Lou Gehrig Disease is a condition marked by slow death of particular nerve cells or motor neurons of the spinal cord & brain which are responsible for controlling muscles which facilitate a person in moving varied regions of the body. It is also known as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Individuals with Lou Gehrig Disease experience gradual but certain disablement. The rate at which the condition deteriorates differs from person to person. A number of individuals live with Lou Gehrig Disease though with passage of time it makes it trickier in walking, eating, speaking, breathing and swallowing. Such issues could be causal to injuries, illnesses & finally fatality.
It could be quite intimidating to discover that one has Lou Gehrig’s disease. Discussing with an expert, going in for counselling or enrolling in support groups could assist the person in managing and dealing with the emotions. Even kin members of the patient might require assistance through counselling or assistance when the patient’s condition deteriorates.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rare disease with solely one to two individuals from one lakh developing it annually in the U.S. & across the globe. Males get this disease more frequently as compared to females and could arise irrespective of age, however mostly commencing in those from the middle age & older-age adult groups.
Scientists have since long doubted an association in-between Lou Gehrig’s disease & injury suffered when playing sports or fight.
During a 2007 trial appearing in the journal ‘American Journal of Epidemiology’ people who cited having suffered recurring injury had a three folds greater likelihood of having Lou Gehrig’s disease as compared to those stating no injury. It is quite likely that physical injuries might be some form of triggering factor and nerve injuries may aggravate the condition though there is an apparent underlying heritable pre-disposition.
Causes
Physicians are unsure about the reasons causing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In around one from ten people it is familial which translates to the fact that in nine from ten times an individual having this condition does not have a kin member with the condition. Lou Gehrig’s disease is a non-contagious condition. Most of the cases are intermittent & believed to be stemming from a mean, intricate interaction of heritable & environmental risk factors.
In spite of major advancements in Lou Gehrig’s disease over the last ten years – inclusive of identification of novel genetic mutations & flawed proteins presently identified to be contributory to the death of affected motor neurons – the reason for this condition arising & cure still eludes all.
Symptoms
The foremost sign of Lou Gehrig’s disease is mostly weakness experienced in one of the hands, legs, facial area or tongue. This feeling then gradually is felt on right as well as left hands and legs arising due to gradual death of motor neurons that halt transmitting signals to these muscles which eventually become weak & small in size.
With passage of time, the disease is causal to muscle twitches, problems trying to use hand & fingers when doing chores & difficulties faced when trying to talk, ingest, walk and breathe.
Several of these symptoms bear resemblance to other conditions and it imperative to seek medical assistance in case the person is symptomatic.
Diagnosis & Tests
Lou Gehrig’s disease diagnosis could be tricky for the physician and it might not be apparent that a person is having this condition till worsening of symptoms occurs or till the physician has conducted additional testing. Physical examination by the physician is done and tests conducted for checking functioning of nerve, muscle types.
Tests required for corroborating the disease might entail:
- MRI, CAT scans done of the brain.
- Blood analysis.
- Nerve conduction studies for checking nerve functioning.
- Muscle biopsy.
- EMG for measurement of nerve, muscle working.
In case the physician doubts that a person has Lou Gehrig’s disease then referral to neurologist might be done for ascertaining presence.
Treatment
Regrettably there no cure for this condition, however therapy could help in maintaining strength & independence for longer time while also avoiding others issues related to the condition.
Physiotherapy, occupational therapy could assist in this process and speech therapy could assist in keeping speech capability subsequent to speech issues start arising. Physicians might even recommend a number of medications for allaying symptoms.