Lou Gehrig's disease

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

 

a progressive neurologic disease characterized by degeneration of cell bodies of the lower motor neurons in the gray matter of the anterior horns of the spinal cord, some brainstem motor neurons, and the pyramidal tracts. Called also Lou Gehrig's disease.

The disease presents in adulthood, usually between the ages of 40 and 70, and affects men two to three times more often than women. The initial symptom is weakness of skeletal muscles, especially in the limb. As the disease progresses the patient has difficulty swallowing and talking, with dyspnea as the accessory muscles of respiration are affected. Eventually muscles atrophy and the patient becomes a functional quadriplegic. Mentation is not affected, so that the patient remains alert and aware of functional loss and the inevitable outcome. Although there may be periods of remission, the disease usually progresses rapidly, with death in 2 to 5 years. The cause of ALS is not known and there is no cure. Treatment is intended to provide symptomatic relief, prevent complications, and maintain optimal function as long as possible.

Patient Care. For the most part, ALS patients are cared for at home and are hospitalized only for diagnosis, when severe dysphagia demands an esophagostomy or gastrostomy for feeding, or when medical treatment is necessary for acute respiratory problems.

Intervention is planned and implemented according to each patient's needs at specific times during the course of the illness. In general, the major problems encountered are those related to (1) dysphagia and the need to meet nutritional requirements and avoid aspiration, (2) dyspnea and maintenance of blood gases within normal range, (3) aphasia and impaired verbal communication, (4) weakness, impaired mobility, and activity intolerance, (5) constipation, (6) pain and discomfort due to muscle cramps, and (7) alteration in self-concept and body image.

The patient and family also will need assistance in managing home care, coping with the effects of the illness, and maintaining optimal functioning in the patient. Community health nurses and home health care professionals and paraprofessionals should be available to provide a variety of services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, social services, mental health care, and medical and nursing care.

A resource agency that can provide assistance and information to ALS patients and their families is the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association, 21021 Ventura Blvd., Suite 321, Woodland Hills, CA 91364-2206, (800) 782–4747; http://www.alsa.org.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

Lou Gehrig's disease

(lo͞o′ gĕr′ĭgz)

n.

See amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

A chronic, progressive, degenerative, motor neurone disease, characterised by upper limb weakness, atrophy and focal neurologic signs.
Epidemiology Incidence 0.5–1.5/105, more common in men, usually >age 50; occurs randomly throughout the world with local clustering on the Kii Peninsula, Japan, and Guam, where it is associated with dementia, parkinsonism, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Clinical Loss of fine motor skills, triad of atrophic weakness of hands and forearms; leg spasticity; generalised hyperreflexia.
Management Possibly riluzole.
Terminal care Where allowed, one-fifth of all ALS patients choose to die by euthanasia.

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

Lou Gehrig's disease

A popular term in the USA for AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS. Lou Gherig (1904–41) was a baseball player for the Yankees of countrywide fame and popularity who, to the distress of all who knew him, began to develop signs of ALS in 1938.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

Patient discussion about Lou Gehrig's disease

Q. What are the presenting signs of ALS? Are the upper or lower extremeties affected initialilly?

A. The most common presenting sign of ALS is asymmetric limb weakness, usually starting with the hands (problems with pinching, writing, holding things etc.) shoulders (lifting arms above head etc.) or legs (problems walking).

Other presenting signs may be problems with speaking or swallowing, although these are less common.

You may read more here:
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/amyotrophiclateralsclerosis.html

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A. ¿Cuál es la pregunta?

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