ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a serious neurological disease that causes muscle weakness, disability and eventually death, states MayoClinic.com. ALS affects one to three people per 100,000 and is inherited in five to 10 percent of cases. ALS begins to affect small-muscle movements, but progresses to affect the muscles that control breathing, which can eventually cause death. No cure exists for ALS, but early treatment can help to slow the progression of the disease. A patient with ALS should be aware of available remedies.
Medications
Medline Plus of the National Institutes of Health states that medicine can be used to treat symptoms associated with ALS. Specifically, medications, such as riluzole, baclofen or diazepam, can be used to control spasticity or muscle spasms that occur with ALS. Other medications, including trihexyphenidyl or amitriptyline, may be prescribed for patients who are having difficulty with swallowing their own saliva. These medications must be used regularly and as prescribed to keep an ALS patient comfortable and able to complete activities of daily living. An ALS patient should immediately let his doctor know how effective the medications he is taking are or if he is experiencing significant side effects.
Therapy
In most cases, therapy is a necessary remedy for most ALS patients, states MayoClinic.com. A combination of therapy, including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, may be required. A physical therapist helps the patient maintain muscle strength and flexibility to keep her as independent as possible. An occupational therapist can make a home visit and recommend ramps and other home modifications to help the ALS patient get around the house. Furthermore, an occupational therapist can recommend braces and other devices to improve mobility. Finally, a speech therapist can teach an ALS patient techniques to improve her speech and swallowing abilities. Adherence to therapists' recommendations and techniques can improve the life of an ALS patient.
Breathing Devices
A late complication of ALS is difficulty breathing. Thus, the remedy for breathing difficulty may include an assistive breathing device, states Medline Plus. An ALS patient may require a breathing device occasionally or only at night in the early stages of breathing dysfunction. In later stages, however, a patient may require full-time artificial ventilation. Before symptoms of ALS become this severe, the patient should discuss his wishes concerning continual artificial ventilation with his doctor and family.
