Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - ALS is a disease of unknown etiology and is one of the most common motor neuron diseases in adults. At the beginning of the disease, the symptoms that appear are mostly imperceptible, so they are often ignored. The disease is characterized by progressive muscle weakness in the arms, legs and muscles responsible for breathing, speaking and swallowing. Symptoms do not appear at the same rate of progression, in the same order and in the same places. Depending on the initial symptoms, approximately 2/3 of the patients develop the spinal form of the disease, in which the initial symptoms are weakness, followed by atrophy of the small muscles of the hands, in 1/3 of the patients, the bulbar form of the disease occurs, which begins with difficulties in swallowing and speaking, while in about 5 In % cases, the disease begins with isolated weakness of the respiratory muscles, which is manifested by dyspnea, orthopnea, insomnia, morning headache, fatigue, anorexia, poor concentration and frequent mood swings. In people with the bulbar form of ALS, there is a faster progression of symptoms. The disease occurs in over 80% cases between the ages of 40 and 70. When weakness of the eardrum and intercostal muscles develops, patients can no longer breathe independently.
Most eventually die of respiratory failure, usually within two to five years of the onset of symptoms, but 10 % patients survive for 10 years or more. When the disease appears earlier, a longer life expectancy can be expected. Since ALS affects only motor neurons, the senses of sight, hearing, smell and taste are unaffected, and in most patients, the eye muscles and bladder are also unaffected.
The disease does not affect the patient's memory, personality or intelligence, and patients often experience fear, depression and anxiety.
