Friday, July 16, 2010

General Information about the Disease

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Definition

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement.
ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Alternative Names

Lou Gehrig's disease; ALS; Upper and lower motor neuron disease; Motor neuron disease

Causes

In about 10% of cases, ALS is caused by a genetic defect. In other cases, the cause is unknown.
In ALS, nerve cells (neurons) waste away or die, and can no longer send messages to muscles. This eventually leads to muscle weakening, twitching, and an inability to move the arms, legs, and body. The condition slowly gets worse. When the muscles in the chest area stop working, it becomes hard or impossible to breathe on one's own.
ALS affects approximately 1 out of every 100,000 people.
Except for having a family member who has a hereditary form of the disease, there are no known risk factors.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually do not develop until after age 50. Persons with ALS have a loss of muscle strength and coordination that eventually gets worse. This eventually makes one unable to do routine tasks such as going up steps, getting out of a chair, or swallowing.
Breathing or swallowing muscles may be the first muscles affected. As the disease gets worse, more muscle groups develop problems.
ALS does not affect the senses (sight, smell, taste, hearing, touch), bladder or bowel function, or a person's ability to think or reason.
Symptoms include:
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Difficulty swallowing
    • Gagging
    • Chokes easily
  • Head drop due to weak spinal and neck muscles
  • Muscle cramps
  • Muscle weakness that slowly gets worse
    • Commonly involves one part of the body first, such as the arm or hand
    • Eventually leads to difficulty lifting, climbing stairs, and walking
  • Paralysis
  • Speech problems, such as a slow or abnormal speech pattern
  • Voice changes, hoarseness
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

Exams and Tests

An exam of the nerves and muscles shows weakness, often beginning in one area. There may be muscle tremors, spasms, twitching, or loss of muscle tissue (atrophy). Atrophy and twitching of the tongue are common.
The person's walk may be stiff or clumsy. Reflexes may be abnormal and may include loss of the gag reflex. Some patients have trouble controlling crying or laughing. This is sometimes called "emotional incontinence."
Tests that may be done include:
  • Blood tests to rule out other conditions
  • Breathing test to see if lung muscles are affected
  • EMG to see which nerves do not work properly
  • Genetic testing, if there is a family history of ALS
  • Head CT or MRI of head to rule out other conditions
  • Swallowing studies
  • Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)
CELIAC DISEASE can mimic ALS symptoms:
In this Case Study, the patient's initial presentation consisted of a progressive motor syndrome in the absence of sensory signs, with clinical evidence of upper and lower motor neuron degeneration, electromyographic evidence of widespread acute denervation, and hyperintensity in the corticospinal tracts revealed by MRI. In view of these findings, while acknowledging the unusual hemiparetic presentation and strikingly territorial nature of the white matter changes seen on MRI, a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was initially considered by the referring neurologist. The apparent presentation of a rare ALS variant in association with celiac disease—a condition with various neurological manifestations—made it entirely appropriate, however, to review the initial diagnosis and institute treatment for celiac disease. Ultimately, improvement in the patient's symptoms following treatment for celiac disease rendered the diagnosis of ALS untenable.
see study:
http://www.nature.com/ncpneuro/journal/v3/n10/full/ncpneuro0631.html

Celiac disease symptoms can be eliminated by maintaining a strict gluten free diet. A simple blood test, or a small biopsy can determine whether you do, or do not have celiac disease.

Treatment

There is no known cure for ALS. The first drug treatment for the disease is a medicine called riluzole. Riluzole may prolong life, but does not reverse or stop the disease from getting worse.
The goal of treatment is to control symptoms. Baclofen or diazepam may be used to control spasticity that interferes with activities of daily living. Trihexyphenidyl or amitriptyline may be prescribed for people with problems swallowing their own saliva.
Physical therapy, rehabilitation, use of braces or a wheelchair, or other orthopedic measures may be needed to maximize muscle function and general health.
Choking is common. Patients may decide to have a tube placed into their stomach for feeding. This is called a gastrostomy.
A nutritionist is very important to help prevent weight loss. The illness itself appears to increase the need for food and there is usually limited ability to swallow.
The use of devices to assist in breathing includes machines that are only used at night as well as constant mechanical ventilation. Patients should discuss their wishes regarding artificial ventilation with their families and doctors.

Support Groups

Emotional support is vital in coping with the disorder, because mental functioning is not affected. Groups such as the ALS Association may be available to assist in coping with the disorder.

Outlook (Prognosis)

There is progressive loss of ability to function or care for oneself. Death often occurs within 3 to 5 years of diagnosis, about 20% of patients survive more than 5 years after diagnosis.

Possible Complications

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if symptoms suggest ALS, particularly if there is a family history of the disorder.
Call your health care provider if ALS has been diagnosed and symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop. Increased difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, and episodes of apnea are symptoms that require immediate attention.

Prevention

Genetic counseling may be advised if there is a family history of ALS.
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