Does amyotrophic lateral sclerosis skip generations in inheritance?

Written by Liu Shi Xiang
Neurology
Updated on September 26, 2024
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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease, may possibly be inherited through generations. The exact cause of ALS is still not very clear, but there is a certain genetic predisposition. Patients with ALS gradually experience symptoms such as limb weakness and muscle atrophy. As the disease progresses, it will eventually lead to difficulties in speech, swallowing disorders, and breathing difficulties, resulting in the patient losing the ability to take care of themselves independently and requiring full-time care from others. Currently, ALS is an incurable disease. The treatment available to patients includes medications to nourish the nerves and systematic rehabilitation training. However, this treatment can only improve the symptoms to a certain extent and enhance the quality of life but cannot stop the progression of the disease. Eventually, the patient will be confined to bed.

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Written by Li Qiang
Intensive Care Unit
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What to do with respiratory failure in the late stage of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is an irreversible disease, also known as motor neuron disease. Its motor function deteriorates progressively and irreversibly. Therefore, in the advanced stages, respiratory failure can only be managed with the help of a ventilator, which assists the patient's breathing mechanically. Consequently, patients typically require a tracheotomy in the late stages of the disease. Once connected to a ventilator via a tracheotomy, the ventilator becomes a permanent necessity. If at any point the ventilator is stopped, the patient would die due to lack of oxygen and the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the body. Therefore, they must wear the ventilator for life. Inevitably, this leads to respiratory-related complications, such as lung infections.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Can amyotrophic lateral sclerosis be relieved?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) refers to a motor neuron disease, and generally speaking, there are no effective alleviation measures for this disease. Currently, the specific causes and pathogenesis of this disease are not very clear. Various factors lead to the simultaneous damage of both upper and lower motor neurons in patients. Clinical manifestations include muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, and fasciculations. Additionally, patients may experience difficulties with swallowing, choking while drinking water, and speech disorders. In its most severe form, it can affect breathing, leading to respiratory failure. This disease progressively worsens, and the prognosis is generally poor with no effective relief methods available.

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Written by Liu Shi Xiang
Neurology
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Does amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cause leg soreness?

Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may experience leg pain, but leg pain is not the primary clinical manifestation of ALS. The early main symptoms of ALS include muscle atrophy and limb weakness. As the disease progresses, patients will further experience general muscle atrophy and weakness, which may manifest as difficulty in swallowing, speech problems, and respiratory difficulties. As the disease progresses, if the patient experiences extreme muscle atrophy and limb weakness, they may experience leg pain during movement, but this symptom is not specific. Therefore, when symptoms such as muscle atrophy and limb weakness occur, the possibility of ALS should be considered, and patients need to undergo timely examinations such as electromyography and muscle biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. If the patient also suffers from leg pain, other conditions such as sciatica and osteoporosis should be considered, and further examinations like bone density tests and lumbar disc magnetic resonance imaging should be conducted to clarify the diagnosis.

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Written by Li Qiang
Intensive Care Unit
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Is it necessary to perform a tracheotomy in the late stages of ALS?

Patients in the late stages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) must undergo a tracheotomy because, by this stage, they have completely lost their motor abilities, including the muscle strength needed for breathing. Consequently, they lack the strength to breathe on their own, leaving them unable to survive without a ventilator. They must rely continuously on a ventilator to breathe as they cannot do it themselves. Therefore, if a ventilator is needed over the long term, a tracheotomy is necessary. This is because other methods, such as inserting tubes through the mouth or nose into the trachea to connect to the ventilator, are quite uncomfortable. Comparatively, tracheotomy offers a bit more comfort, making it a necessary procedure for connecting to a ventilator for long-term use and achieving greater comfort.

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Written by Liu Hong Mei
Neurology
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How long does it take for someone with ALS to go from onset to paralysis?

Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis generally progress from onset to paralysis within three to four years. The condition typically involves the progressive degeneration, degeneration, and necrosis of brain nerve cells. Severe and irreversible damage can occur in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, also known as motor neuron disease. Motor neuron disease restricts our movement, speech, swallowing, breathing, and muscle activity, causing muscles to gradually atrophy and degenerate, leading to progressive weakness and paralysis. Even speaking, swallowing, and breathing functions degrade, potentially leading to respiratory failure and life-threatening situations, requiring proactive treatment.