Symptoms and treatment of atrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is also known as motor neuron disease. The cause of the disease is still unknown. It is generally believed that it may be related to genetic and gene defects, or that the patient may be exposed to motor neuron damage due to living environment factors such as heavy metal poisoning. Treatments for ALS are also under investigation.

Clinical manifestations of atrophic lateral sclerosis

Early symptoms are mild and easily confused with other diseases. The patient may only feel some weakness, muscle twitching, fatigue and other symptoms, which gradually progress to systemic muscle atrophy and difficulty swallowing. Eventually respiratory failure occurs.

According to clinical symptoms, it can be roughly divided into two types:

1. Limb-onset type

The first symptoms are progressive atrophy and weakness of the muscles in the limbs, and finally respiratory failure.

2. Medullary onset type

When the limbs were still moving well, he had already started to have difficulty swallowing and speaking, and soon developed respiratory failure.

Treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Make a diagnosis and differential diagnosis as early as possible, provide neuroprotection and supportive treatment as early as possible, such as Rirutai and other drugs, and maintain regular follow-up.

1. General treatment

Supportive therapy: symptomatic treatment and appropriate exercise. For example, pay attention to the functions of the respiratory tract and digestive tract. If there is a lot of saliva, a small amount of antihistamine can be given; if there is a lot of sputum, nebulizer inhalation and expectorants can be given; if depression occurs, antidepressant treatment can be given. In addition, you should turn yourself over more often to prevent pressure sores. If eating disorders occur, nasogastric feeding or percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) is given.

2. Special treatments

Currently, the only drug internationally recognized and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ALS is Rilutek, and it must be used as early as possible.

3. Respiratory therapy

When breathing becomes difficult, ordinary oxygen or a bi-directional positive airway pressure (BiBAP) machine can be used to assist breathing. If further respiratory failure occurs, a tracheotomy and the use of an artificial ventilator are required.

4. Research progress

Currently, the international community is trying to use neurotrophic factors, antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, creatine, CoQ10, etc. in combination with Rilutai to provide protective treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However, the above treatment has yet to be confirmed by clinical trials. In addition, scientists are also conducting experimental research on gene therapy for this disease.