Lou Gehrig's Disease Research Paper

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In the medical field, there are several medical conditions and diseases that we come across. Some are popular and some we don't often hear about. The disease I would like to talk about is called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis also known as ALS. Many people know ALS to be known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. This disease is progressive and is a type of motor neuron that slowly breaks down nerve cells and die. It affects the brain and spinal cord. It was first found in 1869, by a neurologist named Jean-Martin Charcot. In 1939, Lou Gehrig a famous baseball players from the New York Yankees ended his career due to ALS. He brought national and international attention to the disease.
Many that develop ALS are the ages of 40 to 70, but 20 and 30 year olds can develope it to. It is more common in men than woman. It is a popular disease among military veterans. Lifestyle and environmental factors could play a role in this disease, A few possible factors between ALS and exposure are: Military service, increased levels of exercise, chemicals, electrical and mechanical trauma. There are two forms of ALS known as sporadic or familial. In the sporadic form, the disease seems to occur at random. Family members that have a relative with the sporadic form are at a risk for the disease. The overall risk is very low and most will not develop ALS. In familial ALS it is inherited from the patient's parents. Also in familial if they have a mutation gene it can show signs of dementia. When someone is diagnosed with ALS they may live 3 or up to 5 years after their diagnosis. Respiratory failure is usually the culprit. About 10 percent of people will survive for 10 or more years. It is important to know that ALS is not contagious and it will almost always progress and it will slowly take away the ability to speak, walk, write, and dress. Many people that suffer from ALS may use a special wheelchair that helps with everyday tasks. These wheelchairs are known as a jazzy electrical wheelchair. These wheelchairs allow the person that has ALS to control with his or her hands. It has several buttons and different seat positions to help with the ALS patient. These wheelchairs are very expensive but there are options that help ALS patients get a chair. The ALS foundation is one of the ways. Also, if the patient was in the military they might be able to receive help through there. Another common topic with ALS patients is their symptoms they might have and or could occur. Muscle weakness that is progressive is a symptom that is found in all cases of ALS. Muscle cramps and twitches and clumsiness and slurred speech will spread to all parts of the body as the ALS patient progresses. Fatigue and difficulty raising the foot, trouble getting dressed impaired voice and trouble writing are all symptoms that develop within time. When it comes to diagnosing ALS many doctors have trouble, because ALS can mimic other diseases. When diagnosing ALS it is important to rule out some other diseases such as HIV, Lyme disease, Multiple Sclerosis and West nile virus. These diseases make it hard to diagnose ALS. Doctors
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Hospice can help with pain control, symptom control, care for wherever the patient wants to live, and also help with emotional and spiritual needs. Also sometimes care being given in a home can be overwhelming some agencies help with a respite care. Respite care is used when a caregiver needs a break. It is important to know these services are out there to help with anyone dealing with ALS.
Through my personal experience, I know a veteran who has ALS. It is a challenge everyday for him to get up and get dressed. I am the one who helps him with his everyday struggle. In the morning, I get him up and I help put his compression socks on and his grip socks. As he lies still in bed he waits for me to help with his leg bag that we attach to the side of his leg. After that we need to sit him up on the side of the bed so I can then place him in a certain lift that allows him to stand straight up, because he no longer has control of his legs. This lift I use

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