مقاله تخصصی
What is ALS and what are its symptoms?
3 months ago
447 بازدید
Dr. Mohammad Hossein Delshad
تهرانpain companions
**ALS disease** is a progressive disease of the nervous system that affects the nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord and leads to the loss of muscle control.
Usually, the cause of this disease is not known.. but in some cases, hereditary reasons play a role in its development.. ALS is often characterized by problems such as muscle spasms, slurred speech or weakness in the limbs.
Finally, as we said, this disease affects the control of the muscles needed to move, talk, breathe and eat....
Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease.. but if you have pain, you can control this disease to some extent by visiting a pain specialist.. Getting to know the symptoms of ALS disease
Symptoms of this disease vary from person to person, in fact, depending on which neuron is affected, related symptoms are created.
This disease starts with muscle weakness and spreads and worsens over time. Possible symptoms are as follows:
- Difficulty walking or doing normal daily activities
- Falling on the ground
- Weakness in the legs
- hand weakness
- Unintelligible speech or difficulty in swallowing
- muscle cramps and contractions in the arm, shoulder and tongue
- cognitive and behavioral changes
- Laughing, crying or yawning inappropriately
This disease often starts in the hands, feet or limbs and spreads to other parts of the body.... If the disease progresses and cells are destroyed, the muscles become weaker...
Eventually, it affects things like chewing, swallowing, breathing, and talking... This disease usually causes no pain in the early stages and little pain in the later stages. It is worth noting that it does not affect your bladder control or your senses... Read more: Sickle cell pain
The cause of ALS disease
This disease affects the nerve cells related to voluntary muscle movement such as talking and walking....
ALS leads to the gradual loss of motor neurons from the brain to the spinal cord and spreads throughout the body.
When the motor neurons are damaged, the message to the muscles stops.. so the muscles will not be able to work....
The cause of this disease is hereditary for 5 to 10 percent of people and is unknown for other people... Researchers are still investigating to determine the cause of this disease.
Risk factors in the development of ALS disease
Proven cases that increase the possibility of contracting this disease are as follows:
### Legacy
As we said, 5 to 10% of the causes of this disease are hereditary.. In fact, families that get this disease, there is a possibility that their children will also get this disease.
### age
The risk of developing ALS increases with age and is most common in the 40s and up to the mid-60s.
### Gender
Before the age of 65, men are slightly more likely to develop ALS than women. This gender difference disappears after the age of 70.
### Genetics
In a study that examined the entire genome, they observed many similarities in the genetic changes of people with this familial and non-hereditary disease....
These genetic changes can cause people to suffer from ALS. Environmental factors play a role in the development of this disease, including the following:
### Smoking
Smoking is the only possible environmental risk factor in causing this disease... It seems that the risk of developing this disease increases in women, especially after menopause.
### Exposure to environmental toxins
Some evidence suggests that exposure to lead or other hazardous substances at work or at home is associated with this disease.
Many studies have been done.. But no agent or chemical has been consistently and always involved in causing this disease
Complications caused by ALS disease
If this disease progresses, it causes such complications:
### breathing problems
Over time, this disease disables or paralyzes the muscles involved in breathing...
In these cases, the patient needs an assistive device to be able to breathe at night, similar to what people experience when they have sleep apnea.
One of the most common causes of death from this disease is respiratory failure. Death usually occurs within 3 to 5 years of the onset of symptoms. However, many people live with the disease for 10 years or more.
### Speech problems
People who suffer from this disease have difficulty in speaking....at first this problem is mild and it becomes more and worse with the passage of time....eventually it will be difficult for others to understand the speech.
### Difficulty eating
Following this disease, the muscle that controls swallowing does not work properly and patients suffer from malnutrition and dehydration.
In fact, when eating, there is a possibility of food, liquid or saliva entering the lung.... A feeding tube reduces the possibility of such risks and provides adequate hydration and nutrition.
### dementia
Some people with ALS have trouble remembering and making decisions, and some end up being diagnosed with a type of dementia called frontotemporal dementia.
How is ALS diagnosed?.. Early diagnosis of this disease is difficult.. because it can be similar to other neurological diseases.... Tests that help rule out other possible causes and ultimately lead to an accurate diagnosis are as follows:
### Electromyography (EMG)
In this method, the doctor inserts a needle electrode through the skin into different muscles. This test examines the electrical activity of your muscles during contraction and when they are at rest.
Abnormalities observed in this diagnostic method help the doctor to diagnose or rule out ALS.
### Study of nerve conduction
The ability of nerves to send impulses to muscles in different areas of the body is measured. This test determines if you have certain muscle or nerve diseases.
### MRI
This method shows you detailed images of the brain and spinal cord.... This imaging shows spinal cord tumors, herniated cervical discs, or other signs that may be causing your symptoms.
### blood and urine test
Examination of blood and urine samples in the laboratory helps the doctor to rule out or diagnose other possible causes.
### Waist fan
A sample of spinal fluid is examined....During this procedure, a small needle is inserted between two vertebrae in the lower back to take a sample.
### muscle biopsy
If your doctor thinks you have a muscle disease rather than ALS, you may need a muscle biopsy.
This diagnostic method is performed under local anesthesia and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
What is the treatment for ALS?.. There is no cure, doctors can only slow the progression of symptoms and prevent serious complications.... You may need several specialist doctors for treatment to improve your quality of life.
One of the treatment methods is drug administration, which should be prescribed according to the doctor's opinion according to the patient's condition. Taking drugs helps to increase life expectancy and also control symptoms...
Sometimes the doctor also prescribes other drugs to relieve other symptoms:
- Cramps and muscle spasms
- constipation
- fatigue
- Excessive salivation
- pain
- Depression
- Sleep related problems
- Uncontrollable laughter and crying
- treatments
- breathing care
Read more: What is the relationship between chronic pain and depression?.. You will have trouble breathing as your muscles weaken.... Your doctor may test your breathing regularly and consider devices to help you breathe better.
### Physiotherapy
A physical therapist will address any issues that prevent you from moving, including pain to some extent.
Performing appropriate exercises under the supervision of a specialist also helps to maintain cardiovascular fitness, range of motion and muscle strength.
In addition, doing sports exercises also helps to improve the feeling of happiness... doing stretching exercises helps to prevent pain and better muscle function.
### occupational therapy
An occupational therapist will help you become fully independent despite the weakness you have in your limbs, including your hands...with some equipment, you will be helped to be independent in activities such as dressing, eating, bathing, etc.
### Speech therapy
Speech therapy teaches techniques to make the patient's speech more understandable... It also provides conditions to have other ways of communication other than talking.
### Nutritional supports
The team working with you will help you swallow more easily, some may need a feeding tube.
