ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease after the professional baseball player who died of this disease in 1941.  This condition is a degenerative neurological disorder of the upper and lower motor neurons within your body that results in deterioration and death of these motor neurons.  The death of the affected neurons eventually causes paralysis and muscle weakness, which progresses to cause respiratory paralysis and eventual death of the individual involved.  Functioning of the brain is usually not affected, so the person is aware of what is happening the entire time. 

Once diagnosed with ALS, your prognosis includes a time frame of approximately 3 to 5 years.  Death usually occurs due to respiratory failure within 3 to 5 years after the initial manifestations of the disease become apparent.  The cause of ALS is unknown…and currently there is no cure.  ALS tends to affect more men than women and it often develops between the ages of 40 to 70.  Signs, symptoms and findings of ALS may include:

• Fatigue
• Twitching and cramping of muscles
• Muscle weakness that usually begins in one part of the body
• Muscle atrophy
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty/unclear speaking
• Laboratory results will show an increased creatine kinase (CK-BB) level
• An electromyogram (EMG) will reveal a reduction in the number of functioning motor units in the peripheral nerves…or in your extremities.
• A muscle biopsy will also reveal a reduction in the number of functioning motor units of peripheral nerves, along with atrophic muscle fibers.

Total Home Health has a program that is right for you or your loved one who is suffering from ALS.  Due to there being no current cure, our focus will be on promotion of your current health and prevention of complications.  Keeping you comfortable and in good spirits will be of great importance to us.  To promote your health and depending on your condition, any of the following interventions may be carried out, including:

• Maintaining an open airway.
• Monitoring oxygen status and use of oxygen therapy if needed, or other measures such as a CPAP or BiPAP while sleeping to help maintain adequate oxygenation.
• Encourage clients to turn, cough and deep breathe at least every 2 hours so that pneumonia is less likely to develop.
• Encourage incentive spirometry in order to facilitate proper inflation of the lungs to allow for the most adequate air exchange to occur. 
• Facilitate communication if there is notable changes or unclear speech patterns.  We will use communication boards or refer you to a speech language therapist.
• Total Home Health professionals will assess you for any depression or difficulty coping with your diagnosis.
• Your ability to swallow will be monitored to ensure safety with oral intake.  Fluids will be thickened as needed.
• Measures will be implemented in order to conserve your energy.

Our professionals will always be attentive to your condition and provide client-centered care at all times to promote health, comfort and safety.  In addition to all the non-pharmacological interventions as mentioned above, there are certain medications that may aid in controlling your symptoms depending on how you are affected.  Your medical provider will go more into detail regarding the medication regimen that is right for you, then Total Home Health professionals will ensure that you receive your medications as prescribed. 

ALS is a rather quick disease…the time from diagnosis to when individuals pass away may only be a handful of years.  Counseling services may be recommended also for both the individual involved and their family in order to better cope with ALS, including a referral for hospice services due to the terminal phase of the illness in order to maintain optimal levels of comfort.

Respiratory status tends to be the main focus if you suffer from ALS, because after all…if you cannot breathe, you cannot supply your vital organs with the oxygen demand they need in order to function.  Therefore, our priority will be on maintenance of your airway and prevention of respiratory conditions that could hasten worsening of how ALS affects your respiratory system.  Enroll with Total Home Health today and let us work hard to promote your health with ALS and bring with us positive vibes and reassurance for both you and your family all the way until the end.