Neurons
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, named after the legendary baseball player with the New York Yankees who was diagnosed with the disease in the 1930s. It's a fatal degenerative disease of the nervous system. The muscles of the body progressively weaken and atrophy as the motor neurons of the brain to the spinal cord die, the ALS Association says. The ability of the brain to control muscle movement is lost as the motor neurons die. Patients may become totally paralyzed in the later stages of the disease. The degenerating neurons are no longer able to send impulses to muscle fibers that handle muscle movements. The increasing muscle weakness involves the arms and legs, speech, swallowing and breathing. With the lack of neuron signals, muscles get smaller and limbs begin to look thinner.
Early Symptoms
Muscle weakness and stiffness are often the first symptoms for most people with ALS. Walking or climbing stairs become difficult. The person may drop objects, fall unexpectedly, and even laugh or cry uncontrollably. The arms and legs may feel tired, making it difficult to pick up small objects or do small tasks. Speech problems may include slurring, hoarseness or decreased volume. As the symptoms worsen, the person may suffer from stiffness, abnormal movements, alterations in gait and difficulties in manual dexterity. Twitching may occur in the tongue or limbs. There may be muscle pain and cramps. Because of the difficulty in swallowing, some patients suffer from excessive salivation and drooling. Weakened muscles in the body may eventually lead to respiratory problems that require the patient to use a ventilator.
Progression
There is no cure or treatment to reverse or stop the action of this disease. The drug riluzole, approved by the Food and Drug Administration, has been able to slow the progression of ALS. Devices and therapies are used to manage symptoms to help people maintain as much independence as possible and prolong life. People with ALS have varying symptoms and might have faster or slower progression of the disease symptoms. The early symptoms of ALS may depend on which muscles in the body are damaged first, says the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Some patients may be affected in only one of the legs. Patients may notice they have difficulty holding onto things with their hands. Other patients may first experience speech difficulties. But the muscle weakness and atrophy eventually spread through the body as the disease progresses. Patients are unable to walk or stand, get out of bed on their own or use their arms at all. Patients with ALS may also experience secondary effects of fear, anxiety and depression as the progressive disease continues. Organizations such as the ALS Association offer help and guidance with information on new treatments and therapies.
