What Does Als Disease Do in a video
what ALS disease does
What Does ALS Disease Do
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It is characterized by the degeneration and death of motor neurons, which are responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement.
As motor neurons die, the muscles they control weaken and eventually become paralyzed. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including
* Muscle weakness in the arms, legs, and torso
* Difficulty speaking, swallowing, and chewing
* Breathing problems
* Stiffness and spasticity in the muscles
* Fatigue
* Depression
* Cognitive decline
In most cases, ALS is fatal, with the average life expectancy after diagnosis being 3-5 years. However, some people with ALS live for 10 years or more.
The cause of ALS is unknown, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There is no cure for ALS, but there are treatments that can help to manage the symptoms and improve quality of life. These treatments include
* Medications to slow the progression of the disease
* Physical therapy to help maintain muscle strength and range of motion
* Speech therapy to help improve communication
* Swallowing therapy to help prevent choking
* Respiratory therapy to help with breathing problems
* Palliative care to provide support and comfort to people with ALS and their families
ALS is a devastating disease, but there is hope. Researchers are working hard to find a cure for ALS, and there are many clinical trials underway. In the meantime, there are treatments available to help people with ALS live as full and independent lives as possible.
Here are some additional things to know about ALS
* ALS is most common in people between the ages of 40 and 70.
* Men are more likely to develop ALS than women.
* There is no known way to prevent ALS.
* There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for ALS. The best treatment plan will vary depending on the individual’s symptoms and progression of the disease.
* There are many resources available to help people with ALS and their families. The ALS Association is a great resource for information and support.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with ALS, it is important to seek out information and support. There are many resources available to help you cope with the challenges of this disease. Remember, you are not alone.
what ALS disease does
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It is characterized by the degeneration and death of motor neurons, which are responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement.
As motor neurons die, the muscles they control weaken and eventually become paralyzed. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including
* Muscle weakness in the arms, legs, and torso. This can make it difficult to walk, climb stairs, get dressed, and perform other activities of daily living.
* Difficulty speaking, swallowing, and chewing. This can lead to weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration.
* Breathing problems. This can be a life-threatening complication of ALS.
* Stiffness and spasticity in the muscles. This can make it painful to move and can lead to contractures, or permanent shortening of the muscles.
* Fatigue. This is a common symptom of ALS and can make it difficult to perform even simple tasks.
* Depression. The progressive nature of ALS can be very difficult to cope with, and many people with ALS experience depression.
* Cognitive decline. In some cases, ALS can lead to cognitive decline, such as difficulty with memory and thinking.
The symptoms of ALS can vary from person to person and can progress at different rates. In most cases, ALS is fatal, with the average life expectancy after diagnosis being 3-5 years. However, some people with ALS live for 10 years or more.
The cause of ALS is unknown, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There is no cure for ALS, but there are treatments that can help to manage the symptoms and improve quality of life. These treatments include
* Medications to slow the progression of the disease. There are a few medications that have been shown to slow the progression of ALS, but they do not stop the disease from progressing completely.
* Physical therapy. Physical therapy can help to maintain muscle strength and range of motion.
* Speech therapy. Speech therapy can help to improve communication.
* Swallow therapy. Swallow therapy can help to prevent choking.
* Respiratory therapy. Respiratory therapy can help with breathing problems.
* Palliative care. Palliative care provides support and comfort to people with ALS and their families.
ALS is a devastating disease, but there is hope. Researchers are working hard to find a cure for ALS, and there are many clinical trials underway. In the meantime, there are treatments available to help people with ALS live as full and independent lives as possible.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with ALS, it is important to seek out information and support. There are many resources available to help you cope with the challenges of this disease. Remember, you are not alone.
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