The Mayo Clinic defines amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as a serious neurological disease that causes muscle limitation, disability and eventually death. ALS also is known as Lou Gehrig's disease, named after the baseball player who passed from the illness in 1941. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis occurs in three out of every 100,000 people.
Cause and Effect
According to the National Institutes of Health, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is caused by a genetic defect in about 10 percent of cases. With the other 90 percent, the cause is unknown. In ALS, the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord begin to begin to waste away or die off and are no longer able to send messages to the muscles. Over time, this leads to muscle weakness and an inability to move the legs, arms and body.
Symptoms
The New York Times explains that symptoms usually will not develop until after age 50. The muscles used for swallowing or breathing are often the first affected, so initial symptoms may be difficulty breathing, gagging while attempting to swallow and choking easily. The muscles will begin to weaken, and those with ALS may be unable to hold up their heads. As the illness progresses, it will lead to paralysis and inability to breathe without mechanical assistance. Other symptoms can include drooling, slow speech patterns, muscle contractions, muscle spasms and weight loss. There is no loss of mental or cognitive functioning.
Diagnosis
In the early stages, this illness often is difficult to diagnose, the Mayo Clinic explains. Doctors will perform a number of tests to rule out other illnesses before diagnosing a person with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Testing may include an EMG (electromyogram) to assess the electrical activity in the muscle, blood and urine tests to eliminate other possible illnesses, a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) to analyze the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord and an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to get a detailed view of the brain and spinal cord.
Treatment
There is no known cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Treatment involves managing symptoms. Riluzole is one medication that can help prolong an ALS patient's life. Baclofen or diazepam often are prescribed to control muscle spasms that can interfere with daily functioning. Physical therapy, a wheelchair and other orthopedic measures may be implemented to allow patients to maintain a certain level of independence. Patients often choose to have a feeding tube placed in the stomach as the illness progresses, due to choking. This is can help prevent or slow weight loss, as patients no longer have to struggle with every meal.
Prognosis
ALS patients eventually will lose the ability to function and care for themselves. Death most often occurs within three to five years of diagnosis. Twenty percent of patients will survive more than five years following prognosis. Having an emotional and physical support system in place can help patient's prolong independence and promote the best possible outcome.
