Learn the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for ALS, a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, speech, and breathing.

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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS is a disease that destroys the nerve cells that are responsible for muscles in adults, resulting in complete paralysis while mentality is intact. ALS is most common in people older than 30 and men are more likely to develop the disease.

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ALS is a fatal condition and death often comes within five years of diagnosis, although some patients can survive longer. Scientists can't find a cure for the disease. Multiple symptoms change while the disease progresses, affecting every part of life, including walking, breathing, and swallowing.

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With ALS, neurons in the brain and spinal cord die. When this happens, your muscles stop getting signals from the brain and become very weak. After that, the muscles stop working and the patient loses control over the body.

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The first symptoms are weakness and stiffness. Patients have trouble with movements, especially with smaller actions like turning a key. Then, falls become common. After some time, patients can't move arms, body, head, and legs.

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Eventually, patients stop breathing. They can keep living with the help of a breathing machine, but after some time they die. The focus of care is to maintain independence for as long as possible, allowing patients to stay active and enjoy life.

Conditions

"Condition" is a general term for particular abnormal diseases that negatively affect a part or all of the body. Conditions are not due to any external injury. Therefore, a broken bone does not classify as a condition, whereas Herpes, OCD, Shingles, and Ulcers do.

Medical conditions are classified by specific symptoms and signs. While each person's experiences can vary, there are consistent signs and symptoms that doctors will look for when diagnosing their patients. We always recommend that people seek a professional diagnosis. Afterward, supplement medical advice and opinion with accurate and easy to read information.

Most people only spend an average of a couple minutes with their doctor during a checkup. Oftentimes patients don't receive the fullest explanation of their diagnosis. Easily search through the vast amount of articles that Facty Health offers for ones that address your specific needs. From there, allow us to help you with those unanswered questions.

Understanding and Managing ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)

9. Diagnosis and treatment options

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