Als (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis): symptoms, medications etc. • hello healthy

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ALS definition

ALS disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a disorder of the nervous system that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spine so that the sufferer loses control of the striated muscles (muscles that are moved on their own accord).

This condition occurs when the nervous system in which certain cells (neurons), in the brain and bone marrow, slowly die.

Over time, the muscles become weak and malfunctioning, resulting in muscle weakness, disability, and to an already severe degree that can lead to death.

Even so, ALS does not cause interference with the sufferer's intellectual, sight, and sense of hearing, smell, and taste abilities.

There are two types of ALS:

1. Upper motor neurons: Nerve cells in the brain.
2. Lower motor neurons: Nerve cells in the spinal cord.

These motor neurons control all reflex or spontaneous movements in the muscles of your arms, legs and face. Motor neurons also function to give commands to your muscles to contract so you can walk, run, lift light objects around, chew and swallow food, and breathe.

How common is this condition?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS disease is a rare disease. This disease generally affects more men than women at the age of 40-60 years. Talk to your doctor for more information.

ALS signs & symptoms

Symptoms or signs of amyotrophic lateral scellrosis (ALS) can also vary from person to person. The condition depends on the affected neurons, therefore, the symptoms of this condition vary widely, such as the following:

• Difficulty walking or doing normal daily activities.
• Frequent trips or falls.
• There is weakness in the legs, feet and ankles.
• There is weakness in the hand area.
• Speech and swallowing disorders.
• Muscle cramps and twitching appear in the arms, shoulders, and tongue.
• Crying, laughing and yawning out of control.
• Change of attitude.

Usually, the initial symptoms of ASL appear on the hands and feet, then spread to other areas of the body. What's more, as disease progresses and nerve cells are damaged, muscles weaken too.

This of course affects various body functions that cannot work normally. Usually, ALS doesn't cause pain, but over time, the pain will appear as the condition gets worse.

When to go to the doctor

You need to contact your doctor if you experience the following symptoms of ALS:

• Difficulty walking or doing daily activities.
• Weakened or paralyzed feet or ankles.
• Decreased hand function.
• Difficulty swallowing or speaking.
• Muscle cramps and twitching of the arms, shoulders, and tongue.
• Difficulty raising your head or maintaining your posture.

Causes of ALS

The main cause of ALS remains uncertain. Often times, doctors and experts cannot find a condition that could potentially cause ALS in a sufferer.

Starting from daily habits, diet to lifestyle, there are no indications that it causes ALS to occur. However, these patients usually also do not have a clear medical history.

On the other hand, a small proportion of ALS sufferers have a clear family medical history indicating that many family members have or are experiencing ALS. That's a sign, this condition can also be considered a hereditary disease for some patients.

Even so, the main cause, especially in patients with no family medical history with ALS, has not been identified.

ALS risk factors

A person's risk of developing ALS increases if a person:

• Have a family history of ALS. Five to 10 percent of people with this disease have a family member who has the disease. In families with ALS, their child has a 50:50 chance of developing the disease.
• Age. The risk of ALS increases with age. This condition is most common between the ages of 40 and 60.
• Gender. In the age group <65 years, men are more at risk of developing ALS than women. This tendency disappears after the age of 70.
• Genetic. There are genetic variations that make people more susceptible to this disease.

Environmental factors, as mentioned below, may trigger Lou Gehrig's disease:

• Smoke. Smoking is the only environmental factor that may increase the risk of ALS disease. This risk is greatest in women, especially after menopause.
• Poison exposure. Some evidence suggests that exposure to lead or other substances at work or at home may be linked to this disease.
• Military service. Studies show that people serving in the military have a higher risk of developing ALS.

ALS complications

If the disease progresses, ALS can cause complications, such as:

Breathing problems

Over time, ALS can paralyze the muscles that you use to breathe. You may need a device to help you breathe at night, similar to the device people with sleep apnea use.

The most common cause of death for people with this disease is respiratory failure. On average, death occurs within three to five years after symptoms begin.

Talk problems

Most people with this disease have difficulty speaking. This condition usually occurs slowly, starting with difficulty pronouncing certain words, but getting worse so that you cannot speak clearly at all.

The conversation of people with this disease becomes difficult for others to understand. You may rely on communication technology if you want to talk to other people.

Difficulty eating

People with ALS can experience malnutrition and dehydration problems because of damage to the muscles used for chewing. People with this disease also have a high risk of getting food, fluids, or saliva into the lungs, which can lead to pneumonia.

Dementia

Some people with this disease have problems with memory and decision making, and some are eventually diagnosed with a type of dementia called frontotemporal dementia.

ALS diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

Doctors may diagnose this disease based on a history of medication and physical examination, especially nerves and muscles. According to John Hopkins Medicine, to complete it, doctors will perform several other tests, such as:

• Blood test and urine test.
• Thyroid gland function test.
• Muscle and nerve biopsy.
• Examination of fluid in the brain and spinal cord.
• Examination using X-ray rays.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Electrodiagnostic test to check for disorders of the muscle and motor nerve cells.

What are the treatment options for ALS?

This condition can be overcome with the use of drugs and therapy, such as the following:

1. Use of drugs

There are two drugs that can be used to treat this condition, namely riluzole and edaravone. Riluzole is consumed orally. This drug can increase a sufferer's life expectancy for three to six months.

However, you need to pay attention to the side effects that may arise, such as headaches, indigestion, impaired liver function, and maybe some other side effects.

Meanwhile, edaravone is a drug that is given intravenously. This drug can reduce decreased body function. Even so, this drug does not necessarily guarantee patients to live longer.

As with oral medications, this drug also has the potential to cause side effects, such as bruising, headaches, and shortness of breath. Usually, this medicine is given every day for a period of two weeks every month.

2. Therapy

The therapy suggested by the doctor may be related to the symptoms of ALS you are experiencing. Some of the therapies that can be undertaken are:

• Physical therapy.
• Occupational therapy.
• Speech therapy.

Not only that, people with ALS may need support from the closest people to help them meet their nutritional needs and maintain their mental condition so that they are not disturbed.

For example, it is hoped that family or loved ones can support the needs of healthy food for people with ALS.

In fact, the family is also expected to provide necessities or assistive devices that may be needed at a later date when the patient cannot chew his own food.

In addition, family and loved ones can provide emotional support to the patient by striving to be by the patient's side, because this is the time when the patient needs the support of his loved ones the most.

Home remedies for ALS

The following lifestyle and home remedies may help treat ALS:

• Choose the medications you need to treat specific problems such as breathing and eating.
• Learn as much as you can about ALS and how to reduce symptoms.
• Join a support group for ALS conditions.
• Don't give up hope. Some people live much longer than 5-10 years. Some live longer than 10 years or more.

If you have questions, consult your doctor to find the best solution for you.