Normal Anatomy and Physiology of Motor Function
The two components of the central nervous system (CNS) are the brain and the spinal cord. Communication between the brain and the spinal cord happens through motor neurons, which are nerve cells that enable motor movement. Each motor neuron is made up of a cell body, which holds all the cell components, dendrites which send information it receives to the cell body, and an axon which sends nerve impulses to the muscle (Porth & Matfin, 2009). As electrical impulses are sent through the motor neuron, it stimulates the muscle fibers in the body to move. This is the process in which motor function happens. Therefore, the basic abilities to breathe, speak, swallow, walk and button a shirt are all controlled by the proper function of motor neurons. Within the CNS there are both upper and lower motor neurons that cause specific movements in muscles of certain areas. Upper motor neurons are found in the motor cortex of the brain, and send messages to the lower motor neurons found in the spinal cord, which in turn, send a message to the skeletal muscle to tell it to move (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2010). In order for the body to move, it requires these messages from the brain to be sent to the spinal cord and then to the muscles.
Pathophysiology of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
When there is a disruption in the communication pathway between upper and lower motor neurons, many problems arise. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease process that involves the breakdown of motor neuron function. In ALS both upper and lower motor neurons die, which thus disrupts the communication between the brain, spinal cord and skeletal muscles (Porth & Matfin, 2009). As these motor neurons ...
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...ative processes that I would incorporate in my care is to be a nurse that cares for my patient with an attitude of living hope, which is Watson’s second carative process (Watson, 2008). As a nurse with living hope, I recognize that life is finite, but also see that I “may become the hope for someone who is isolated, abandoned in the prison of his or her despair and illness…and [I] may be the one who makes the difference between hope and despair in a given moment” (Watson, 2008, p. 62). Being a nurse involves more than just caring for the physical aspects of the patient; it involves joining the patient on their journey and filling the journey with hope, care and love. The eventual end of ALS is death, but as a caring nurse I recognize that the journey together is about cultivating eternal hope and love, which ultimately lives beyond death.
It is truly remarkable how Randy Pausch and Morrie Schwartz stories are so similar but yet so different. They both seem to have an outlook on life in a positive way, not sad or demeaning. The only crippling difference is the fact that Morrie was at the age that wasn’t abnormal to be sick and Randy was just dealt the cards for a short life. One of Professor Randy Pausch’s many quotes during The Last Lecture makes a similar point between his experience and Morrie’s when he says, “…it’s hard to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer – people who get it don’t live long enough.” ALS is such a rehabilitating disease that scientist have issues pinpointing the causes to even get close to a cure, which didn’t hinder either of their strive to keep going as far as they could.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly referred to as ALS, is a disease that can alter the daily life of a human in monumental and unending ways. In one of her articles about ALS, Caroline Ingre (2015) states that the disease is a “fatal neurodegenerative disorder” and further supports this by noting how the disease is marked by the degeneration in motor neurons in the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord (p. 181). This basically means that
According to ALS Association (2016, para. 1), “Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis eventually leads to their demise.” When our motor neurons die, our brain can no longer control our muscle movement. The survival time for a person living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is up to ten years because eventually a person’s body will shut down completely. According to the Mayo Clinic (2016, para. 2), “As the disease advances and nerve cells are destroyed, your muscles progressively weaken. This eventually affects chewing, swallowing, speaking and breathing.” This disease is very scary to live with because you eventually die from
Lou Gehrig's disease is often referred to as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), this is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons come from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the entire body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS would eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is also lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, for this reason patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed (Choi, 1988).
