Motor Neuron Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Flashcards
The cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is:
unknown.
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a loss of ______________
exclusively upper and lower motor neurons.
“What Is the Most Likely Diagnosis?”
Look for ______ of unclear etiology starting in the _____s with a unique
combination of ________ and ________.
weakness
20s to 40
upper and lower motor neuron loss.
The most serious
presentation is ______ and a ___________. This leads to pooling of ________ and frequent episodes of ______-
difficulty in chewing and swallowing
decrease in gag reflex.
saliva in the pharynx
aspiration.
A _____ and loss of _____ offer poor prognosis
weak cough
swallowing
T/F In ALS, there is no sensory loss and the sphincters are spared.
T
Upper motor neurons (dysfunction?) in ALS present with:
Weakness
Spasticity
Hyperreflexia
Extensor plantar responses
Lower motor neurons (dysfunction?) in ALS present with:
Weakness
Wasting
Fasciculations
Electromyography reveals:
loss of neural innervation in multiple muscle groups.
CPK levels are
elevated.
Among the treatment options: _____ reduces glutamate buildup in neurons and may prevent progression of disease.
Riluzole
________ treats spasticity.
Baclofen
_____ and ____ help with respiratory difficulties secondary to muscle weakness.
CPAP and BiPAP
ultimately ______ and ______ are often necessary when the disease advances.
Tracheostomy and maintenance on a ventilator
In ALS, the most common cause of death is
respiratory failure.
