Complications of ALS: What To Watch Out For

 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It affects about 5 people out of every 100,000 globally and often shows up without any apparent cause. With a reduced lifespan and a steady reduction in the ability to function, ALS is one of the hardest diagnoses to receive. This makes it all the more important to understand how the condition works and the best ALS treatment options available.

Understanding Motor Neuron Diseases

Motor Neuron Diseases are a group of neurodegenerative disorders that selectively affect motor neurons — the cells which control all the voluntary muscles of the body. The voluntary muscles are responsible for performing movements under one’s will and thus, Motor Neuron Diseases affect one’s ability to perform voluntary movements.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a condition that affects the neurons controlling voluntary muscle movement. As a result, the brain can no longer send messages to the muscles. This causes them to weaken and eventually die. ALS is an inherited disease in about 5-10% of patients, with causes unknown for the rest. Some researchers suggest that a combination of environmental and genetic factors may be involved. 

Symptoms of ALS

Typically, the first symptoms of ALS crop up between 40 and 60 years of age. The initial symptoms tend to involve muscle weakness in one or both arms or legs, making it hard to walk around, get up from a chair, or take the stairs. The patient may experience hand clumsiness, muscle cramps and twitches, or slurred speech. However, there is usually no pain in either the earlier or the later stages of ALS. 

Complications of ALS

As muscle degeneration progresses with time, patients with ALS lose their ability to function normally and look after themselves. Patients in late stages also lose the ability to speak, chew, swallow, and even breathe.

Eating problems

Advanced ALS damages the muscles that control swallowing, which can lead to malnutrition and dehydration. Muscle degeneration also increases the risk of food, liquid, or saliva going down the windpipe into the lungs, which could lead to pneumonia.

Speaking problems

Most patients with ALS experience some slurred speech at the onset of the disease, which becomes much more severe with time. They may need to use other communication technologies (as British physicist Stephen Hawking did) to make themselves understood.

Breathing problems

As the disease progresses, it paralyzes the muscles that control breathing. One of the commonest causes of death for ALS patients is respiratory failure. You may require a device to help them breathe while sleeping, like people with sleep apnea might use. With advanced ALS, they may also need a full-time respirator.

Dementia

Some patients may experience memory loss and trouble with decision-making, a condition known as frontotemporal dementia. 

Other problems

People with ALS tend to lose weight rapidly and have bed sores from always being in a supine position. In addition, since patients with ALS are fully aware of their physical degeneration, depression, anxiety, and mood swings are also common among them.

Treatment for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Treatment can help slow the progression of ALS and make the symptoms more manageable. Treatment plans typically include Stem Cell Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. Patients at later stages of the condition will also require 24x7 care from a medical attendant or family member. As breathing gets affected, the physician may recommend the use of a ventilator or other breathing aids.

Living with ALS can be challenging for both the patient and their loved ones. If someone in your family has ALS or if you have been experiencing initial symptoms, it is essential that you see a physician right away and get an early diagnosis. By understanding how the condition progresses and the possible complications that can arise from it, the patient can benefit from the best ALS treatment right from the beginning and enjoy a more fulfilling and independent life.