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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
How long does it take for someone with ALS to go from onset to paralysis?
Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis generally progress from onset to paralysis within three to four years. The condition typically involves the progressive degeneration, degeneration, and necrosis of brain nerve cells. Severe and irreversible damage can occur in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, also known as motor neuron disease. Motor neuron disease restricts our movement, speech, swallowing, breathing, and muscle activity, causing muscles to gradually atrophy and degenerate, leading to progressive weakness and paralysis. Even speaking, swallowing, and breathing functions degrade, potentially leading to respiratory failure and life-threatening situations, requiring proactive treatment.
How to exercise for swallowing difficulties in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Swallowing difficulties in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis primarily involve exercises for oral muscles. Improvement in the movement of oral muscles can alleviate symptoms of swallowing difficulties. Rehabilitation training for oral muscle disorders mainly includes enhancing the movements of the lips, tongue, and lower jaw. Individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis who have brainstem damage and medullary damage may experience swallowing difficulties, water drinking issues, and cough choking, primarily due to sensory disturbances in the throat. By utilizing temperature and sensory stimulation, the sensation in the patient's throat can be restored, allowing them to perceive the temperature and taste of food, thus reducing aspiration. After brainstem damage, the cricopharyngeal muscle does not open, which can be improved through balloon dilation and medication to enhance swallowing function.
What to do with respiratory failure in the late stage of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is an irreversible disease, also known as motor neuron disease. Its motor function deteriorates progressively and irreversibly. Therefore, in the advanced stages, respiratory failure can only be managed with the help of a ventilator, which assists the patient's breathing mechanically. Consequently, patients typically require a tracheotomy in the late stages of the disease. Once connected to a ventilator via a tracheotomy, the ventilator becomes a permanent necessity. If at any point the ventilator is stopped, the patient would die due to lack of oxygen and the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the body. Therefore, they must wear the ventilator for life. Inevitably, this leads to respiratory-related complications, such as lung infections.
What should people with ALS do if they cannot eat?
People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis who are unable to eat may try liquid and semi-liquid diets, using warm liquids, eating little by little. If they cannot consume a liquid diet, they may need to resort to nasogastric feeding. A gastric tube is used for feeding, through which high-nutrition, high-protein, and high-calorie diets can be provided to sustain and extend the life of those with the condition. Avoid overeating and engage in appropriate exercise, paying attention to the functions of the respiratory and digestive systems. If there is excessive saliva, a small amount of antihistamine medication can be administered. If there is an excess of phlegm, nebulized inhalation and expectorant medications might be provided. If feeding through a gastric tube is also limited, intravenous nutritional support can be given.
Can amyotrophic lateral sclerosis be relieved?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) refers to a motor neuron disease, and generally speaking, there are no effective alleviation measures for this disease. Currently, the specific causes and pathogenesis of this disease are not very clear. Various factors lead to the simultaneous damage of both upper and lower motor neurons in patients. Clinical manifestations include muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, and fasciculations. Additionally, patients may experience difficulties with swallowing, choking while drinking water, and speech disorders. In its most severe form, it can affect breathing, leading to respiratory failure. This disease progressively worsens, and the prognosis is generally poor with no effective relief methods available.
Is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) contagious?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is not contagious. It is a genetic disease associated with autosomal dominant inheritance and is not considered an infectious disease. The exact cause of ALS is still unclear. Commonly identified mechanisms include genetic factors, inflammatory agents, excitotoxic effects from amino acids, infections, autoimmune factors, exposure to toxins, and heavy metal poisoning from metals like lead, mercury, and aluminum. Other contributing factors may include a deficiency in nerve growth factors, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis. These factors may likely be involved in the development of ALS symptoms, but the disease is not communicable.
Does amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cause numbness in the hands?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) refers to a motor neuron disease. Patients with this disease generally do not experience numbness in the hands, mainly because it primarily affects the motor system and does not impact the sensory system. Thus, the vast majority of patients will not have sensory disturbances or experience clinical manifestations of numbness in the hands. The specific causes and mechanisms of this disease are still not very clear, but they may be related to genetic factors, the toxic effects of excitatory amino acids, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Symptoms in patients gradually worsen, and respiratory function impairment may also occur. However, so far, there is no effective cure.