ALS
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a progressive disorder that is inherited or acquired. It affects motor neurons. Motor neurons are cells that are in the brain, brain stem and spinal cord and their function is to carry an electrical signal to a muscle and trigger it to contract or relax. Medical terminology, a means without, my is muscle and trophic is nourishment. Lateral is pertaining to the side/direction that is affected and sclerosis is an abnormal condition of hardening. It was originally discovered in 1969 by Pathologist Jean-Martin Charcot, but because Lou Gehrig was known nationally for baseball and this disease caused him to retire, the world didn’t recognize it until the 1930’s. ALS is also referred to Lou Gehrig’s disease and Motor Neuron Disease in some …show more content…
There are 5 different known types of ALS. Familial, which is inherited. “Only about 5 to 10% of all ALS patients appear to have genetic or inherited form of ALS. In those families, there is a 50% chance each offspring will inherit the gene mutation and may develop the disease.”(“Forms of ALS,” 2015) Classical ALS, which affects two-thirds of people and it affects upper and lower motor neurons. Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS), is the rarest form and it affects the upper neurons with the possibility of the lower. If the lower aren’t affected within 2 years than it remains an upper motor neuron disease. Progressive Bulbar Palsy (PBP), affects lower motor neurons and affects about 25% of people. The last is Progressive Muscular Atrophy (PMA), affects the lower motor neurons. If the upper neurons stay unaffected within 2 years, it remains a lower neuron
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a progressive disorder that is inherited or acquired. It affects motor neurons. Motor neurons are cells that are in the brain, brain stem and spinal cord and their function is to carry an electrical signal to a muscle and trigger it to contract or relax. Medical terminology, a means without, my is muscle and trophic is nourishment. Lateral is pertaining to the side/direction that is affected and sclerosis is an abnormal condition of hardening. It was originally discovered in 1969 by Pathologist Jean-Martin Charcot, but because Lou Gehrig was known nationally for baseball and this disease caused him to retire, the world didn’t recognize it until the 1930’s. ALS is also referred to Lou Gehrig’s disease and Motor Neuron Disease in some …show more content…
There are 5 different known types of ALS. Familial, which is inherited. “Only about 5 to 10% of all ALS patients appear to have genetic or inherited form of ALS. In those families, there is a 50% chance each offspring will inherit the gene mutation and may develop the disease.”(“Forms of ALS,” 2015) Classical ALS, which affects two-thirds of people and it affects upper and lower motor neurons. Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS), is the rarest form and it affects the upper neurons with the possibility of the lower. If the lower aren’t affected within 2 years than it remains an upper motor neuron disease. Progressive Bulbar Palsy (PBP), affects lower motor neurons and affects about 25% of people. The last is Progressive Muscular Atrophy (PMA), affects the lower motor neurons. If the upper neurons stay unaffected within 2 years, it remains a lower neuron