Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

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. ALS is more commonly known as Lou Gehrig 's disease; Lou Gehrig…

Lou Gehrig’s disease is also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, this eventually leads to death. The patients lose the ability for the brain to control muscle movement. Since most motor neurons are lost, the patients may eventually become completely paralyzed. Motor neurons can no longer send signals or impulses to the muscle fiber resulting in no muscle…

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disease sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease. According to Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases (2009), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) can be defined as a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive muscular paralysis reflecting degeneration and death of motor neurons in the primary motor cortex, brainstem and spinal cord. In other words, it is a disease that attacks the cells responsible for controlling the muscle action we…

Introduction Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, affecting nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. To better understand the breadth of this disease, it is vital to define the following terms. The word amyotrophic means “without muscle nourishment”, which refers to the loss of signals the neurons normally send to the muscles. Lateral means “to the side”, which refers to the location of the damage in the spinal cord. Sclerosis means “abnormal…

who was in the room with me, the lighting in the room. I remember looking at the clock and the time read 6:57 and for some strange reason, I also remember what I was wearing. This is the day I found out my mother was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS), often referred to as Lou Gherig’s Disease, at the age of 45. For a minute, my world stood still. Did I hear this right? These kinds of things don’t happen in my family, I remember thinking. Upon receiving this…

are linked to the developmental complications of aging. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is an uncommon disease that is known for the degeneration of motor neurons in the brain. The motor neurons that are affected control voluntary movement within the body; the degeneration of these motor neurons cause weakness throughout the body and muscles, paralysis, sclerosis and respiratory failure (Uccelli et al., 2007). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is considered a degenerative disease because it most…

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…

In the United States the Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is sometimes called motor neuron disease. Also known as ALS this disease causes the nerve cells to gradually break down and die. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is known to be a progressive degeneration of the nervous system disease. Which causes muscle weakness and the impact of physical functions. The ALS often begins by the twitching of a leg or arm or the weakening of muscles. In other cases it also begins by the slurring of speech. This…

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. Steve was diagnosed with ALS by his neurologist the following month. Steve breathes via ventilator and…

Imagine reaching out to grab the phone but for some odd reason, it was not possible. You then realize your arm has simply become numb and that soon, it will return to normal. But what if it never did? People suffering with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, experience this everyday until the entire body has become permanently “numb”. This terminal disease affects all but one organ in the person’s body, the brain. What does affect the person’s brain however, is a different disease known as…