ALS

Question 1

ALS

Answer 1

-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
-progressive fatal disease: decreases breathing, anterior horn degeneration
-degeneration of Upper and lower motor neurons
-no cognitive loss
-Average life expectancy: 3yrs
-can be sporadic (MC) or inherited

Question 2

ALS Diagnostics

Answer 2

LMNL: weakness, atrophy
-Brainstem: jaw/face, tounge atrophy
-Cervical: neck, arm, hand, diaphram
-Lumbosacral: back, abdomen, leg/foot

UMNL: spread of reflexes and clonus
-Brainstem: clonic jaw jerk, gag reflex, spaticity
-Cervical: DTRs, hoffmann, spatic tone
-Thoracic: loss of abdominal reflexes
-Lumbosacral: ^^^

Question 3

ALS Symptoms

Answer 3

Fatigue/SOB
-BIPAP or ventilator

Muscle Stiffness/Weakness
-dyphagia (swallowing)
-breathing

Pseudobulbar Palsy
-laughing/crying disconnect

Mood

Sialorrhea
-lots of saliva

Speech Changes

Pain
-lack of movement
-positional
-cramps/contractures

Nutrition
-maintain muscle