Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - 1627 Words

Erica Jackson The Center for Allied Health Nursing Education Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 7/15/2013 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a terminal disease, also known as Motor Neurons Disease, Charchot Disease and Lou Gehrig disease. ALS destroys the Central Nervous System (CNS) and causes damage to the upper and lower motor neurons in the brain. Signs and symptoms are characterized as: muscles weakness, muscle atrophy, twitching and reduced muscle reflexes. Eventually the patient will become paralyzed and rely on a tracheostomy and ventilator for breathing (ALS Association [ALSA], 2010). With ALS, this disease process only last three to five years after being diagnosed, but patients with medical management have†¦show more content†¦The NeuRx DPS is implanted using a laparscope in an out-patient setting. The device is made up of five electrodes, four of which are implanted in the diaphragm. The fifth electrode is placed under the skin with an electrode connector. It then groups the five electrodes together to exit the skin into a holder that holds the electrode connector in place on the skin. The electrode connector connects a battery powered external pulse generator (EPG). The EPG then is able to sends electrical signals to the diaphragm. By acting as nerve impulses from the brain it sends out a message to the brain along the nerves to contract the diaphragm. This action helps by exercise and stimulate the intercostal muscle, allowing the ALS pt to have clear symmetrical lung sounds. Patients are able to control the EPG with two buttons, on and off. No other setting will need to be changed (U.S. Food and Drug Administration [USFDA], 2011). The NeuRx DPS can only be used in patients over 21 years of age and only patients who are able to breathe on there own, without the need of ventilator support. FDA approved the NeuRx DPS device under the Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) program. Approval date for the NeuRx DPS was approved on September 28, 2011 ( USFDA, 2011). ALS was first founded by a Jean-Martin Charcot. Charcot was a neurologistShow MoreRelatedAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis1478 Words   |  6 PagesAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrigs disease, is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. Jean-Marie Charcot was the first to recognize ALS as a distinct neurological disease with its own unique pathology. In ALS, nerve cells degenerate and deteriorate, and are unable to transmit messages to muscles. In around 90% of the cases of ALS, the cause remai ns unknown. Studies have concentrated on the responsibility of glutamateRead More Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Essay1644 Words   |  7 PagesAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is an insidiously developing, adult-onset, progressive anterior horn cell degeneration with associated degeneration of descending motor pathways. Despite increasing clinical and research interest, its cause remains obscure. Although many theories as to its cause have been proposed, no intervention has yet been shown to modify biologically determined motor system degeneration. There is no clear cut neuropathological diagnosis forRead More Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Essay1023 Words   |  5 Pages Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Motor Neuron Disease Maladie de Charcot Lou Gehrigs Disease What is the Disease? nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;ALS is an extremely deadly disease affecting the nerve cells that control the victims voluntary muscles. These nerves shrink and eventually die, leaving the muscles without stimulation. As these muscles go without stimulation, they too eventually shrink and die. The victim progressively weakens to the point of complete paralysis of all voluntary musclesRead MoreThe Impact Of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis1709 Words   |  7 PagesAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord (Plowman, 2015, p.1151). The motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles in the body. When ALS is in a degenerate stage, this causes paralyzation and loss of muscle control, which can lead to one’s death. The ALS Association is a national nonprofit organization that is dedicated to fighting Lou Gehrig’s diseaseRead MoreAnalysis Of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Genetics Essay1364 Words   |  6 Pages Analysis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Genetics Christopher Elliott Brandman University Analysis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Genetics Over the past decade, the medical community’s understanding of chronic illnesses has greatly increased. This increase is the result of improvements in technology and techniques that have clarified some of the unknown mechanisms associated with disease. For example, innovations in genetic sequencing have allowed researchers to analyze the geneticRead MoreAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)796 Words   |  3 PagesAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis is commonly referred to as ALS. This disease is also known to many as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is a disease characterized by the slow death of certain nerve cells in the brain and spine. As described by research done through the Mayo Clinic, nerve cells called motor neurons control the muscles that allow you to move muscles of your body. ALS effects these particular neurons and produce serious neurological effects that can start as muscle weakness that eventually leadsRead MoreSymptoms And Treatment Of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosi s Essay1181 Words   |  5 PagesAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS or sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurological disease affecting the nerves that control voluntary muscle movement. It is the most common type of motor neuron disease. The body isn’t able to operate as it normally does due to the muscles weakening overtime. As the disease progresses, it starts to damage nerves of other vital areas of the body. When the body isn’t able to breath the way it should causing respiratory failureRead MoreEssay about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis2209 Words   |  9 PagesAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ABSTRACT At this time, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) is a very confusing and elusive disorder. While the clinical presentation and diagnosis of ALS dates back to the early 1900’s, with Charcot being the first to scientifically report and document his findings, there simply has not been definitive evidence since that time for the etiology for ALS. This fundamental problem has befuddled the most qualified researchers and its ensuing answer has eluded theRead MoreEssay on What is Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?1064 Words   |  5 PagesAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis is short for ALS, and is often referred to as â€Å"Lou Gehrig’s disease.† Lou Gehrig was born in New York in June 19, 1903. In April of 1923, Lou Gehrig signed his first contract with the New York Yankees. He played for the Yankees for 15 years and lead them to 6 World Series between 1927 and 1938. Gehrig was known as a seven-time all-star champion, for his batting average and was named twice the American Leagues MVP; He later earned the name of the Iron Horse (Lou GehrigRead MoreEssay about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis1600 Words   |  7 PagesAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a motor neuron type disease. The disease was first discovered in 1869 by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot. Though we have known of this disease and its capabilities for well over a century; there is still information that is unclear. This past decade has been successful for research, giving us new information and optimism for years ahead. New hope is arriving in thoughts that stem cell research and gene therapy will advance our knowledge for a possible cure