evidence that causes the disease.
The parts of the body that are affected depend on which muscles in the body are damaged first. Regardless of which area of the body is affected, atrophy and muscle weakness will eventually spread to other parts of the body as the disease progresses. Some of the objective problems associated with the disease are: difficulty speaking (dysarthria), difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), tight and stiff muscles, muscle cramps, muscle twitching, and atrophy of the muscles affected.
Due to not being able to find an underlying cause for the disease, unfortunately there is no cure. There are medications to relieve some of the symptoms, prevent further complications, and prolong life. The medication extends the time before the patient will need ventilation support and extends the time before a feeding tube needs to be placed. With the combination of medications and therapy, a person diagnosed with ALS is expected to live 3-5 years after the onset of symptoms. The disease usually does not affect cognitive functions so a support system is recommended. A plan will need to be made with an interdisciplinary team involving: physical therapy, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and nutritionist/dietician, social worker, in home or hospice nurses, physician, and pharmacist. This team is brought together to keep the patient as mobile and comfortable as possible.
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