AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS

AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS

DEFINITION & DESCRIPTION
Commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a terminal illness which targets and breaks down tissues in the nervous system.   ALS is a disease which targets motor neurons; these are nerve cells which control muscle movement.   It affects nerve cells reaching from the brain to the spinal cords and the spinal cord to the peripheral nerves.   The nerve cells that are target die, leading to a progressive loss of the ability to move virtually any of the muscles in the body.  
ORIGIN OF THE NAME
  The word amyotrophic is Greek in origin.   A means no; myo refers to muscle, and trophic means nourishment.   Combine those together and it means “no-muscle-nourishment.”   Lateral identifies the areas of the spinal cord affected, and as this area deteriorates it leads to hardening or sclerosis in the region (ALS – Article).
SYMPTOMS
      People with ALS can have weak wasted muscles with tightness.   Muscle twitches and cramps are common; they occur because degenerating nerves become petulant (ALS – Graphic).  
The disintegration of the upper motor neurons causes spasms and increased tone in the limbs and abnormal reflexes.   The deterioration of the lower motor neurons causes muscle wasting and twitching.   The earliest symptoms of ALS are weakness in the arms or legs and weakening of the bulbar muscles (chewing, swallowing, speaking) (ALS – Article).

CAUSES
The true cause of ALS has yet to be discovered, but many causes have been suggested.   Results of recent research have involved toxic molecular fragments known as free radicals.   Some evidence suggests that a gush of events leads to excess free radical production inside motor neurons, which eventually leads to their death.   Why free radicals are produced in excess amounts is unclear, as well as whether this excess is the cause or the effect of the other degenerative process (ALS – Article).
TREATMENT
There is no cure for ALS and no treatment that can...