Amylotropic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Latest News

People exposed to pesticides at work may be significantly more likely to develop Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS),  according to a new review of global evidence published.

About Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 

• It is a progressive neurological disorder that damages the nerve cells controlling voluntary muscle movement. These nerve cells are called motor neurons.  
  • One group, called upper motor neurons, extends from the brain to the spinal cord. 
  • The second group, called lower motor neurons, extends from the spinal cord to muscles throughout the body.
  • ALS causes both groups of motor neurons to gradually deteriorate and then die.
  • When motor neurons are damaged, they stop sending messages to the muscles.  As a result, the muscles can’t function. 
• ALS is often called Lou Gehrig’s disease after the baseball player who was diagnosed with it.  

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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Cause

• The exact cause is still not known in most people. 
• In a small percentage of people, ALS is inherited from a parent. 

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Symptoms

• Symptoms vary from person to person and worsen over time. 
• They depend on which nerve cells are affected.  
• ALS often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or leg, trouble swallowing, or slurred speech. 
• Eventually ALS affects the muscles needed to move, speak, eat, and breathe and can lead to serious complications over time.   

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Treatment

• Currently, there’s no treatment to reverse damage to motor neurons or cure ALS. 
• But some treatments may slow progression of the disorder, improve quality of life, and extend survival. 

News: TP