Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig's disease, affects the motor neurons, which control voluntary movement such as walking. MedlinePlus from the National Institutes of Health notes that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis affects one in 100,000 people. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis causes the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord to degenerate, causing weakening of the muscles.
Problems Eating
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis causes patients to gag or choke easily. As the disease progresses, these problems can worsen, causing malnutrition, dehydration and weight loss. Some amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients may aspirate their food or liquids, meaning they breathe them into their lungs. The food aspiration can cause pneumonia, which is an infection of the lung. Symptoms of pneumonia include shortness of breath, coughing, shaking chills and fever. By using a feeding tube, which delivers the patient's food right to her stomach, patients can overcome these eating problems.
Inability to Care for Self
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis causes muscle weakness, which can make it difficult for patients to walk, climb stairs or lift objects. Muscle problems from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can also cause muscle spasms, tremors and twitching. Muscle weakness can lead to patients being unable to move their legs, arms or body.
Breathing Problems
When the motor neurons degenerate, they can affect the muscles in the chest wall and diaphragm, causing problems breathing. These muscle problems can require patients to use a ventilator to help them breathe. Patients may undergo a tracheostomy, a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the windpipe, to help them breathe. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes that most amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients die from respiratory failure within three to five years of the disease's onset.
Dementia
The MayoClinic.com notes that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients have an increased risk of developing one of two types of dementia: frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease. With frontotemporal dementia, patients have shrinking of parts of the frontal lobe and the temporal lobe. Symptoms of frontotemporal dementia include problems using written or spoken language; compulsive behaviors, like having a ritual for dressing; and inappropriate behavior, such as taking off clothing at unusual times. With Alzheimer's disease, patients can have memory loss, problems with judgment, social withdrawal and disorientation.
References
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- MayoClinic.com: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)--Complications
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Fact Sheet
- MayoClinic.com: Frontotemporal Dementia--Symptoms
- MayoClinic.com: Alzheimer's Disease--Symptoms
