Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS)
compared to women men are
1 1/2 times more likely to get the disease
80% die within
3 to 5 years
most ALS victims are between the ages of
40 and 70 years of age
average age of onset is
56 years old
in the late stages of ALS person will become
A quad and need 24 hour care.
Progressive muscular atrophy is
A type of ALS in which the nerve damage is confined to one area. In this case, it's the nerves and muscles that control the hands and lower body that become damaged.
middle stages of ALS treatment
AAROM, PROM, relaxation and deep breathing exercises, use suspension slings and mobile arm supports.
OT evaluation for ALS
AROM, PROM, muscle strength and tone within functional limits, ADL skills and chewing/swallowing. Need frequent re-evaluations every week.
ALS is also known as
Lou Gehrig's disease
treatment: OTR and COTA
Motor skills and prevention deformities.
Second type of ALS
Progressive Bulbar Palsy
third type of ALS
Progressive muscular atrophy
some drugs used for ALS
Rilusole slows the rate of nerve damage and may extend your life about three months;Myotrophin
classical ALS is
The most common form of the syndrome. The individual experiences a progressive deterioration of the nerve cells and experience loss of motor function in hands, feet, arms, and legs, in addition to difficulty chewing, speaking and swallowing.
weakened abdominal and throat muscles diminish the---------.
ability to cough.
early-stage ALS feeding issues
adaptive feeding equipment.
The eyes are not-----
affected
with ALS need to address respiratory
and swallowing problems.
genetic causes of ALS
approximately 10% have inherited form no racial ethnic or Socioeconomic boundaries
late stages ALS feeding issues
change food textures and swallowing facilitation tube feeding
Frontotemporal dementia can cause
changes in executive function
first type of ALS
classical ALS
approximately one half of all people with ALS won't exhibit any
cognitive or behavioral changes
---------is a very common frustrating problem with ALS
constipation
AL S causes both the upper and lower motor neurons to
degenerate or die
psychosocial issues with ALS
depression is common and May need meds and counseling.
--------is also a problem due to swallowing difficulties.
drooling
Progressive Bulbar Palsy is
effects about 25% of the people afflicted with ALS. Unlike most other forms, it's symptoms are generally confined to difficulty, speaking, chewing and swallowing.
A person with ALS will need to deal with
end-of-life issues.
ECU
environmental control unit
immune causes of ALS
excessive levels of glutamate can overstimulate motor neurons and cause them to die.
fourth type of ALS
familial
constipation in ALS is due to
gen. immobility, side effects of the meds, muscle weakness with expelling the stool.
------- is one of the most important neurotransmitters for a healthy brain.
glutamate
10% survive
greater than 10 years
The motor neurons in the brain have to send a message to the motor neurons
in the spinal cord
Communication and ALS
initially, Can write, but later may need communication board, ECU, electronic communication aid, or computer with a voice module.
late stages of ALS treatment
intense stretching and ranging plus splinting to prevent contractures.
ALS
is a progressive disease characterized by the degeneration of the motor neurons in the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord, brainstem and tracts.
types of adaptive feeding equipment
light waited, angled, built-up handles, long handles, utensils or scoop dish/plate guard.
Amyotrophic
means loss of muscle
with ALS these things remain intact
mental status and sensory function bowel and bladder
meds are also used for
muscle spasms, drooling and depression
late symptoms of ALS
muscles become flaccid, death results from respiratory problems.
mobility and positioning early-stage
person can ambulate
mobility and positioning middle/late stage
person will use standard wheelchair then progress to reclining or motorized wheelchair, lateral supports/pressure relieving cushions.
treatment is palliative which is
relieve and alleviate
The person with ALS will die due to
respiratory/lung problems and may aspirate.
other causes of ALS
slow acting virus toxic exposure to heavy-metal and hormone deficiencies
The other half of all people with ALS may exhibit
some signs of frontotemporal dementia
other symptoms of ALS
speaking, swallowing, coughing, and breathing.
what other professionals work with feeding issues
speech, dietitian
early stages of ALS treatment
strengthen unaffected muscle groups through graded exercise program, must avoid fatigue, cock up and short opponens splints, mild aerobic exercises.
early symptoms of ALS
twitching and cramping of muscles, especially those in the hands and feet. Loss of motor control in the hands and arms. Tripping and falling. Dropping things. Persistent fatigue.
familial is
used to classify patients who have one or more members of the family who is also been afflicted with this syndrome. It is rare and accounts for only 5 to 10% of ALS cases
ALS does not affect muscles in internal organs such as
your heart, bladder, and digestive tract
