Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a serious neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells responsible for controlling muscle movement, gradually leading to muscle weakness and loss of the ability to move.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is often called “Lou Gehrig’s disease” after the baseball player who was diagnosed with it. The exact cause of the disease is still unknown, but a small number of cases are hereditary.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis usually begins with tremors and weakness in the arm or leg muscles, difficulty swallowing or slurred speech. Ultimately, ALS affects muscle control needed for movement, speech, eating and breathing. There is no cure for this deadly disease.
According to the German Society for Muscular Diseases, the disease occurs when motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord are damaged or die, which are the cells that transmit signals from the nervous system to the muscles, allowing the performance of movements such as walking, speaking, and chewing. As the disease progresses, these functions gradually deteriorate, and the affected person may lose the ability to move significantly.
Types of disease
Doctors usually distinguish between three main types of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis depending on where the disease begins:
- Spinal form: It begins in the spinal cord and leads to weakness or partial paralysis of the muscles of the limbs and trunk.
- Bulbous shape: It begins in the brainstem and affects speech and swallowing.
- Respiratory form: It affects the breathing muscles and leads to increasing breathing difficulties.
Possible causes
The exact cause of the disease remains unknown in most cases. It is estimated that about 90 to 95% of cases appear spontaneously without a clear cause, while a small percentage (about 5 to 10%) is associated with genetic factors.
Researchers indicate that several factors may contribute to the occurrence of the disease, such as autoimmune disorders, genetic changes, or exposure to some environmental toxins, but these hypotheses are still under study. Medical sources explain that the disease usually appears between the ages of 40 and 70.
Common symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on where the disease begins, but they often include:
- Progressive muscle weakness
- Muscle twitching and spasms
- Muscular atrophy
- Difficulty speaking or swallowing
- Weakness of the breathing muscles as the disease progresses
Symptoms often start in one hand or arm and then spread to other parts of the body over time.
How does the disease develop?
According to neurological experts, the disease only affects motor neurons, while cognitive abilities and senses such as hearing and vision often remain intact in most patients, although cognitive changes may occur in some cases.
Treatment methods
There is still no cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but some treatments may help slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several medications to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which may prolong survival, slow the rate of deterioration, or help control symptoms. But there is currently no known treatment that stops or reverses the progression of the disease.
One of the most prominent medications used is Riluzole, which may slow the progression of the disease by affecting a neurotransmitter called glutamate. The drug Edaravone has also been approved in some countries, which may help slow the deterioration of motor functions.
Treatment also focuses on relieving symptoms by:
- Physical therapy to maintain muscle movement
- Speech and swallowing therapy
- Respiratory support when needed
- Use assistive devices for movement and communication
Doctors confirm that early diagnosis and regular medical follow-up can help patients manage symptoms and maintain quality of life for as long as possible.