amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (als)

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (als), also referred to as lou gehrig’s disease, is an incurable terminal disease that affects motor neurons, which are cells that control various voluntary and involuntary movements in the glands and muscles.

the nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain are progressively degenerated in als, leading to the devasting symptoms, and eventually death. in als, the physical body is affected, but mental capacity is not affected.

there are two main types of als: sporadic and familial. sporadic develops occur without any known cause and comprises as many as 90-95 per cent of als cases. familial is the inherited type, and is much more rare affecting 5-10 per cent of people with the disease.

both types present similarly in regard to symptoms. the disease will start off with the onset of limb weakness that occurs over the course of a few weeks. a few weeks or months following the first sign of als, another limb will experience the same weakness. other initial symptoms can include slurred speech and difficulty swallowing.

once als progresses and the neurons become more damaged, other symptoms will develop, including:
• cramping and twitches in the muscles
• loss of motor control and impairment in the hands, arms, and legs
• loss of motor function leading to an increase in trips, falls, or dropping things
• persistent fatigue
• uncontrollable fits of laugher or crying
• difficulties speaking or voice projection
• difficulty breathing
• paralysis

to diagnose als, medical providers will conduct various tests to check for signs of the disease. these could include blood and urine tests, muscle or nerve biopsies, and a spinal tap to check for als signs in the cerebral spinal fluid. other tests may include:
• x-rays
• magnetic resonance imaging (mri)
• electrodiagnostic tests and nerve conduction studies to examine the functions of the nerves

there is no cure for als, so treatment revolves around managing symptoms for as long as possible. there are two disease-modifying drugs available in canada for als: rilutek and radicava. these drugs are designed to slow the progression of als. other possible treatments revolve around the specific symptoms people experience.

for example, speech and respiratory therapies can be utilized to help address speaking and breathing issues, respectively. others include:
• moderate exercise to maintain muscle strength and function
• heat therapy to address muscle cramps and pain
• physical therapy to address issues with mobility

medical researchers continue to study als, its mechanisms, and possible treatment avenues to assist patients in maintaining a better quality of life until a cure is found.