What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

4 May 2021

It is an incurable and deadly degenerative neurological condition in which the motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord stop sending messages to the muscles, which progressively weaken and atrophy, and can affect the pectoral muscles, making it difficult to breathe and causing fatal respiratory failure.

The origin of this disease is unknown, which, in addition to motor neurons, also affects the spinal cord. However, some research indicates that there is a hereditary genetic relationship and a link with frontal lobe degeneration, as a possible risk factor.

Likewise, studies indicate that men between 45 and 60 years old, who smoke, and with a history of viral infections, are more likely to suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, an incurable disease that begins with the loss of muscle strength in the arms and legs.

Signs and symptoms Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Symptoms develop progressively according to the progress of the disease, the most frequent being:

Spasms and muscle cramps.
Lack of motor coordination.
Depression.
Speech difficulties.
Shortness of breath.
Facial paralysis.
Decreased body weight.
Tiredness and weakness.
Swallowing problems.
Hoarseness.
Behavioral changes.
In advanced stages, total paralysis.
Respiratory failure.

It is important to mention that cognitive ability, sensitivity, sphincter control, sexual function, and the five senses are never affected by the progression of the disease, which is irregular because it can progress differently in each specific case.

Diagnosis and treatment Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Once the doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and a series of complete neurological tests to rule out conditions and confirm the diagnosis, including:

Biopsy of the muscles and nerves.
Blood and urine tests.
Electromyograms to detect if nerves or muscles are working improperly.
Cervical spine myelogram.
Blood tests.
Lumbar puncture.
MRI.

There is no specialized treatment for this condition, but your doctor may prescribe some drugs to control the symptoms and slow their progression or prescribe the use of orthopedic devices to walk or perform other activities.

Similarly, support therapies can significantly help improve your quality of life, such as:

Physiotherapy and rehabilitation that can help with muscle contractures, constipation, and insomnia.
Occupational therapy.
Speech therapy.
Psychotherapy.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a condition that must be addressed by a multidisciplinary medical team made up of neurologists, physiotherapists, psychologists, occupational therapists, pulmonologists, and gastroenterologists, among others.

At the Neurological Center, a select group of highly trained and certified doctors in the various neurological specialties are ready to assist you with the quality and warmth that characterizes us.

Nervous system specialties

Neurology
Neurosurgery
Spine surgery
Pediatric neurosurgery
Neurophysiology
Neuro-rehabilitation
Neuro-pathology
Interventional neuro-radiology
Neuropsychology
Neuro-oncology
Neuro-otology
Epilepsy
Neuro-ophthalmology
Neuroimaging

Related centers and departments Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Neurology Center
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

alsa.org
nidcd.nih.gov
topdoctors.es
mayocilinic.org
medlineplus.gov
msdmanuals.com
medigraphic.com
Lara FGE, Scull TM, Zaldivar VT, et al. Esclerosis Lateral Amiotrófica, eficacia de su manejo multidisciplinar Instituto de Neurología y Neurocirugía. 2005-2017. Cuba y Salud. 2020;15(3):12-18.
Abal-Monteagudo R, Da Cuña-Carrera I, Alonso-Calvete A, et al. Fisioterapia respiratoria en pacientes con Esclerosis Lateral Amiotrófica. Una revisión sistemática. Arch Neurocien. 2020;25(4):9-22.
Charpentier MRJ, Loaiza QKV. Manejo clínico inicial de la esclerosis lateral amiotrófica. Revista Médica Sinergia. 2021;6(02):1-12.
Cervantes-Aragón I, Ramírez-García SA, Baltazar-Rodríguez LM, et al. Aproximación genética en la esclerosis lateral amiotrófica. Gac Med Mex. 2019;155(5):513-521.

How can we help you?

The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the Saludora Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.

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Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

Signs and symptoms Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Diagnosis and treatment Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Related centers and departments Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Fuentes:

Index

Specialist in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis