ALS Amyotrophic Lateral

Sclerosis(Lou Gehrig’s)

By: Tautiana Bellamy, Trey Urban, Tyler Roper, Skye Perez, Caitlin Lucero, and Gretchen Berg

Tautiana Bellamy

OverviewWhat is ALS?

A disease of the parts of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movement

Named after a Yankees Baseball player who died from it in 1941

ALS is often called motor neurone disease in reference to the cells that are lost in this disorder

Who gets ALS?

Middle age (late 50s)

Men are more likely to develop ALS than women

1.2 men to every women who develops ALS

Tautiana Bellamy

Etiology Suspected causes of ALS include:

Gene mutations

Misdirected immune responses

Chemical imbalances.

These defects cause the body to attack itself, killing off nerve cells that control muscle movement.

5-10% of cases are inherited.

Gretchen Berg

Signs and Symptoms

Twitching or cramping in the muscles of the hands and feet

Slurred speech

Muscles weakening

Difficulty chewing or swallowing

Loss of motor control in the limbs

There are many signs and symptoms of ALS. Many of them are related. Some of the signs and symptoms are as follows:

Uncontrollable periods of laughing or crying

Tripping and falling

Dropping things

Fatigue

Trey Urban

Signs and Symptoms cont.These signs and symptoms are

usually very hard to deal with, especially for

the families of the patients. They tend to be

very frustrating. It is extremely difficult for the

people that are affected by ALS to go on with

their daily lives. Another tough thing to deal

with is the fact that the patient’s time would

eventually be cut short.

Trey Urban

Diagnosis and TestsALS is diagnosed by observing the signs and symptoms of a patient, checking medical and family history, and using several tests to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms. These tests can include an EMG, a NCS, an MRI, blood and urine samples, and a muscle biopsy and are performed by radiologic technologists.

Caitlin Lucero

Treatment and CareAlthough ALS can't be cured, doctors focus on slowing the progression of your condition, relieving your symptoms, helping you maintain function through rehabilitation and improving your quality of life. The team partners with you and your family to provide care and support. Your doctor will decide what medications to put you on, your physical therapy plan, speech therapy plan, assistive devices to best aid you, nutritional support, mental health care, and follow up care plan. Your doctor decides whether to manage your condition with medications based on your symptoms and the severity of your condition. In physical therapy, you may perform low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming and stationary-bicycle riding to strengthen your muscles, improve your heart (cardiovascular) health and fight fatigue and depression. Lou Gehrig's disease affects the muscles you use to speak. A speech therapist can teach you how to speak more clearly to be better understood.

Tyler J.Roper

Treatment and Care: ContinuedTyler J. Roper

Assistive devices can help you maintain as much mobility as possible. Braces can support weakened muscles in your limbs. Canes, walkers and wheelchairs also can help with mobility. As Lou Gehrig's disease weakens muscles you use to breathe, you may need a breathing machine (a mask or a ventilator) to assist with your breathing. As Lou Gehrig's disease progresses, your mind, personality, intelligence, memory and senses usually aren't affected. You're usually aware that you're losing muscle function. Some people become anxious and depressed and benefit from medication and counseling. Your family members may need help coping with your disease and its challenges. Your treatment team offers various resources, education and information for your family. Also, your family members can ask your treatment team for information about connecting with local ALS support groups. The doctors provide coordinated treatment and follow-up care for people who have Lou Gehrig's disease and will work closely with your primary care or local doctor.

Living and ManagingThe ALS patient will be needing a positive pressure ventilator to breathe, this does not need to be used around the clock. The patient will show changes in behavior, diet, mannerisms, and might even have moments of uncontrollable emotional bursts; it is important for the caregiver to know that and recognize it as a symptom of ALS. Massages, heat and rest can help with cramps and twitching in ALS patients. The patient will begin to start drooling and a feeding tube will be needed as the patient will not be able to swallow because the muscles for that function will not work as well. A power chair will want to be considered for the patient because mobility will be limited. A lot of support has been gained from the viral trend known as the ALS Ice Bucket challenge and the ALS Association.

Skye Perez

Referenceshttp://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/amyotrophiclateralsclerosis/detail_ALS.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/basics/causes/con-20024397

http://www.mda.org/disease/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/medical-management

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/care-at-mayo-clinic/treatment/con-20024397

http://www.evenbetterhealth.com/als-symptoms.asp

http://www.medicinenet.com/amyotrophic_lateral_sclerosis/page3.htm

https://www.mda.org/disease/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/overview