Know the Different Types of Motor Neuron Disease and Their Causes

Did you know that each time you speak to your friend, go for a long walk, or chew your favorite food, your motor neurons coordinate all the muscle activities in your body? They send electrical output signals to the muscles, urging them to function in a coordinated manner. This helps you to perform daily tasks such as gripping, walking, speaking, swallowing, and breathing. When any damage occurs to these cells, they lead to a variety of Motor Neuron Disease.

Understanding the disease thoroughly, including its meaning, symptoms, types, and causes can help families and individuals seek the best Motor Neuron Disease treatment in Bangalore.

Understanding Motor Neuron Disease
Motor Neuron Disease, also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Lou Gehrig's disease, is a group of neurodegenerative disorders that occur when the motor neurons of our body are damaged. It results in the progressive deterioration of the voluntary muscles of our body.

The onset of the disease begins gradually over weeks and months, sometimes starting on one side of the body and then spreading. Initially, some of the most common symptoms are as follows:

• Weakness in the hands and grip leading to difficulty in picking up or holding objects
• Slurred speech (dysarthria)
• Weakness in the legs or shoulder
• Cramps and muscles twitching
• Footdrop caused by weak ankle muscles
• Dragging of the leg

As the disease progresses, individuals can have little or no movement that can lead to troubles in talking, breathing, and swallowing.

Causes of Motor Neuron Disease
There is no identifiable cause for Motor Neuron Disease, but ongoing research has suggested the following causes:

• Toxins
• Environmental chemicals
• Viral infections
• Intense physical activity
• Loss of growth factors to developing motor neurons
• Mitochondrial dysfunction
• Oxidative injury to neurons
• Excessive excitability of neurons

Types of Motor Neuron Disease
There are several different variants of Motor Neuron Disease. They all share the fundamental principle of motor neuron degeneration and vary in their range and degree of symptoms. Take a look at some of them:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
With ALS, you gradually lose control over the muscles that help you walk, talk, chew, swallow, and breathe as it affects both your upper and lower motor neurons. Over time, they weaken and waste away. You may also have stiffness and twitching in your muscles.

Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS)
 
PLS is similar to ALS, but it affects only upper motor neurons. It causes weakness and stiffness in the arms and legs, a slowed walk, and poor coordination and balance. The speech also becomes slow and slurred.

Progressive Bulbar Palsy (PBP)
It damages motor neurons in the brain stem that help you chew, swallow, and speak — resulting in possible slurring of your words and trouble in chewing and swallowing. It also makes it hard to control emotions. Many people with PBP will also eventually develop ALS.

Pseudobulbar Palsy
It affects motor neurons that control the ability to talk, chew, and swallow — causing individuals to laugh or cry with no control.

Progressive Muscular Atrophy
It mainly affects your lower motor neurons, as a weakness originates in your hands and then spreads to other parts of the body. Your muscles get weak and may cramp. It can be inherited or sporadic and can turn into ALS.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy
It is an inherited condition that affects the lower motor neurons, caused by a defect in a gene called SMN1 that makes a protein that protects your motor neurons. Without the protein, they die — resulting in weakness in the upper legs, arms, and trunk.

Treatment for Motor Neuron Disease
There is no cure for Motor Neuron Disease, but various treatments are available to help individuals and families deal with the symptoms. Take a look at some of them and get the best Motor Neuron Disease treatment in Bangalore!

Stem Cell Therapy
In this form of treatment, Stem Cells are derived from the patient’s bone marrow or adipose (fat) tissue. It is a potential new approach for treating Motor Neuron Disease, and even clinical studies have proven that the individuals treated with it have shown noticeable improvement.
Physical Therapy

In Motor Neuron Disease, patients often face problems in walking, maintaining balance, and other movements. Many patients even complain of severe pain in their shoulders and legs. Physical therapy helps to improve posture, prevent joint immobility, and slow muscle weakness and atrophy with the help of stretching and strengthening exercises.

Occupational Therapy

In this therapy, the patients perform various activities to maintain strength, improve endurance, manage fatigue, train hand functions, and foster independence in daily life tasks and community mobility.

Speech Therapy

Speech and swallowing difficulties are common in individuals with the disease, and these problems usually progress over time. Speech therapy helps these individuals to maintain communication and swallowing skills for as long as possible, manage symptoms, and adopt compensatory strategies for loss of function.

No matter what the type of Motor Neuron Disease, with prolonged care, support, and guidance from loved ones, as well as the best Motor Neuron Disease treatment in Bangalore, individuals can live up to 20 years and beyond.