Steve, 51, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in May of 2009. In April 2009, Steve visited his primary care physician, Dr. Smith, at our Lady of the Lake. Steve noticed a general pattern of weakness. When playing baseball with his children, he is unable to hold on to the baseball bat as tightly as needed. In addition, Steve stated he had difficulty with eating and hoarseness.…
In time, the motor neurons will completely degenerate, the signals will stop going through the body and the brain will lose control to the movement of the muscle which leads to loss of movement. When the person starts to lose movement in their limbs that is the time they should be under heavy attention because losing their ability to move means they cannot use their arms or legs. That also means the person need assistance going to the bathroom, eating and other everyday tasks. Over time, the muscles in the diaphragm and chest wall will fail to work and the person will need to use a ventilator to breathe and stay alive. The person with ALS will either not have time to get a ventilator and pass away from respiratory failure or have to stop the ventilator and pass…
Paige Slopey Dr. Laurie Ward English II 4 November 2014 A Perspective of ALS A Perspective of ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a muscular disease that affects the upper and lower motor neurons. When the motor neurons die the ability to control muscle movements is no longer there. Before the age of 65, slightly more men than women develop ALS. This gender difference disappears after age 70.…
Waking up one day, remembering that every inch of one’s body can not move, but the mind knows what is going on; asking why is this happening. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig disease, has many people waking up to this feeling. ALS is a disease, where your brain is functioning normal, but other parts of the body are unfunctional. Now the brain is not functioning how it normally should, but the body is functioning how it should be. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a disease that is affecting the brain little by little, but does not change a person’s physical function.…
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, better yet known as A.L.S is a rare, worldwide disease. This neurodegenerative disease can affect any one. Although terminal, it is possible for one to still yet appreciate the rest of their days in life. Dudley Clendinen expresses this in his article "The Good Short Life". Reporter and Editor, Clendinen published this article July of 2011.…
In summary, George situation is a very difficult one and making ethical decision might be very hard for him, but definitely not Euthanasia. Overall, George should follow through with the treatment options that are available to him even though ALS has no Cure. George being a Christian should put all his hope and faith in God, and using the words in the Bible. Our God is a great God and everything about Him is great. God is also a great healer and a Miracle Worker, and He has healed so many sick people according to the Bible, and George should believe that He will heal him.…
Family members do a lot to support the Love and Belonging aspect of their needs, but it is up to a healthcare team to keep the patient fulfilled with these needs. A victim of ALS is aware of the physical changes that are slowly happening so Esteem and Self-Actualization will be difficult for the patient to overcome by themselves. Holistically the terrifying disease of ALS takes over. The whole body physically and mentally is affected and there is nothing doctors or anybody can do. This disease not only affects the patient it affects the whole family.…
ALS eventually leads to death, either by the respiratory system stops working or the cardiovascular system fails. Many athletes are put on machines because most do not accept the fact that he or she might never wake up again. Many are diagnosed with ALS, especially athletes, they are diagnosed at an earlier age because of the repetitive hits to the head that cause brain trauma or concussions. Many athletes slowly start to become disabled because of ALS but the minds are not affected at all by it. Peter Frates was an athlete with ALS and started the ice bucket challenge in order to fund raise for the ones who have been diagnosed with it.…
“Social workers as home care and hospice nurses help patients, families, and caregivers with the medical, emotional, and financial challenges of coping with ALS, particularly during the final stages of the disease” (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). ALS patients have social workers who come in and help the family, caregivers, and patient so the patient can be emotionally, mentally, and try to be physically stable when being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. “Respiratory therapists can help caregivers with tasks such as operating and maintaining respirators” (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). Respiratory therapists are provided for a patient with ALS so that the patient is able to maintain and keep the respirator clean. “Occupational therapists can suggest devices such as ramps, braces, walkers, and wheelchairs that help…
Multiple sclerosis is a standout amongst the most misjudged illnesses of this century. Since its disclosure, there are still no known reasons, no demonstrated medicines, and no known cure, yet it influences conceivably five hundred thousand individuals in the United States alone. Individuals need to take in more about this infection so it can be conveyed to the country's consideration. Different Sclerosis is a focal's ailment sensory system. It pulverizes the greasy myelin sheath that protects your nerve cells.…
Mastering Multiple Sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis is a nasty disease that can leave the person who has the disease immobilized. My dad has Multiple Sclerosis and it makes it very hard for him to walk and get around. It’s hard to see him struggle to walk me down the field for parents night. There is no current cure for Multiple Sclerosis and the only thing doctors recommend are medication to ease the symptoms, but there could be a better way to reverse the disease and stop its progression. Changing your diet by controlling fats and eliminating lectins can be more effective to suppress Multiple Sclerosis symptoms than taking medication that can result in harmful side effects.…
1. The peripheral nervous system, which is divided into the sensory and motor divisions, is involved in physical sensation. Sensory impulses move though the body by being stimulated by a receptor in the skin. It then travels to the sensory neurons and through the afferent fibers, were it will end up at the spinal cord as well as the brain.…
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) are both diseases that affect a victim’s quality of life. Athletes all over the world who play physical sports have died from these rare, yet serious, diseases. In many ways, these conditions are preventable through the precautions of coaches and team advisors of contact sports. Although the cause of ALS has not been fully determined, head trauma may play a key role in the diagnosis. Mild traumatic brain injury or even less minor head injuries can contribute to CTE symptoms.…
Assisted Suicide The debate that has come to the forefront of media lately around assisted suicide is growing. When in November 2014 Brittany Maynard went public with her decision to end her life with aid from her doctor, most of North America heard her story. This brought attention to big questions, that some have been asking for years. When can we decide, for ourselves, that the pain is not worth living?…
Forty four states in America prohibit the use of euthanasia, or assisted suicide, under homicide laws. Year by year the cause gains speed and people more and more come to accept it as morally sound and a human right to die with dignity. People who argue against assisted suicide claim that it devalues human life and limits bodily autonomy, however, it allows for terminally ill or old people to not have to live out incredibly painful lives leading to an overall happier population as seen in Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Many people who support assisted suicide often draw comparisons to when owners put their animals down, on the other hand, people who oppose euthanasia say this argument degrades human life by making such a comparison and…