Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS: The most common motor
neuron disease of muscular atrophy, ALS results in degeneration of upper
motor neurons in the medulla oblongata and lower motor neurons in the spinal
cord. This neurologic disease causes progressive physical degeneration
but doses not impair the patient’s mental status. Onset usually occurs
between ages 40 and 70. Most patients diagnosis with ALS die within
3 to 10 years after onset, usually due to aspiration pneumonia or respiratory
failure.
Precipitating factors for acute deterioration may include: trauma,
viral ;infections, and physical exhaustion. Disorders that must be
differentiated from ALS include CNS syphilis, multiple sclerosis, spinal
cord tumors, and syringomyelia.
Cause: May be autosomal dominant inheritance, nutritional deficiency
of motor neurons related to a disturbance in enzyme metabolism, or autoimmune
disorders that affect immune complexes in the renal glomerulus and basement
membrane, or metabolic interference in nucleic acid production by the nerve
fibers.
Symptoms:
Atropy and weakness (especially in the muscles of the forearms and the
hands
Impaired speech
Difficulty chewing and swallowing
Difficulty breathing
Excessive drooling and possible choking
Does not impair mental status
Treatment:
No effective treatment exists for ALS
Management aims to control symptoms and provide emotional, psychological,
and physical support