Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) also known as motor neuron disease in some countries is a neurological disease that quickly progresses and destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, it affects a person's ability to control the muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe while preserving the mind and the ability to see, hear, touch, feel, and taste. It can starts with muscle twitching or weakness in an arm or leg.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is often called Lou Gehrig's disease, after Hall of Fame baseball player Lou Gehrig of the United States, who died of the disease in 1941.
Types of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
There are three known types of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, including the following:
* sporadic Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - the most common form of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the US. These cases occur randomly, without any known cause, and there is no association with persons in the family with the disease.
* familial Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - suggests that the disease is inherited and accounts for a very small number of cases in the United States.
* Guamanian Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - an extremely high incidence of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has been observed in Guam and the Trust Territories of the Pacific.
Symptoms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis:
Some common symptoms of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis:
* Muscle weakness
* Initial symptoms depend on which muscles affected first
* Tripping
* Falling
* Loss of motor control in hands and arms
* Difficulty speaking
* Difficulty swallowing
* Difficulty breathing
* Persistent fatigue
* Twitching
* Muscle cramps
Causes of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
The following possible causes are being studied by Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis specialists:
Free Radicals
Excess Glutamate
Buildup of Neurofilaments
Defects in Mitochondria
Cell Suicide
Immune System Abnormalities
Viruses and Other Infectious Agents
Toxins
Electrical Injuries
Genes
DOES IT RUN IN THE FAMILY?
The SOD1 Gene
Other Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - Causing Genes have been noted on chromosomes 2, 9, 15, 18 and the X chromosome.
Treatment for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis:
No cure has yet been found for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However drugs can reduce damage to motor neurons by decreasing the release of glutamate.The drugs also extends the time before a patient needs ventilation support.Other treatments for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are designed to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients. This supportive care is best provided by multidisciplinary teams of health care professionals such as physicians; pharmacists; physical, occupational, and speech therapists; nutritionists; social workers; and home care and hospice nurses.
