Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
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- Category: Science
- Date Submitted: 03/17/2015 08:09 AM
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also referred to as Lou Gerhig’s disease and Charcot
disease, is a disorder that involves the death of neurons. ALS is characterized by stiff muscles,
the twitching of muscles and gradually worsening weakness due to muscle deterioration. This
results difficulty of speaking, swallowing and eventually breathing. Many who contract this
disease die to respiratory failure. When was this disease discovered? Is there a cure? We will
soon find out.
ALS usually starts around age 60, inherited cases usually start around age 50. There is no
known cause of ALS. About 5-10% of cases are inherited from parents. About half of these
genetic cases are due to one of two specific genes. It results in the death of the neurons that
control voluntary muscles. The diagnosis is based on a person's signs and symptoms with testing
done to rule out other potential causes.
Descriptions of the disease date back to 1824, by a man named Charles Bell. In 1869
connections between the symptoms and the neurological problems were first described by Jean
Charcot, who in 1874 began using the term amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. ALS became well
known in the United States when it affected famous baseball player Lou Gehrig, and 20th
century Stephen Hawking.
The start of ALS may be so subtle that the symptoms are overlooked. The earliest
signs of ALS are obvious weakening of muscles or muscle atrophy. Other symptoms may
include slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, cramping, or stiffness of affected muscle.
The parts of the body affected by early symptoms of ALS depend on which motor neurons are
damaged.
Around 75% of people that contract ALS first experience weakness of an arm or leg.
Awkwardness while running or walking or tripping and stumbling...
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also referred to as Lou Gerhig’s disease and Charcot
disease, is a disorder that involves the death of neurons. ALS is characterized by stiff muscles,
the twitching of muscles and gradually worsening weakness due to muscle deterioration. This
results difficulty of speaking, swallowing and eventually breathing. Many who contract this
disease die to respiratory failure. When was this disease discovered? Is there a cure? We will
soon find out.
ALS usually starts around age 60, inherited cases usually start around age 50. There is no
known cause of ALS. About 5-10% of cases are inherited from parents. About half of these
genetic cases are due to one of two specific genes. It results in the death of the neurons that
control voluntary muscles. The diagnosis is based on a person's signs and symptoms with testing
done to rule out other potential causes.
Descriptions of the disease date back to 1824, by a man named Charles Bell. In 1869
connections between the symptoms and the neurological problems were first described by Jean
Charcot, who in 1874 began using the term amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. ALS became well
known in the United States when it affected famous baseball player Lou Gehrig, and 20th
century Stephen Hawking.
The start of ALS may be so subtle that the symptoms are overlooked. The earliest
signs of ALS are obvious weakening of muscles or muscle atrophy. Other symptoms may
include slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, cramping, or stiffness of affected muscle.
The parts of the body affected by early symptoms of ALS depend on which motor neurons are
damaged.
Around 75% of people that contract ALS first experience weakness of an arm or leg.
Awkwardness while running or walking or tripping and stumbling...