ALS disease, which causes progressive muscle weakness, negatively affects daily life. While difficulties in movements requiring fine skills such as holding a pen, turning a key, using a comb are among the main symptoms of the disease, experts point out that ALS disease is being imitated. Neurology Specialist. Dr. Celal Şalçini emphasizes that patients diagnosed with ALS and their relatives should confirm this diagnosis by getting opinions from more than one doctor.
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Every year, June 21 is commemorated as "World ALS Day".
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Neurology Specialist Dr. Celal Şalçini gave important information about ALS disease.
"ALS Disease is a disease that causes progressive muscle weakness. The main cause is the death of nerve cells called motor neurons that control the muscles," said Neurology Specialist Dr. Celal Şalçini,
"ALS Disease can start at any age in adulthood, but is usually seen between the ages of 40-70. Since the nerve cells called 'motor neurons' are located in the anterior horn region of the spinal cord called 'medulla spinalis', the disease is also called 'motor neuron disease' or 'anterior horn disease'. Due to the loss of motor neurons that move the muscles, a progressive weakness occurs in the muscles."
Can you hold a pen or turn your key?
Stating that the disease usually starts with the loss of function of the muscles at the ends of the limbs, Uzm. Dr. Celal Şalçini,
"There is difficulty especially in movements that require fine skills such as turning keys, using a comb, holding a mouse and pen. Patients may describe it as 'clumsiness' at first. Then there is weakness and it is a progressive disorder with gradual thinning of the muscles."
What are the symptoms of ALS Disease?
Noting that ALS Disease usually manifests itself as progressive muscle weakness, Specialist. Dr. Celal Şalçini listed the symptoms of the disease as follows:
"Progressive muscle weakness manifests itself;
-Difficulty lifting heavy objects,
-Fast fatigue,
-Inability to lift things,
-Difficulty swallowing
-respiratory distress
-Muscle wasting and thinning,
-Very frequent twitching in the muscles."
"However, it should be kept in mind that muscle twitching is also frequently seen in normal individuals and does not necessarily indicate a serious disease," warned Şalçini.
Only 10 percent of ALS is caused by genetics
Stating that there are some genetic types of ALS Disease, Specialist. Dr. Şalçini continued his words as follows:
"ALS can be seen frequently in families carrying certain genetic mutations. However, genetic cases constitute a very small part of the total cases. People who have ALS in one of their relatives do not need to fear that they will also have the disease. Because only 10 percent of ALS cases are caused by genetic causes. The remaining 90 percent of patients develop the disease even though their relatives do not have the disease.
How is it treated?
There is not yet a treatment that completely eradicates the disease and offers the chance of a complete cure. However, since intensive research is being carried out on this disease, there is the possibility of new treatments being found all the time. ALS uses a drug that is known to be effective on the progression of the disease. Studies have shown that this drug slows down the loss of muscle strength to some extent. Another drug for the treatment of the disease was approved for use in the USA last year.
Early diagnosis is of great importance!
Apart from these medications, there are treatments that can be recommended for respiratory problems that are common in ALS. Since decreased breathing, especially at night, can negatively affect the quality of life of patients, it is recommended to take precautions in the early period. In the later stages of the disease, special treatments may also be required for conditions such as difficulty swallowing, muscle wasting and difficulty in breathing."
Always get the opinion of more than one doctor!
"It is recommended that patients diagnosed with ALS and their relatives confirm this diagnosis with more than one doctor. The reason for this is that many patients have other diseases like ALS and can mimic ALS." Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Neurology Specialist Dr. Celal Şalçini concluded his words as follows:
"Although there is no definitive treatment for ALS, there is treatment for many diseases that cause muscle weakness. Therefore, the diagnosis must first be confirmed. ALS patients should definitely be followed by a doctor. Patients diagnosed with ALS and their relatives are likely to be emotionally worn out and have a difficult time during the disease process. In such cases, it is recommended to get support from a mental health specialist."
