Find Top Doctors Who Treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis By State

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a terminal neurological disease that affects voluntary muscle movements. Lou Gehrig's disease is named after the famous baseball player who died from it. A person with ALS will experience muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually death as nerve cells gradually degenerate and die. ALS can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity, but it is more prevalent in people between 40 and 60 years old. We will discuss how to prevent, recognize, and treat ALS in this blog post.

Causes of ALS

It is unknown what causes ALS, but it is believed to be a complex interaction between genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

  • Genetics: You may inherit genes that increase or decrease your risk of developing ALS or affect how your nerve cells function. About 10% of ALS cases are familial, meaning they run in families. The most common gene mutation associated with familial ALS is in the SOD1 gene, which encodes an enzyme that protects the nerve cells from oxidative stress.

  • Environment: You may be exposed to toxins or infections that affect your nerve cells or immune system. For example, heavy metals, pesticides, or viruses can damage your nerve cells or trigger inflammation in your brain or spinal cord.

  • Lifestyle: You may have habits or behaviors that affect your nerve cell health or metabolism. For example, smoking, drinking alcohol, eating unhealthy food, or being physically inactive can increase your risk of ALS.

Symptoms of ALS

ALS symptoms vary depending on the type and severity of the condition and the affected muscles.

  • Sporadic ALS: This type accounts for about 90% of ALS cases and occurs randomly without any known cause or family history.

  • Familial ALS: This type accounts for about 10% of ALS cases and occurs due to inherited gene mutations.

The most common muscles affected by ALS are those in the arms, legs, face, mouth, and throat. Some of the common symptoms include:

  • Muscle weakness and wasting

  • Muscle twitching and cramps

  • Difficulty walking, speaking, swallowing, or breathing

  • Changes in voice quality or volume

  • Drooling or choking

  • Weight loss and loss of appetite

  • Cognitive or behavioral changes such as depression, anxiety, or dementia

It is possible for people with ALS to have no symptoms or only mild discomfort.

Diagnosis of ALS

The diagnosis of ALS is based on a comprehensive evaluation that involves several steps:

  • You will be asked about your symptoms, medical history, family history, and possible risk factors for ALS by your doctor.

  • You will be examined by your doctor for signs of weakness, wasting, twitching, or spasticity, as well as reflexes, sensation, coordination, and balance.

  • Your doctor will conduct some tests to assess your nerve function and rule out other possible causes of your symptoms. These tests may include:

    • During an electromyography (EMG), you can see if there is any damage or dysfunction to the nerve cells or muscle fibers in your muscles.

    • The Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) measures the speed and strength of the signals traveling along your nerves. It can indicate whether your nerve impulses are blocked or slowed down.

    • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of your brain and spinal cord. It can detect abnormalities and lesions in your nervous system.

Treatment of ALS

Although ALS cannot be cured, there are treatments that can slow down its progression and improve the quality of life for patients and their caregivers. These treatments include:

  • Medicines for ALS are drugs that affect the chemicals in the brain that are involved in nerve cell function or muscle movement. Common medications for ALS include:

    • Rilutek (Riluzole) is a drug that blocks the action of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that can damage nerve cells if it is too high. It can help prolong the survival of people with ALS.

    • Edaravone (Radicava) slows down the decline of physical function in people with ALS by reducing oxidative stress, which causes too many free radicals to harm nerve cells.

    • People with ALS may benefit from baclofen (Lioresal) or tizanidine (Zanaflex) by reducing spasticity, which is a condition where the muscles are stiff and tight.

    • In ALS, antidepressants or antianxiety drugs can help with mood and emotional problems, as well as sleep and appetite problems. Sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa), or lorazepam (Ativan) are examples of antidepressant or antianxiety medications.

  • Interventions that do not use drugs to improve the physical, mental, and social aspects of ALS include the following:

    • Physiotherapy uses exercises and stretches to maintain muscle strength, flexibility, and range of motion. It can also help prevent contractures, which are permanent shortenings of muscles or tendons.

    • As well as help with daily tasks such as dressing, eating, and bathing, occupational therapy can also help you adapt to changes in your environment.

    • Therapy for speech problems involves techniques and tools that can help with communication and swallowing issues, as well as voice quality and volume.

    • A respiratory therapy involves devices and treatments that help with breathing problems, coughing, and clearing the lungs of secretions.

    • It involves supplements and diets that can provide your body with essential nutrients for nerve cell health and function. It can also aid in weight management and hydration.

  • Supportive care: This involves providing comfort, relief, and assistance to the patients and their caregivers. It can help improve the quality of life and well-being of the patients and their caregivers. Pain management, palliative care, hospice care, psychological counseling, social work, or home care services are examples of supportive care.

Prevention of ALS

You cannot prevent ALS, because it is a rare and unpredictable disease that can strike at any time. However, you can reduce your risk of developing it or delay its onset. Some of the things you can do are:

  • Make sure you don't expose your nerve cells or immune system to toxins or infections.

  • Diabetes, thyroid disorders, and autoimmune diseases can all cause or worsen ALS. Make sure you follow your doctor's advice and treatment plan.

  • Ensure your body gets the essential nutrients it needs for nerve cell health and function by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking supplements if necessary.

  • If you notice any signs or symptoms of ALS, seek medical attention immediately.

ALS is a fatal neurological disease that affects the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movements. It causes muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually death. It can affect anyone of any age, gender, or ethnicity. Taking steps to protect yourself and others from ALS can be as simple as knowing its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Featured Articles

You deserve better healthcare!