Aspen Daugherty Dr. Ward English 2 6 November 2014 Understanding ALS Often many people think during the hard times life is bad, but they never know what someone else is going through. Lou Gehrig, who had an awful disease called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis aka ALS, wrote a speech about his disease. ALS is a devastating motor neuron disease, which even with the treatment is painful to the patient. First, what is ALS? Second, what causes ALS? Next, what are the symptoms? Further next, how does a person get diagnosed and how does it progress? And finally, what is the treatment for ALS? First of all, let’s start out with what is ALS? According to Webster’s medical dictionary, ALS is “a classic motor neuron disease” (Definition of “ALS”). A classic motor disease is a type of chronic disease from the nerves that are from the spine. The spinal cord is the main thing that supplies electrical stimulation to the muscles. It’s what causes us to move around, sit, stand, etc. Medicine Net says that, “Motor neuron …show more content…
diseases are progressive chronic diseases of the nerves that come from the spinal cord responsible for supplying electrical stimulation to the muscles. This stimulation is necessary for the movement of body parts” (Definition of “ALS”). ALS affects the body’s ability to move. Second, what causes ALS? ALS is unknown for scientist to understand why ALS hits certain people and not others. National institute of neurological disorders quotes, “The cause of ALS is not known, and scientists do not yet know why ALS strikes some people and not others” (“Fact sheet: National Institute of Neurological Disorders”). Also, since 2011 scientists found that ALS runs in the genes in certain subsets of ALS people, but also to other people who suffer from a type of “frontotemporal dementia” (FTD). “Another research was made in 2011 when a scientist found that defect in the C9orf72 gene is not only present in a significant subset of ALS patients but also in some patients who suffer from a type of frontotemporal dementia (FTD)” (“Fact sheet: National Institute of ALS Neurological Disorders”). Next, what are the symptoms for ALS? It is important to know the symptoms for ALS. This disease encompasses lots of symptoms. These include shortness of breath, weakness in the muscles, inabilty to walk, etc. The National Institute of ALS Neurological Disorders cite the following as symptoms of ALS: “ALS manifests itself in different ways, depending on which muscles weaken first. Symptoms may include tripping and falling, loss of motor control in hands and arms, difficulty in speaking, swallowing and/or breathing, persists fatigue, and twitching and cramping, sometimes quite severely” (“Fact sheet: National Institute of ALS Neurological Disorders”). Further, how does a person get diagnosed and how does it process?
ALS is diagnosed by doctors according to the symptoms displayed. “No one’s test can provide a definitive diagnosis of ALS, although the presence of upper and lower motor neuron signs is strongly suggestive” (“Fact Sheet: National Institute of Neurological Disorders”). ALS also takes place when certain cells in the brain and spine that controls the moment that gradually degenerates. Because of the loss of the motor neurons it causes muscles to weaken and disintegrate away, building up to being paralyzed. The cause of this process is still not found. Medicine Net quotes that, “ALS occurs when specific nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary movement gradually degenerate. The loss of these motor neurons causes the muscles under their control to weaken and waste away, leading to paralysis. The cause of this disease process is still unknown” (Definition of
“ALS”). And finally, what is the treatment for ALS? There is not a cure for ALS; or proven therapy that will stop or rewind the course of this disorder (Definition of “ALS”). But there is medicine that prolongs the survival for people who have ALS. People might also get supportive treatments that are toward some of their symptoms. Medicine Net says that, “The food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved riluzole, the first drug that has been shown to prolong the survival of ALS patients. Patients may also receive supportive treatments that address some of their symptoms” (Definition of “ALS”). Thanks to the new technology, people are able to have the advantages to look up and understand what ALS is. From the above paragraphs it is given the information about ALS, including its definition, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. People who suffer from this disease have to go through several medical procedures and have difficult lives, often leading to depression. Lou Gehrig, suffered from ALS but kept a positive attitude; he said, “I might have been given a bad break, but I’ve got an awful lot to live for” (Gehrig). That is why it is so important to keep searching for a cure.
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.
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.
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.
It was not until 1995, when he was dying from ALS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, that Morrie ended his career as a professor. A fatal neuromuscular disease, ALS is characterized by progressive muscle debilitation that ultimately results in paralysis. ALS is commonly known as Lou Gherig's disease, after the famous baseball player who died of the disease in 1941 at the age of forty. Mitch Albom recalls his graduation from Brandeis University in the spring of 1979. After he has received his diploma, Mitch approaches his favorite professor, Morrie Schwartz, and presents him with a monogrammed briefcase.
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...
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).
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is better known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis was not brought to International or national attention until Famous New York Yankees baseball player, Lou Gehrig, was diagnosed with it in 1939. Jon Stone, the writer and creator of Sesame Street, was also diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is very deadly and it physically handicaps a person as it progresses. There are two types of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Sporadic and Familial. Sporadic is the most common cause in some cases and Familial is inherited, which is rare. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is one of the most aggressive muscular atrophy disorders, it has many signs and symptoms, and it can be treated but cannot be cured.
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
Goldmann, David R., and David A. Horowitz. American College of Physicians Home Medical Guide to Parkinson's Disease. New York: Dorling Kindersley Pub., 2000. Print.
ALS is a degeneration of motor neurons that move from the brain and down the
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is also referred to as a motor neuron disorder (MND), as it is characterized by the continual degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons. These motor neurons, as previously stated, are responsible for voluntary muscles in the body, and as the neurons degenerate, or die, the neurons are unable to send messages to the muscles. When muscles can no longer receive signals, they become unable to function, and in turn, weaken and waste away. Eventually, the brain loses its ability to start and control voluntary movement, resulting in paralysis.
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.
condition that can develop in people of all ages and gender. Keep in mind that autism is not infectious. It can either be chronic* or acute** based on when your child is first diagnosed and how much they have progress is their
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ASL), Lou Gehrig’s disease, a brutal, unforgiving illness of the neurological system with no known cure.
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