Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a series of progressive neurological illnesses that affect the nerve cells that control muscular movement in the brain and spinal cord.
Many experts refer to it as a single disease, but ALS is an umbrella term for a set of disorders.
ALS is the most frequent type of motor neuron disease in the world. It’s also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, after a famous baseball player who suffered from it.
Although the specific etiology is unknown, environmental and genetic factors may have a role.
Let’s get to know more about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis treatment, and establish if there is an ALS disease cure or not?
Table of Contents
What is ALS Disease?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative illness in which the nerve cells that mediate voluntary muscular movement are destroyed.
Motor neurons control movement in the arms, legs, chest, throat, and mouth. They run from the brain through the brainstem or spinal cord to muscles that control movement in the arms, legs, chest, throat, and mouth.
These cells die in persons with ALS, causing muscular tissue to fade away.
ALS has no effect on a person’s sensory or mental abilities. Non-motor neurons, such as sensory neurons that carry data from the sense organs to the brain, stay unaffected.
How Can You Categorize ALS Disease?
In general, there are two classifications for ALS:
- Lower motor neuron illness affects nerves that originate in the spinal cord or brainstem
- Upper motor neuron disease affects nerves in the brain.
Motor neurons are injured in both situations and eventually die.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?
According to the top reviewed Neurosurgeon in Lahore, Dr. Muhammad Yasir Mukhtar “Progressive muscle weakness is a symptom of ALS in all instances, however it may not be the initial sign of the disease.”
Signs and symptoms may be rarely detectable in the early stages. They gradually become more obvious, but the rate of change differs from person to person.
Symptoms that are common include:
- Difficulty with daily activities, such as walking
- Increased clumsiness
- Weakness in the feet, hands, legs, and ankles
- Cramping and twitching in the arms, shoulders, or tongue
- Difficulty maintaining good posture and holding the head up
- Uncontrollable outbursts of laughing or crying, a condition known as emotional lability
- Alterations in memory or reasoning
- Slurred speech and difficulty with voice projection
- Discomfort
- Exhaustion
- Saliva and mucus problems
- Difficulty breathing and swallowing
Early symptoms often include clumsiness, peculiar limb weariness, muscle cramps and spasms, and slurred speech. As the disease worsens, a person will have symptoms all over their body.
Some people with ALS have difficulty making decisions and remembering things, which can progress to frontotemporal dementia.
Emotional lability can produce mood swings and emotional outbursts.
Who is at the Risk of Getting ALS Disease?
Studies show that ALS disease affects 2-5 people in every 1000,000, annually. The risk factors for this disease include:
Gender
Before the age of 65, men are slightly more likely than women to get ALS. After the age of 70, the difference vanishes.
Age
ALS symptoms usually appear in people in their late 50s or early 60s, but it can happen at any age.
Race
People who are Caucasian and non-Hispanic are more prone to get ALS. The condition, though, can affect anyone.
What are the Causes of ALS Disease?
A small minority of people inherit ALS, but for the majority, the cause is unclear.
Genetics
A variation in the C9ORF72 gene causes between 20–40% of familial ALS cases, as well as a small number of sporadic instances. In nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, this gene produces a protein.
Mutations in the SOD1 gene, which is important for the function of motor neurons and other cells, cause 12–20 percent of family cases.
ALS patients may want to pursue genetic testing. Family members may be screened if the test detects a disease-causing variation.
Environmental Factors
There may be a relationship between ALS and:
- Electrical or mechanical trauma
- Service in the military
- Exposure to large amounts of agricultural chemicals
- High levels of exercise
- High amounts of exposure to a range of heavy metals
Disorganized Immune Response
The immune system may attack some of the body’s cells, possibly killing nerve cells.
Mishandling of Proteins
If nerve cells do not process proteins correctly, the resulting atypical proteins might accumulate and cause the nerve cells to die.
Chemical Imbalance
Glutamate, a chemical messenger in the brain, is typically found near the motor neurons in people with ALS.
Glutamate can be harmful to nerve cells in large amounts.
How is ALS Diagnosed?
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is difficult to diagnose because there is no single test or technique that can confirm the diagnosis.
Furthermore, because many neurologic illnesses have similar symptoms, suitable testing must be performed first to rule out alternative possibilities.
The following tests may be used to diagnose ALS.
Electrodiagnostic tests (EMG/NCS)
Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) are electrodiagnostic examinations that examine muscle and nerve functioning.
Specific abnormalities in the NCS and EMG may indicate that the person is suffering from a form of peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) or myopathy (muscle disease) rather than ALS.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
A noninvasive treatment that takes detailed pictures of the brain and spinal cord using a magnetic field and radio waves.
ALS can also be diagnosed through examinations of the blood and urine and biopsy of a muscle.
Read about tips to maintain spine health.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Treatment – Is There an ALS Disease Cure?
Although there is currently no cure for ALS, persons with the illness can benefit from the following treatments:
- Painful muscle cramps, increased salivation, and other symptoms are treated with medicines.
- Muscle cramps can be relieved with heat or whirlpool therapy.
- Although exercise should be done in moderation, it can help to maintain muscle strength and function. Maintain mobility and relieve muscle stiffness, cramping, and fluid retention with physical therapy.
- When swallowing becomes difficult, nutritional counseling can help to encourage appropriate nutrition and provide alternate dietary options.
- To keep as many verbal communication abilities as feasible, speech treatment and communication training are recommended. Nonverbal communication skills are often mentioned in communication training.
- Splints, braces, grab bars, reach-extenders, and other devices to assist with daily activities such as dressing, eating, using the toilet, and bathing.
- To maximize functional freedom, customized equipment such as wheelchairs, electric beds, or mattresses can be used.
Tips for Living with ALS
A variety of tactics can aid people with ALS and their loved ones in adjusting to their changing circumstances.
Keep in Touch
It is critical to maintain social contact. Keep in touch with friends and participate in as many events as you can.
Reach Out
Support groups, whether in person or online, can answer concerns and provide insight via shared experiences.
Prepare Yourself
If you’re going out, pack a bag with tissues, hand wipes, and silverware that’s simple to grasp. Obtain a disability sign for your vehicle by registering.
Make any necessary modifications at home, such as obtaining a toilet seat raiser.
Prepare Ahead of Time
Finding out that you can no longer do something might be difficult. Predicting and preparing for potential limits can make this process go more smoothly.
Schedule Time Off for Caregivers
Caregivers must prioritize their own health as well as the health of their loved ones. Arrange for a friend, relative, or other caretaker to remain with the person with ALS for the weekend or to take them out for the day.
Bottom Line!
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), causes muscle weakness that worsens over time. Muscle control problems, such as when writing or chewing, are common ALS symptoms. People with ALS eventually lose their ability to walk, swallow, and even breathe.
Treatments for ALS, such as medicine and therapy, can help people with the disease live as long as feasible and as independently as possible.
If you detect any unusual muscle difficulties, consult a well-known neurosurgeon anywhere near you via Healthwire. Perhaps you’ve started tripping more frequently or are having difficulty buttoning your shirts. A healthcare provider can assist you in receiving the diagnosis and treatment you require to feel your best.
