ALS is a disease that causes gradual loss of control and weakness of muscles. The mind is usually not affected, despite worsening weakness of the body. It is very rare. About 1 new case per 100,000 people is diagnosed each year. ALS affects the nerves in your brain and spinal cord that control your muscles. These nerves break down and disappear. Your muscles then become weak and waste away because the nerves that stimulated them are gone.
What are the causes of ALS?
The cause of ALS is not known. It is seen in some families. Also, some ethnic groups, such as Pacific Islanders, appear to be at greater risk. However, ALS most often occurs in people who have no family history of the disease.
What are the Symptoms of ALS ?
Symptoms mostly appear in people who are between 40 and 70 years old. The symptoms worsen more rapidly in some people than in others, leading to death. The symptoms may be:
- Muscle cramps and twitching
- Weakness in your hands and painless difficulty with small tasks, such as fastening buttons, turning a key, or opening a door
- Weakness in your feet and ankles, causing your feet to drag when you walk (called foot drop)
- Stiffness in your arms and legs
- Slurring or slowing of speech
- Difficulty swallowing
- Decreased ability to make facial expressions
- Fatigue
- Weight loss.
The disease begins slowly, most often affecting just one limb, such as a hand, at first. As time passes, more limbs and muscle areas become affected.
The person may become more dependent as his disability increases. Eventually the person may be able to move only your eyes. To others it may look like that the person is in a coma, but he remains fully conscious and aware of the surroundings. The person will be able to see, hear, taste, smell, and recognize touch. Bowel and bladder functioning are not affected. The person may become too weak to breathe and need the help of a ventilator
How is it Diagnosed?
There is no specific test for ALS. The doctor will do normal examination and may ask your medical history. He may ask to take electromyogram (EMG)to test the muscles and nerves.
How is it treated?
There is no cure for this disease. Treatment includes relieving symptoms and providing supportive care. Emotional support from friends and family is very important in helps the person to cope with this disease.
During early stages of the disease, the person can try to remain moderately active. Physical therapy can help in keeping the muscles active and delay weakness.
Tips to take care
Yes ! self help is the best help ,he can try to do these things
- Maintain good emotional health with support from the family, & friends. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise for as long as possible.
- Learn about ALS, so that he can handle himself better.