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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

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Acute

What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal type of motor neuron disease. It is characterized by progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain. It's often called Lou Gehrig's disease, after a famous baseball player who died from the disease.

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  • Twitching and cramping of muscles, especially those in the hands and feet.
  • Loss of motor control in the hands and arms.
  • Impairment in the use of the arms and legs.
  • Tripping and falling.
  • Dropping things.
  • Persistent fatigue.
  • Uncontrollable periods of laughing or crying.

Complications of ALS include: Breathing in food or fluid (aspiration) Loss of ability to care for self. Lung failure.

The exact cause of the disease is still not known. A small number of cases are inherited. ALS often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or leg, trouble swallowing or slurred speech. Eventually ALS affects control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe.

Currently, ALS cannot be prevented. Researchers point out, however, that ALS shares aspects with the aging process. They propose that lifestyle measures, like eating a healthy diet and prescribing individualized exercise plans, may help with prevention, though far more study is needed.

  • Genetics. For about 10% of people with ALS, a risk gene was passed down from a family member. This is called hereditary ALS.
  • Age. Risk increases with age up to age 75. ALS is most common between the ages of 60 and the mid-80s.
  • Sex. Before the age of 65, slightly more men than women develop ALS.

How is it diagnosed?

How is it diagnosed?

Exercise, in moderation, may help maintain muscle strength and function. There is no cure and no proven treatment for ALS. However, the FDA approved the medicine riluzole. This is the first drug that has prolonged the survival of people with ALS.

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How is it treated?

Treatment for acute myeloid leukemia is vital. It varies with the patient and stage of the disease. Treatment options include

Your doctor removes a sample of tissue or cells from the body and examines it under a microscope. Spinal tap (also called a lumbar puncture). In this test, your doctor places a special needle into the lower back, into the area around the spinal cord.

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