Pharmacy Clinical Pearl of the Day: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

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ALS results in muscles that are reduced in size (atrophic), weak, and soft, or muscles that are stiff, tight, and spastic.

Clinical Pearl of the Day: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease

ALS is a disease that impacts the parts of the nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement.

Explanation:

  • ALS is the most common form of motor neuron disease.
  • As these motor neurons are lost, the muscles they control become weak and then nonfunctional, thus leading to muscle weakness, disability, and eventually death.
  • ALS usually strikes in late middle age (the late 50s is average) or later.
  • ALS results in muscles that are reduced in size (atrophic), weak, and soft, or muscles that are stiff, tight, and spastic.
  • Treatment options may include medications such as Rilutek, Radicava, breathing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nutitional and psychosocial therapy.

Sources:

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