Remember the ice bucket challenge? It became viral on social media particularly on Twitter bearing the #icebucketchallenge which was mentioned 118,000 times a month after it started in 2014. It is a fundraising movement that raises awareness about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease, a motor neuron disease which causes the nerve cells to disintegrate and die. It is an appalling fact that there is no known cure. And as a complex disease, financial assistance is needed for scientific research as well as support to ALS patients. The success of the ice bucket challenge has proved that everybody can make a difference when there is cooperation. So, what do we know about ALS?
Angelic Love Home Care, a non-medical home care agency in Framingham, MA, will be your wings to assist your family member with ALS in his or her overall personal care needs and prioritize individualized care plans. We have a team of dedicated CNAs, personal care assistants and home health aides who work with compassion, empathy, and full responsibility in dealing with ALS patients.
Here are commonly raised questions to learn more about ALS.
- What is ALS?
The ALS Association defines the disease as a “progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.” The word A-myo-trophic is derived from Greek which means “No-muscle-nourishment.” Lateral represents the spinal cord where nerve cell pathways are located that control muscles. And because there is degeneration in the area, it can result in hardening or scarring, thus the word “sclerosis” means.
- What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary from person to person and early onset of the disease may experience dropping things, losing one’s footing, slurred speech, muscle cramps, twitching and episodes of involuntary crying or laughing. ALS attacks is painless and occurs in a gradual manner with a progressive muscle weakness that can develop to paralysis.
- What is the cause?
Unidentifiable cause. More research has been done to identify the cause of ALS and to test whether it has a genetic correlation or environmental causes.
- Who are at risk of ALS?
Based on the ALS Care Database, 60% of men were affected, 93% of whom were Caucasians. The disease occurs to individuals within the age range of 40 to 70. However, there are also reports that some people have developed ALS in their 20’s or 30’s. Studies show that military veterans who fought during the Gulf War were more likely to develop ALS.
- What is the mean survival years to those affected?
An average of two to five years of life expectancy among ALS patients. Although, each case may vary, some can live beyond five years.
Discussion about ALS can be difficult to explain because of the intricacies of the disease. Angelic Love Home Care ensures that your loved ones affected by ALS are given the appropriate time, attention and priority to their health care needs. Do you know somebody who has ALS? Share your experience by commenting at the bottom of the page or understand more of our services at www.angeliclovehomecare.com.