amyotrophic lateral sclerosis…

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central nervous system, lou gehrig's disease, als, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, als, the motor nerve cells, in the brain, spinal cord, progressive loss of motor control, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is characterized by progressive loss of motor nerves, in the spinal cord, brain, 10% of cases, als, a genetic defect, in other cases, the nerve deterioration, als affects approximately 1 out of every 100,000 people, except, having a family member affected, the hereditary form, no known risk factors, not develop, after age 50, progressive loss of muscle strength, coordination eventually interfere, the ability to perform routine activities, going up steps, getting out of a chair, swallowing, breathing, swallowing muscles the first to be affected, the disease progresses, muscle groups, patients, become progressively incapacitated, no effect on the ability to think, muscle weakness, decrease in muscle strength, coordination, gradual onset, progressively worsens, commonly involves one limb initially, hand, progresses to difficulty lifting, climbing stairs, walking, paralysis, muscle cramps, voice changes, hoarseness, speech impairment, abnormal speech pattern, difficulty swallowing, gags, chokes, difficulty breathing, increasing effort required to breathe, head drop, due to weak spinal, neck muscles, additional symptoms that associated, muscle contractions, muscle spasms, muscle atrophy, ankle, feet, leg swelling, weight loss, drooling, a neuromuscular examination indicates weakness, beginning in one limb, shoulders, hips, muscle tremors, spasms, twitching, muscle atrophy, loss of tissue, atrophy, twitching, the tongue, common, gait stiff, clumsy, reflexes abnormal, loss, the gag reflex, patients have "emotional incontinence", hard to control crying, laughing, an emg indicates that the motor nerves, not functioning, yet the sensory nerves, a head ct, mri of head, rule out other conditions, family history, a genetic test performed, a breathing test given, respiratory muscles, blood tests, exclude other conditions, similar symptoms, no known cure, als, riluzole, prolong life, does not reverse, stop disease progression, treatment is aimed at controlling the symptoms, baclofen, diazepam, control spasticity that interferes, activities of daily living, trihexyphenidyl, amitriptyline, impaired ability to swallow saliva, physical therapy, rehabilitation, use of appliances, braces, a wheelchair, orthopedic intervention required to maximize muscle function, general health, choking is common, an early need, placement of a tube, stomach, feeding, gastrostomy, a referral to an otolaryngologist advised, a nutritionist is helpful, prevent weight loss, patients, limitied ability to swallow, use of devices to assist in breathing includes machines, used at night, mechanical ventilation, patients should discuss wishes regarding artificial ventilation, emotional support is vital in coping, the disorder, mental functioning is not affected, groups the als association available, assist in coping, the disorder, als, support group, progressive loss of ability to function, care, oneself, death often occurs, 3 to 5 years of diagnosis, rare cases of patients living decades, loss of ability to care, self, inhaling food, fluid, pneumonia, respiratory failure, adult respiratory distress syndrome, skin breakdown, pressure sores, weight loss, symptoms suggest als, family history, the disorder, als has been diagnosed, symptoms worsen, new symptoms develop, increased difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, episodes of apnea, symptoms that, require immediate attention, genetic counseling advised, family history of als.