A feeding tube can reduce these risks and ensure proper hydration and nutrition. They are also at higher risk of getting food, liquids or saliva into the lungs, which can cause pneumonia. This can lead to malnutrition and dehydration. People with ALS can develop weakness of the muscles involved with swallowing. Other forms of communication and technology are used to communicate. This can progress to the point that others can't understand the person's speech. This usually starts with slower speech and occasional slurring of words. Most people with ALS develop weakness of the muscles used to form speech. However, some people with ALS live 10 years or longer. Half of people with ALS die within 14 to 18 months of diagnosis. The most common cause of death for people with ALS is breathing failure. A ventilator may work better on a tracheostomy than on a mask. This is a surgically created hole at the front of the neck leading to the windpipe. Some people with advanced ALS choose to have a tracheostomy. This type of device supports the person's breathing through a mask worn over the nose, the mouth or both. The device is similar to what someone with sleep apnea might wear. People with ALS might need a device such as a mask ventilator to help them breathe at night. Over time, ALS leads to weakness of the muscles used to breathe. It might include exposure to certain metals or chemicals, traumatic injuries, viral infections, or intense exertion.Īs the disease progresses, ALS causes complications, such as: Breathing problems It's not clear what about military service might trigger ALS. Studies indicate that people who have served in the military are at higher risk of ALS. Much study has been done, but no one agent or chemical has been consistently associated with ALS. Some evidence suggests that exposure to lead or other substances in the workplace or at home might be linked to ALS. Women who smoke seem to be at even higher risk, particularly after menopause. Evidence supports that smoking is an environmental risk factor for ALS. This sex difference disappears after age 70.Įnvironmental factors, such as the following, have been associated with an increased risk of ALS. Before the age of 65, slightly more men than women develop ALS. ALS is most common between the ages of 60 and the mid-80s. In most people with hereditary ALS, their children have a 50% chance of inheriting the gene. For about 10% of people with ALS, a risk gene was passed down from a family member. Risk factorsĮstablished risk factors for ALS include: Most theories center on a complex interaction between genes and factors in the environment. Researchers continue to study possible causes of ALS. As a result, the muscles can't function.įor about 10% of people with ALS, a genetic cause can be identified. When motor neurons are damaged, they stop sending messages to the muscles.
They're referred to as lower motor neurons.ĪLS causes both groups of motor neurons to gradually deteriorate and then die. The second group extends from the spinal cord to muscles throughout the body. They're referred to as upper motor neurons. The first group extends from the brain to the spinal cord to muscles throughout the body. These nerve cells are called motor neurons. It also usually doesn't affect the senses, including the ability to taste, smell, touch and hear.ĪLS affects the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movements such as walking and talking. ALS doesn't usually affect bladder control. Pain also is not common in the later stages. There's generally no pain in the early stages of ALS. This eventually affects chewing, swallowing, speaking and breathing. Muscles get weaker as more nerve cells die. Then it spreads to other parts of the body. Weakness associated with muscle cramps and twitching in the arms, shoulders and tongue.ĪLS often starts in the hands, feet, arms or legs.Trouble walking or doing usual daily activities.ALS generally begins with muscle weakness that spreads and gets worse over time. Symptoms depend on which nerve cells are affected. Symptoms of ALS vary from person to person.
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