Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurological disease; this condition is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which will eventually lead to the death of the individual. ALS affects the neurons which control movement of voluntary muscles. ALS belongs to a group of diseases called motor neuron diseases, wherein the nerve cells degenerate. ASL progresses at very fast rate and never gets better.
The motor neurons in the brain are called upper motor neurons, while the motor neurons in the spinal cord are called lower motor neurons. Messages from upper motor neurons are transmitted to lower motor neurons and from there to particular voluntary muscle. In ALS both upper and lower motor neurons degenerate and die; therefore, impulse messages from the nervous system cannot reach the muscles. As muscles get fewer and fewer signals from nervous system, the muscles cannot function properly slowly weaken. As the disease progresses, the brain’s ability to control voluntary movements of muscles is lost.
Thus, a person suffering from ALS gradually becomes disabled as his/her muscles atrophy and weakens. Eventually, the muscles in chest wall and diaphragm weaken; the individual will lose his/her ability to breathe without being connected to a ventilator. Most people with ALS live from three to five years after diagnosis; however, approximately 10 percent of the people with ALS live ten years or more.
ALS normally does not affect hearing, taste, smell or touch. The individual is usually able to control their bowel and bladder and eye control. ALS normally does not impair one’s intelligence or mind. In last stages of the disease patient will need physical help or support go to the toilet.
Who gets ALS?
Men are more likely to get ALS than women. It is more likely that people between the ages of 40 to 60 will get ALS; however, people older than 60 and younger than 40 have developed this condition. It is believed that thin, athletic individuals are more likely to get ALS than heavier non-athletic people.
An estimated 5,000 people in the US are diagnosed with ALS every year. ALS occurs at random and there are no clearly defined risk factors. If one has ALS it is not likely that his family members will also get it. It is believed that a small percentage of ALS cases may be caused by genetics, but no gene has been clearly identified as the root cause of ALS.
There are different types of ALS, which include sporadic, familial, and Guamanian ALS. Sporadic ALS is the most common form of the disease. Of all the people who have ALS, 90 to 95 percent of them have sporadic ALS. Familial ALS is caused by genetics. Guamanian ALS is most prevalent in Guam and the Pacific region.
How is ALS diagnosed?
The doctor will order blood and respiratory testing. A muscle biopsy may also be ordered to evaluate the condition of the muscle fibers. An electromylogram should be done to measure the muscle’s ability to receive electrical signals.
There is no known cure for ALS. There is a medication, Riluzole, which can prolong life by slowing down the degenerative process. ALS is usually managed with the help of technology. As the disease progresses, life support will be necessary. Now, with computer technology, there is much progress with thought translators. Thought translators are classified as brain-computer-interface technology. This fairly new technology has given people with ALS some of their independence back. More research is being done to improve BCI technology to help people suffering from ALS and other debilitating conditions.