Participant 4 stated, “I think just basically being there for the family as well…I think even just a cup of tea can go a long way with any family (McCallum & McConigley, 2013). Another theory that intertwines with Watson’s is Barbara Dossey’s Theory of Integral Nursing. Dossey articulates, “Healing is not predictable, it is not synonymous with curing but the potential for healing is always present even until one’s last breath,” (Parker and Smith, 2015, p. 212). Dossey believes that integral nursing is a comprehensive way to organize different situations in fours perspectives (nurse, health, person and environment) of reality with the nurse as an instrument in the healing process by bringing his or her whole self into a relationship with another whole self. In the HDU, the RN’s interacted with each patient while providing high quality care to create a healing environment for the patient and family even when their prognosis was otherwise. Patient 3 specified that “We still have to provide care...and make the family feel that they are comfortable and looked after” (McCallum & McConigley, 2013). These theories ultimately show the importance of a nurse through the aspects of caring to create and maintain a healing environment that is not only beneficial to the patient but to their loved ones as
When a message comes to the brain from body parts such as the hand, the brain dictates the body on how to respond such as instructing muscles in the hand to pull away from a hot stove. The nerves in one’s skin send a message of pain to the brain. In response, the brain sends a message back dictating the muscles in one’s hand to pull away from the source of pain. Sensory neurons are nerve cells that carry signals from outside of the body to the central nervous system. Neurons form nerve fibers that transmit impulses throughout the body. Neurons consists of three basic parts: the cell body, axon, and dendrites. The axon carries the nerve impulse along the cell. Sensory and motor neurons are insulated by a layer of myelin sheath, the myelin helps
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a degenerative disease affecting the human nervous system. It is a deadly disease that cripples and kills its victims due to a breakdown in the body’s motor neurons. Motor neurons are nerve cells in the brainstem and spinal cord that control muscle contractions. In ALS, these neurons deteriorate to a point that all movement, including breathing, halts. Muscle weakness first develops in the muscles of body parts distant from the brain, such as the hands, and subsequently spreads through other muscle groups closer to the brain. Such early symptoms as this, however, can hardly be noticed.
Imagine if you loss control of your body but your mind stayed unaffected. You would be a prisoner in your own body, all leading up to your death sentence. That is the sad fate for the people diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). “Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder was first described by Ran in 1850. This description was then expanded in 1873 by Charcot, who emphasized the involvement of the corticospinal tracts. In the United States, ALS is often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, after the famous ball player who was stricken by the disease in the midst of his career. (Yale School of Medicine, 2014)” In this paper will go through the definition, the process, the signs, the risk factors, etiology, and discus the known people that have suffered with this terminal disease.
The human nervous system is divided into two parts, the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system, CNS, is just the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system, PNS, includes the nerves and neurons that extend outwards from the CNS, to transmit information to your limbs and organs, for example. Communication between your cells is extremely important, neurons are the messengers that relay information to and from your brain. Nerve cells generate electrical signals to transmit information.
With motor neurone disease it attacks the nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means messages gradually stop reaching muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting. In the case study the
Almost all animals have a nervous system. Neurons bundle together to form nerves. The purpose of the nervous system is to coordinate all activities of the body, and enables the body to respond and adapt to changes both inside and outside. The central nervous and the peripheral nervous systems are very similar but different at the same time. The CNS is made up of the brain and spinal cord and functions mainly to process information and determine the appropriate responses. The central nervous system receives sensory information, figures out a response, and initiates a motor response if appropriate. The CNS is protected by the skull, vertebral column, and a membrane. The spinal cord provides communication between the brain and the peripheral nerves
Watson first published her theory of caring in 1979 in a book titled, Nursing: Human Science and Caring. Watson and other researchers have built upon this theory and caring theory should continually be evolving as the delivery of patient care evolves. This theory focuses on care between the nurse and the patient. This interaction is defined as setting mutual tasks, how a spiritual force may help the interaction and when caring in the moment of true healing may occur. When the nurse and patient are on the same level spiritually self-awareness and self-discovery occur. There are ten themes identified in this article essential to caring in
Working as a clinical social worker in the Washington, DC area with patients diagnosed with life-limiting illness such as, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis and Lou Gehrig ’s disease (ALS), has taught me to be dedicated to a person-centered approach to therapy with patients and their families. Person-centered care is a trend that has been building in the social work community over the last few years. And I had considered the idea of person-centered care as a decent and noble practice. I now wholeheartedly trust the patient as the most salient guide in developing their own treatment.
When I became a nurse, in my heart, I knew that I was a caring person; however, I did not have a caring theory driving my practice. After studying Watson’s Human Caring Science Theory, the theory is consistent with my values, which emphasizes a holistic approach with mind, body, and spirit through a caring nurse patient relationship in an environment that promotes healing, comfort, and dignity. Human Caring Science gives the privilege of viewing human life with wonder, respect, and appreciates small and large miracles, which allows the inner world of the patient and nurse to come together in a unique human relationship, in the here and now moment (Watson, 2012, p. 24).
The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system. The brain doesn't just control your organs, but also can think and remember. That part of the brain is called the mind.