MUSCOLOSKELETAL DISORDERS

Question 1

What are the three areas ALS affects in the human body?

Answer 1

1.Anterior horn of spinal cord (LMN)
2.Brain stem (LMN-hypoglossal region)
3.Cerebral Cortex (UMN)

Question 2

What is dysarthria?

Answer 2

Pain in joints

Question 3

What is dysphagia?

Answer 3

Difficulty swallowing

Question 4

Define Dysphonia.

Answer 4

Difficulty with speech

Question 5

Name signs and symptoms for ALS. What are early and advanced symptoms of ALS

Answer 5

Weakness, spasticity and/or stiffness and loss of fine motor control
Cramps in calves and moves in upper arm and advanced stages are muscles of the palate, pharynx, toungue, neck and shoulders; causing impairment of chewing, swallowing and speech; progresses to respiratory failure and death

Question 6

What is hyporeflexia?

Answer 6

It happens when skeletal muscles have a decreased or absent reflex (aka areflexia)

Question 7

What are the treatments for ALS? Is there other treatments that care be provided?

Answer 7

Riluzole is a drug for ALS that relieves symptoms such as fatigue, muscle pain and spasticity, excessive saliva and difficulty sleeping.

The only other treatment is supportive care provided by physical, occupational, and speech therapists; nutritionist; social workers and home care/hospice nurses.

Question 8

What is ALS commonly known as?

Answer 8

Lou Gehrig’s disease

Question 9

What does ALS stand for?

Answer 9

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis