# Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

- Link: https://carolinaona.com/neurology-center/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/
- Published: 2023-06-14T15:06:14-04:00
- Author: Dallas Clifton

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

# Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Treatment in SC

## Neurology Care in South Carolina

## **What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?**

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called ALS, is a disease of the nervous system
that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS makes it hard to move
your muscles, and over time, the disease gets worse.

## **Symptoms of ALS**

Different people with ALS have different symptoms. The symptoms depend on which 
nerve cells are damaged. Most people with ALS start with weak muscles that spread
and get worse over time. Some of the symptoms may include:

 * Problems walking or doing other everyday things
 * Tripping and falling
 * Leg, foot, and joint weakness
 * Weak hands or clumsiness
 * Speech that is not clear or trouble swallowing
 * Muscle cramps and twitches in the arms, shoulders, and tongue can cause weakness
 * Not knowing when to cry, laugh, or yawn
 * Changes in how you think or how you act

ALS usually starts in the arms, legs, hands, or feet. The disease then moves to 
other parts of the body and muscles get weaker as more nerve cells die. This will
finally make it hard to chew, swallow, speak, and breathe.

## **ALS Treatment**

Treatments can’t fix the damage caused by ALS, but they can slow how fast the symptoms
get worse. They can also keep you from getting sick and help you feel more relaxed
and independent.

For your care, you might need a team of doctors who are skilled in many areas. The
team works together to help you live longer and make your life better.

Treatments may include these or a combination:

 * **Medications –** There are specific medications the FDA approved for helping
   slow the progression of this condition. You may also get medications to help 
   with relief of other symptoms like:
    - Muscle spasms
    - Pain
    - Depression
    - Sleeping issues
    - Leg swelling
 * **Breathing care –** As their muscles weaken, most people with ALS have more 
   trouble breathing over time. Your doctor might check your breathing often and
   give you “mechanical ventilation”, which helps you breathe at night
 * **[Physical therapy](https://carolinaona.com/physical-therapy/) –** A physical
   therapist can help with pain, walking, moving around, balancing, and getting 
   the tools you need to stay on your own. Simple workouts can help you keep your
   heart healthy, your muscles strong, and your range of motion as long as possible
 * **[Occupational therapy](https://carolinaona.com/occupational-therapy/) –** Even
   if your hands and arms are weak, an occupational therapist can help you find 
   ways to stay on your own. Adaptive tools can help you do things like get dressed,
   brush your teeth, eat, and take a bath
 * **Speech therapy –** A speech therapist can teach you ways to change your speech
   so that it is easier to understand. Therapists can also help you come up with
   other ways to talk, like an app on your phone, a letter board, or a pen and paper

## **ALS Care in South Carolina**

If you have any of the above symptoms, call us at Carolina Orthopaedic & Neurosurgical
Associates and we will do what it takes to get you on a treatment plan that works
for you. Set up a meeting with one of our [Neurologists](https://carolinaona.com/neurology-center/)
at any of our locations.