Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
ALS
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gherig’s is a neuromuscular disease, being that it affects the nerves and the muscles. It damages motor neurons in the spine and some in the brain. ALS is considered hereditary but is not in all cases. 90% of patients suffer from SALS, or sporadic ALS and is not hereditary directly. Approximately 10% of patients are diagnosed with familial ALS (FALS) which is passed down from parents. Family history is used to distinguish between the two, if one or more person had ALS, or troubles with speech or walking, it is more likely to have FALS than SALS. FALS can be inherited in more than three ways; autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive or X-linked. Autosomal dominant is when the person affected …show more content…
Lifespan depends on the person and the individual case of ALS. A very small amount of cases have been recorded to be treated and the disease does not come back, but no doctor or specialist can determine why. ALS affects people more as they grow older. 55 is the average age for diagnosis. It is 20% more likely that a man will get it over a woman. About 15 new cases of ALS are diagnosed a day in the United States which results in 5,600 patients a year. Most patients need home care assistance when diagnosed with ALS. For a long time, there was idea as to how to respond to the disease. Not until late 1995 was there a drug that was made to help ALS patients. Riluzole was the first drug approved by the FDA. Riluzole does not cure patients, but it is supposed to slow down the process. Riluzole is reported to give patients at least a few more months. Although doctors do not know the cause of ALS or is there a cure, they are working very hard. Individual treatment is served based on the patient and their doctor. Therapy will be used to try and stop the deterioration of the muscles and nerves as well. Lou Gehrig’s disease is a terrible thing, even worse that it does not have a cure.Scientists and doctors are working dilligently together to make better things happen for the world and patients of Amyotrophic Lateral
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gherig’s is a neuromuscular disease, being that it affects the nerves and the muscles. It damages motor neurons in the spine and some in the brain. ALS is considered hereditary but is not in all cases. 90% of patients suffer from SALS, or sporadic ALS and is not hereditary directly. Approximately 10% of patients are diagnosed with familial ALS (FALS) which is passed down from parents. Family history is used to distinguish between the two, if one or more person had ALS, or troubles with speech or walking, it is more likely to have FALS than SALS. FALS can be inherited in more than three ways; autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive or X-linked. Autosomal dominant is when the person affected …show more content…
Lifespan depends on the person and the individual case of ALS. A very small amount of cases have been recorded to be treated and the disease does not come back, but no doctor or specialist can determine why. ALS affects people more as they grow older. 55 is the average age for diagnosis. It is 20% more likely that a man will get it over a woman. About 15 new cases of ALS are diagnosed a day in the United States which results in 5,600 patients a year. Most patients need home care assistance when diagnosed with ALS. For a long time, there was idea as to how to respond to the disease. Not until late 1995 was there a drug that was made to help ALS patients. Riluzole was the first drug approved by the FDA. Riluzole does not cure patients, but it is supposed to slow down the process. Riluzole is reported to give patients at least a few more months. Although doctors do not know the cause of ALS or is there a cure, they are working very hard. Individual treatment is served based on the patient and their doctor. Therapy will be used to try and stop the deterioration of the muscles and nerves as well. Lou Gehrig’s disease is a terrible thing, even worse that it does not have a cure.Scientists and doctors are working dilligently together to make better things happen for the world and patients of Amyotrophic Lateral