Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease is the most common form of motor neuron disease in the adulthood (Batos et al,. 2011). Motor neurons are cells that carry messages from the brain to the muscles so they can contract. During ALS these motor neurons gradually degenerate and die (Ingram, 2012). The symptoms progress from muscles weakness, clumsiness and cramping (Ingram, 2012). It can then start in the limbs, slowly eroding the ability to move, ending in paralysis or it can start affecting speech, swallowing and eventually breathing (Ingram, 2012). Patients with ALS usually die of respiratory failures within five years of being diagnosed (Ingram, 2012). Most ALS cases are sporadic and they are not sure what brings them on, but around five percent of ALS patients have evidence of it in their family history (Batos et al., 2011). Although they are not clear of the cause of ALS, a team with Neurology International has made some hypothesis to the possible cause. The first possible cause they believe could cause ALS is heavy metal intoxication. The Neurology International team described a patient that had worked in a factory and was exposed to large amounts of lead. The study concluded that, although no other tests were performed, that the probable cause of his ALS was the exposure to lead (Batos et al., 2011). Mercury could also be a cause of the development of ALS. Researchers believe this because a nurse developed ALS after she broke a thermometer containing mercury (Batos et al., 2011). Viral Infections were pointed out to also be a possibly cause of ALS. Studies demonstrated a possible association between persistent infection due to enterovirus and ALS development in 46 individuals (Batos et al... ... middle of paper ... ... References Bastos, A. F., Pessoa, L. L., Sztajnbok, F. R., Leite, M. A., Nascimento, O. J. M., Bastos, V. H., . . . Pereira, A. (2011). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: One or multiple causes? Neurology International, 3(1), e4-e4. Facts You Should Know. (2010). - The ALS Association. Retrieved November 11, 2013 Ingram, J. (2012). Fatal flaws: how a misfolded protein baffled scientists and changed the way we look at the brain. Toronto, Ont.: HarperCollins. Jones, P. (2013). Glutamate Research Could Lead to ALS Treatment. The ALS Association. Retrieved November 11, 2013 Lou Gehrig Remembered. (2011). - The ALS Association. Retrieved November 11, 201 Nursing Facility - The ALS Association. (2010). Nursing Facility - The ALS Association. Retrieved November 11, 2013 Nursing Management in ALS. (2010). - The ALS Association. Retrieved November 11, 2013
On December 1, 2012, a patient by the name of John Dough walks into the medical assistant’s office. The patient is five foot 11 inches tall, currently he is 70 years old and weighs approximately 211 pounds. The patient has no known allergies does not smoke and has a relatively clean health record. After filling out the patient medical history forms, the patient is seen by the doctor. The patient explains to the doctor that lately he has had trouble lifting object he would not normally have trouble with, as well as walking short distances, and being very fatigued. After further examination the patient explains how he recently found a tick on his back and removed it, but now there is a red bullseye on his back. The physician suggests a blood sample be taken and sent to the laboratory. To help with weakness and fatigue he recommends the patient to get a good nights sleep and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. He also wants the patient to limit medication intake that could contribute to fatigue such as cold and allergy medicines and make sure to finish all daily exercising three to four hours before bed. The patient schedules a check up two weeks later.
The overview definition of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is defined in the Medical Dictionary for Allied Health as a “progressive degenerative disease of the lateral columns of the spinal cord leading to weakness paralysis and death (Breskin, 2008).” This definition is brief but by looking at this one helps to better define the disease, which follows. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig disease the progressive destruction is of the motor neuron this results in muscular atrophy. The nerve cells effected are from the brain to the spinal cord and the spinal cord to the peripheral these are the nerves that control muscle movement. ALS affects muscles that are controlled by conscious thought, this includes arms, legs, and trunk muscles. ALS leaves sensation, thought processes, the heart muscle, digestive system, bladder, and other internal organs unaffected.
There is no cure for ALS at this time and treatment is focused on management of the symptoms, involving a combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech, respiratory, and nutritional therapies. Moderate exercise may help maintain muscle strength and function. Drugs can also treat excessive saliva and drooling, and speech therapy can help compensate for loss of muscular control of the mouth. As the disease progresses and muscular degeneration spreads throughout the body, various devices may provide support, such as ankle braces, neck collars, reclining chairs, wheelchairs, and hospital beds. Respiratory support and feeding tubes are required when the person loses cont...
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
Another evidence of linkage between ALS and the UPS component came from the identification of mutations in valosin contai...
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).
ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease attacks the muscles of the body. Typically, symptoms don’t usually begin until the age of 50 or older. However, it’s possible to show symptoms at a younger age. It is a disease that progresses extremely fast. Unfortunately as the disease progresses, loss of muscle strength get worse. The reduction of the muscle strength slowly gets worse until paralysis or death. The following are symptoms of ALS: muscle cramps, muscle weakness, difficulty with breathing and difficulty with swallowing. Other symptoms include slurring of words, hoarseness, and weight loss. ALS does not affect the five senses of the body. Eventually, Lou Gehrig’s Disease will prevent the body from doing everyday activities such as driving, climbing stairs, and eating.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2014). NINDS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) information page. Accessed 2014 April 8
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, specifically the motor neurons. Motor neurons carry signals from the brain and spinal cord to all of the muscles in your body. When a person has ALS, they are not able to generate enough motor neurons, and the brain cannot then initiate and control muscle movement. After some time, when the disease gets progressively worse, the patient has difficulty speaking, swallowing, breathing, etc. These kinds of tasks are essential to the body, so when it gets to a certain point, the patient dies. There are several other names for this disease, such as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
As with many neurological disorders there is no known cause of ALS. When dealing with the brain, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish what exactly is going on. A few possible causes that are currently being looked at are genetics, glutamate, autoimmune responses, and environment. A breakthrough on one of these possibilities would be one for the ages and it would save many lives.
…progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to [the patients] death (Alsa.org, 2014).
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.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. Jean-Marie Charcot was the first to recognize ALS as a distinct neurological disease with its own unique pathology. In ALS, nerve cells degenerate and deteriorate, and are unable to transmit messages to muscles. In around 90% of the cases of ALS, the cause remains unknown. Studies have concentrated on the responsibility of glutamate in motor neuron degeneration. Glutamate is one of several neurotransmitters in the brain. While there is no known cure for ALS, strides in medicine have allowed for the development of a wide variety of medications to treat the various symptoms of ALS, as well as dietary, physical therapy, and breathing techniques, all of which can lessen symptoms and increase life expectancy.
This is a neurodegenerative disease, meaning it results in progressive loss or death of neurons. It often starts off with effecting simple motor skills like writing and holding things, after a few months usually patients start losing the ability to walk, talk, or move any of their limbs. Although the brain trauma is what causes it, ALS has little-no-effect on the brain. This fatal disease is typically diagnosed around age 60 and most patients are given about 3-5 years to live after being diagnosed. It has been found that 10% of cases are shown as genetic. It was brought to attention that athletes were beginning to get diagnosed with ALS at a younger age than most. After extensive research in the early 2000’s, Brain Analyst, Dr. Mckee ran tests and finally came to the conclusion that the toxic proteins in the brains of ALS patients were coming from repeated blows to the head. It was then made evident why so many athletes in contact sports such as football, soccer, boxing, etc… were being diagnosed at such a young age and more frequently than