Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Flashcards
ALS prognosis
Not common condition, rare, fatal, and progressive
End of life often to respiratory failure (80% die within 2-5 years of diagnosis)
ALS treatment
no cure
ALS pervalence
Equally – affects males and females – slightly more common in men
what neurons does ALS affect
upper and lower motor neurons
A myo trophic
no muscle nourishment
-the brain loses its ability to control voluntary muscles
Relevance to OTA
education and training on adaptive clothing
benefits: provide sense of independence and empowerment, makes task easier by reducing amount of energy spent, maintain dignity
considerations: assessed and recommended by OT, education and training is proved by OTA
Relevance to PTA
ROM exercises
Benefits: improves flexibility, reduce pain and stiffness
Consideration: slow/steady/gentle, not forced past point of resistance, stop if there is pain or fatigue
Environmental Factors
W/C – tilt and recline, power operated
TOH neuro clinic
ALS society of Canada – equip fund, loan of equip
Most commonly begins _____
in the limbs
Sometimes begins in the muscles responsible for swallowing and speaking – bulbar type
Activity / participation
interactions with family secondary to muscle atrophy and poor voluntary muscle control – outings with children
cooking secondary to difficulty with lifting pots, chopping, fine motor like cutting, opening jars, sensation is NOT affected
occupation secondary to lack of voluntary movements, muscle weakness, difficulty with communication – speech
dressing secondary to difficulty moving limbs, fine motor movements
what is the muscle symptoms
muscle weakness, lack of voluntary control
muscle wasting – atrophy
muscle fasciculations (twitching), cramping
rigid or tight muscles (spasticity)
body function and structure affected
bowel and bladder functions are typically not impaired
sensory: typically, not affected (vision, hearing, smell, touch)
cognitive: possible mild – mod cognitive changes
cardiac: typically, not affected
respiratory: increased coughing, weak/ineffective cough, difficulty breathing, respiratory failure
