ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is also called Lou Gehrig’s disease for the baseball player it is formerly known for. It is a fatal neurological disease which disables the neurons, or nerve cells, that work the voluntary muscles. ALS causes these neurons to die, making the muscles unable to function. This leads to muscle weakening and eventual waste away. It has no effect on brain function and cognitive ability.
Death Rate
Statistics show that typically within 3 to 5 years, patients die of respiratory failure. 10 percent of the people that are diagnosed with this condition will live a decade or more. Stephen Hawking is famous for his cognitive function and ability to live well past speculation with ALS.
ALS Symptoms
Some of the signs of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis include twitching, muscle stiffness, cramping, muscle weakness, slurred or nasally speech, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty chewing. This progresses to more weakness or atrophy that may be more noticeable.
Treating ALS
There is no cure for Lou Gehrig’s disease. The FDA has approved one drug for the condition, Riluzole. This drug may reduce motor neuron damage and has shown to increase the life expectancy by many months. It will extend the time that the patient can live off ventilation support. Other drugs may be prescribed to help with fatigue, cramping, muscle spasm, depression, and excess saliva.
Therapists
Some patients will be helped by both physical therapy and speech therapy. They can work together to help increase muscle usage and the ability to talk. Many people with ALS will have difficulty communicating prior to going on ventilation support and can benefit from speech therapy.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients have a primarily short lifespan after diagnosis. Their bodies waste away in both muscle mass and control, usually ending in ventilation support and other support devices. There is still much research needed in this perplexing neurological condition.
Source: ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) Fact Sheet,” NINDS. Publication date February 2010. NIH Publication No. 10-916