Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Essay Example 6
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common neuromuscular disease. It is also know as Lou Gehrig’s disease. In the past, the disease used to affect more men than woman but now it can affect men and women equally. It is predominately affect people within the ages of 40-60 but has been since in people in their teenage years. The exact cause of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is unknown but scientists believe it could be linked to a virus, exposure to neurotoxins or heavy metals, DNA defects, immune system abnormalities and enzyme abnormalities.
There are two major forms of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis familial and sporadic. In familial, it is a mutation of the gene that produces Cu/Zn. The person will inherit the gene SOD-1 from one of their parents. In sporadic, scientists have not figured out a cause. They believe it could be environmental but they also believe it could be genetic. There also is an additional form of ALS called Western Pacific ALS due to the high occurrences of the disease in this location. Again, scientific evidence is not leading to any know causes.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease. The disease itself is the destruction of the cells in the central nervous system that controls movement. The progression of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is very quickly. Up to half of the people with ALS will die within three years. In the beginning of the disease, is will predominately affects the outer limbs, legs and arms, and moving to the center of the body. Over the course of time, the person will become unable to walk, talk and breathe. But in the cruelness of the disease, the person’s mind is completely functioning including the sense of smell and sight. So, the person is well aware of what is occurring within their own body.
Many times in the beginning stages of ALS it can be misdiagnosed. The wide selection of tests will be perform before reaching a diagnoses, which will
There are two major forms of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis familial and sporadic. In familial, it is a mutation of the gene that produces Cu/Zn. The person will inherit the gene SOD-1 from one of their parents. In sporadic, scientists have not figured out a cause. They believe it could be environmental but they also believe it could be genetic. There also is an additional form of ALS called Western Pacific ALS due to the high occurrences of the disease in this location. Again, scientific evidence is not leading to any know causes.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease. The disease itself is the destruction of the cells in the central nervous system that controls movement. The progression of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is very quickly. Up to half of the people with ALS will die within three years. In the beginning of the disease, is will predominately affects the outer limbs, legs and arms, and moving to the center of the body. Over the course of time, the person will become unable to walk, talk and breathe. But in the cruelness of the disease, the person’s mind is completely functioning including the sense of smell and sight. So, the person is well aware of what is occurring within their own body.
Many times in the beginning stages of ALS it can be misdiagnosed. The wide selection of tests will be perform before reaching a diagnoses, which will