The patient may benefit from additional therapies and treatments. When speech gets more difficult, the patient may opt for speech lessons, which could be beneficial. They should avoid foods that are hard to swallow, as well as make sure that they are receiving efficient amounts of the recommend daily nutrients. A healthy diet is important in prolonging the patient’s life. A feeding tube may eventually be inserted when swallowing becomes too difficult for the patient. The patient may also benefit from using a device that will assist the patient in breathing while they are asleep. Eventually, when the muscles are severely weakened, the patient may need to use the device at all times, and may need a ventilation device. The decision to put the
…show more content…
Nerves and muscles in the body send electrical signals throughout the body- sending and receiving messages to the brain. Electro diagnostic testing helps the doctor to get a better understanding of how those electrical signals are functioning in the body. There are two types of electro diagnostic testing; Electromyography, more commonly known as an EMG, and Nerve Conduction Studies, or NCS. An EMG allows the doctor to monitor and understand the electrical action that takes place within the body. When a doctor performs an EMG, he/she sticks small electrodes in the place that the patient is experiences abnormal weakness or discomfort. The patient must be relaxed and still, and the doctor will be able to watch the activity on a screen. If the muscle is normal, there will be no electric activity occurring when it is at rest and the activity will increase when the muscle is contracting. If the muscle shows signs of activity during the resting period, it usually means there is an abnormality. The other commonly used form of diagnostic testing, called Nerve Conduction Studies, are often used alongside the EMGs to see if the nerves are functionally normally or abnormally along with the muscles. In a Nerve Conduction Study, the doctor would tape electrodes to the patient’s body and send an electric current to trigger nerve activity. If the nerves are …show more content…
The treatments available are not meant to stop the disease, but rather control it. Prescriptions of Riluzole along with other treatments can help the patient to live through the disease more comfortably. As previously mentioned, Riluzone has “anti-excitotoxicity properties” and is an anti-glutamate agent. According to studies done by the Department of Neurology of Hebei China, Riluzole helps to reduce the over accumulation of glutamate which would ultimately reduce the overstimulation of the glutamate receptors- slowing the progression of the disease. The study suggests that riluzole offers protection of the
Nerves and muscles in the body send electrical signals throughout the body- sending and receiving messages to the brain. Electro diagnostic testing helps the doctor to get a better understanding of how those electrical signals are functioning in the body. There are two types of electro diagnostic testing; Electromyography, more commonly known as an EMG, and Nerve Conduction Studies, or NCS. An EMG allows the doctor to monitor and understand the electrical action that takes place within the body. When a doctor performs an EMG, he/she sticks small electrodes in the place that the patient is experiences abnormal weakness or discomfort. The patient must be relaxed and still, and the doctor will be able to watch the activity on a screen. If the muscle is normal, there will be no electric activity occurring when it is at rest and the activity will increase when the muscle is contracting. If the muscle shows signs of activity during the resting period, it usually means there is an abnormality. The other commonly used form of diagnostic testing, called Nerve Conduction Studies, are often used alongside the EMGs to see if the nerves are functionally normally or abnormally along with the muscles. In a Nerve Conduction Study, the doctor would tape electrodes to the patient’s body and send an electric current to trigger nerve activity. If the nerves are …show more content…
The treatments available are not meant to stop the disease, but rather control it. Prescriptions of Riluzole along with other treatments can help the patient to live through the disease more comfortably. As previously mentioned, Riluzone has “anti-excitotoxicity properties” and is an anti-glutamate agent. According to studies done by the Department of Neurology of Hebei China, Riluzole helps to reduce the over accumulation of glutamate which would ultimately reduce the overstimulation of the glutamate receptors- slowing the progression of the disease. The study suggests that riluzole offers protection of the